Alumni association Extrie connects econometricians after graduation
What happens to your university friends, fellow committee members, and network after you graduate? From now on, Aureus, Kraket and Extrie will keep you up to date with their latest events and activities.
In this edition, we are introduced to Extrie, the alumni association for former Econometrics students at VU Amsterdam. Since its founding on 15 April 1997, Extrie has been the link between alumni and the study association Kraket, as well as between alumni and the Econometrics department at VU Amsterdam. All bachelor’s and master’s alumni of the Econometrics & Operations Research programme at VU Amsterdam are welcome! Chairman Jonathan Bergh shares more.
Author: Char-Lee Nielen
Jonathan Bergh studied Econometrics and Operations Research at the VU and became an active member of Kraket. He is now chairman of Extrie: the alumni network for VU Amsterdam Econometrics graduates. In the run-up to a new series of activities for Econometrics alumni, he looks back on his student days and reflects on the importance of staying connected – even after graduation.
‘When I started at VU Amsterdam in 2018, I came from Maarn, a small village near Zeist’, says Jonathan. During the introduction week, he got to know Kraket. ‘I quickly clicked with people I still see today, years later.’ His involvement grew rapidly. He did committee work, organised study trips and ski holidays, and helped run events where students could connect with companies. ‘At first, it was mainly about fun, but gradually I also started to think about my future.’
"I always meet someone with a type of job I’d never have thought you could do with a degree in Econometrics."
Maintaining togetherness
That sense of connection remained strong even after his studies. ‘Studying is so much more than just attending lectures. All those activities made me feel truly at home at VU Amsterdam.’ Extrie focuses on maintaining a feeling of togetherness. ‘We mainly focus on the social side. Three times a year, we organise an activity – for example, a pub quiz, a wine tasting or an evening of pool. Usually, about 35 alumni participate.’
Valuable encounters
But these gatherings are more than just fun. They offer alumni the opportunity to catch up, share experiences and learn from one another. ‘People easily talk about their work, travels or how they manage their work–life balance. You recognise a lot in each other, even though everyone has taken their own path.’ You can also learn a great deal from the variety of career paths. ‘It’s interesting to hear what people have gone on to do after their studies. I always meet someone with a type of job I’d never have thought you could do with a degree in Econometrics. That's super interesting.’
Governance and ambitions
The board of Extrie – composed of former Kraket members from various cohorts – operates informally but effectively. ‘We get together a few times a year, cook together and brainstorm about fun and doable events.’
The ambitions for the future are clear. ‘We want to increase our visibility and ensure that new alumni feel welcome. If you don’t join an event early on, the barrier to joining later is often higher. We also want to further strengthen the collaboration with VU Amsterdam – there’s a lot of potential there.’
What began for Jonathan during an introduction week has grown into a network that continues to inspire him. And that is exactly what Extrie wants to continue to offer: a place where alumni not only reminisce, but also grow together.
In the photo: the board of Extrie. From left to right, top to bottom: Ivo Warmerdam, Jonathan Bergh, Pieter Maarse, Sun Wester, Nienke van 't Klooster.
Curious? Keep an eye on Extrie on LinkedIn, sign up for an event, or just drop a message to extrievu@gmail.com!
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