Finding SPGL

Following years of dedication, I graduated in June 2025 as a Biomedical Scientist at KU Leuven, opening the door to endless possibilities, but like many graduates, I wasn’t entirely sure what direction I wanted to take next. After enjoying my last student summer, I started applying for jobs. Every day I searched LinkedIn, but I quickly realised that finding a first job wasn’t as straightforward as I thought. There were many vacancies, yet most required experience, and many applications received no reply at all.

It was a bit discouraging, until I received a message from Ilke on LinkedIn and that changed everything.

First Impressions of SPGL

My initial video call with Ilke felt unexpectedly natural and warm, It didn’t feel like a traditional interview, more like an open conversation. There was no interrogation, no pressure, just a genuine interest in who I was and what I wanted.

Soon after, I visited the SPGL office for my onboarding and introductory training sessions. From the very first day, I felt welcomed and more importantly, I felt valued.

SPGL struck me as open, friendly, and accessible, and throughout the entire process I felt that the team genuinely cared about helping me find the right project. Being part of SPGL means you’re supported every step of the way, your success is their success.

Even the colleagues from the UK office made the effort to meet me over Teams very early on, which made me feel connected to the bigger SPGL family.

I’m already looking forward to the upcoming team events; dinners, drinks, you name it! It’s obvious how much SPGL value connecting with their staff on a regular basis.

Why Consultancy Was The Right Start

Because I didn’t yet know which direction to pursue, consultancy offered me exactly what I needed, a chance to try different environments, roles, projects, and to discover what energises me most.

The transition from theory to practice felt exciting but challenging. Everything was new, but that’s exactly what made it so interesting, I was learning something every single day.

I had expected to learn a lot technically, but what surprised me most was how quickly I grew personally. Communicating in English, giving project updates, speaking up during meeting. These were all things I used to avoid, and now they’re simply part of my workday.

The moment I realised: “I’m no longer a student – I’m an engineer now.”

 Looking back at my first weeks at SPGL, there was one moment that perfectly captured my transition from student to professional. It happened when I was asked to independently draft and complete a qualification document for the first time. Suddenly, my work wasn’t a school assignment anymore, it was something the project team would actually use. Seeing my own input reflected in an official document, and receiving feedback from experienced colleagues, made me think, “okay, this is real now, I’m actually contributing!”

 Another defining moment came a few weeks later. Several colleagues went on holiday, and I temporarily took over some of their tasks. No one was standing right next to me, no step-by-step guidance; just trust, responsibility and the expectation that I could handle it. That was when I truly felt “this is it, my career has officially started.”

My First Engineering Project

My first project role was as a Project Engineer on the Eagle project at Lonza in Geleen, where the goal was to prepare the site for the production of new mRNA vaccines. Although my studies were more clinically oriented, the project still aligned with my deeper motivation, contributing to work that ultimately benefits patients.

My role and responsibilities

Most qualification tests were already completed when I joined, so my role focused on verifying everything, ensuring the documentation is correct and complete, and sending it for approval.

Collaboration is key! I worked with many different teams; production, quality assurance, and others involved in equipment qualification. I loved the collaboration aspect, sharing knowledge, learning from each other, and working together toward a common goal.

New Skills

My theoretical background helps me understand safety standards, pharmaceutical procedures and documentation principles. But more importantly, my analytical mindset and willingness to ask questions have been essential in quickly finding my way in this complex environment. I learned to stay curious, to ask questions and to not be afraid to admit when I don’t know something.

The biggest surprise?
I was surprised on how detailed and intricate the qualification process really is. I knew it required precision, but I didn’t expect the systems to be so complex or the protocols so rigorous but all for good reason, of course safety and quality have to come first.

Tips for Future Graduates

If you’re a final-year student doubting whether you should apply for your first job, especially at SPGL here’s my advice, just do it!

The first conversation is a relaxed affair, the people are incredibly approachable, and you’ll get real opportunities to grow. Even if you don’t know your exact career path yet, SPGL is a great environment to explore, learn and shape your future.