Give a warm welcome to Sander Jansen, the newest friendly face at DeKamer! As a second-year history student at Radboud University, Sander brings a fresh perspective, a love for people, and a refreshing calm to our community. Whether it’s sorting the post, solving tricky issues, or getting to know the stories behind our coworkers, Sander’s already made his mark and we’re excited for you to get to know him too.
A background in people and perspective
Born and raised in North Brabant, Sander didn’t have to travel far to find a meaningful role in Nijmegen. When a student opportunity came up at DeKamer, he applied with the hope of gaining some work experience alongside his studies, but the role quickly became more than just a student job.
“What started as mostly handling post and small admin tasks has grown into something that really puts me in contact with people,” he says. “That’s what excites me the most, being in the middle of people, understanding their situations, and helping wherever I can.”
Challenges and curiosity
As community manager, one of Sander’s tasks includes following up with coworkers on late payments. Something that can be tricky when every situation is different. “You don’t always know what’s going on in someone’s life,” he explains. “But that’s where working closely with Jeannine van der Linden, founder of DeKamer, helps. She knows many coworkers well and gives me the context I need to approach things with understanding.”
Sander’s also been involved in improving how DeKamer organises client information, helping streamline communication and reduce mix-ups with mail or records. “It’s a work in progress,” he laughs. “But it’s interesting because every challenge gives you a chance to learn something new.”
What a good workday looks like
For Sander, the perfect workday is a mix of calm and curiosity. “A smooth day is nice,” he admits, “but I also enjoy the unexpected. You have to think on your feet and adapt. That’s where the job becomes rewarding.”
He thrives in the in-between moments, when someone has a quick question, a letter needs tracking down, or a small issue suddenly needs creative thinking. “I think those moments keep the day interesting,” he says. “You’re not just sitting at a desk, ticking off tasks. You’re responding to real people, and that makes the work feel meaningful.”
He’s quick to credit Jeannine for making that process easier. “Whenever something unfamiliar comes up, I know I can ask her. That support makes a big difference.”
And for Sander, those little learning curves, whether it’s solving a new problem or just finding a more efficient way to help someone, are what make the role feel both challenging and worthwhile.
Family, music and a full house
Outside of DeKamer and his studies, Sander leads a very full life, quite literally. He lives in a shared house with eleven other students and also manages the home as part of a rotating leadership group. “I think it helps with understanding different kinds of people,” he says. “In both work and home life, you’re always learning how to listen, how to communicate, how to live alongside others.”
On weekends, Sander often visits his family, “They’re the loveliest people I know,” he says with a smile, and when he’s not around friends or studying, you’ll likely find him playing his guitar or out on the tennis court. “I like sports that are interactive. It’s more fun when you’re up against someone,” he adds.
Coffee, Rome, and staying focused
We wrapped up our chat with Sander a few quickfire questions:
- Coffee or tea? Coffee with no hesitation.
- Favourite European city? Rome.
- Best productivity hack? “Honestly? Just coffee. It works wonders.”
Sander is already proving to be a thoughtful and energetic addition to the DeKamer coworking community. Whether you’re a long-time coworker or just getting started, don’t hesitate to say hi, chances are, he’ll be right there in the middle of it all, making sure things run a little smoother for everyone.
