Reflection of Anneleen after 6 months at Clusity

7/8/2023

Last day at Clusity (for now :) ) where we gave Anneleen some useful gadgets for her adventure in Asia after all. ✈️🌏

Six months ago, I enthusiastically and a tad nervously began my adventure as a diversity and inclusion consultant intern at Clusity. The first day I walked into the Cronos building felt like the beginning of an exciting journey of discovery in the Tech sector that was unknown to me at the time. With curiosity about my new colleagues and the challenges ahead, I was ready to be fully immersed in this exciting world.

Andnow, after a crazy rollercoaster of experiences, I feel the time has come to share my thoughts with you. Because before I fully focus on my future professional path, I made the decision to take a trip to Southeast Asia. There I would like to explore, meet and enjoy, as well as get myself inspired so that I can start my next chapter full of fresh energy.

Even before beginning my internship, I was quite impressed with the power of networking. I was introduced to Clusity via-via a community member. The sense of community was quickly confirmed at the first Clusity event. It was wonderful to see how people supported and motivated each other to grow, both personally and professionally. And guess what? It works! Working together and encouraging each other opens up limitless possibilities. That evening, I made valuable connections of my own, which I have actively pursued throughout my time at Clusity (and will cherish for a long time to come).

To me, diversity and inclusion are much more than just buzzwords; they are vital pillars. It's about creating an environment where everyone is valued and respected, regardless of their background. And it was an honor to participate in creating such an environment for women in Tech (& allies, of course). Only by embracing diversity and inclusion can we build a strong and innovative Tech industry ready for the challenges of the future. Thus, we must harness diverse talents and develop products that reflect the diversity of our world. In this way, we will achieve a better, fairer and more progressive world for all.

From the very beginning, my input within Clusity was genuinely valued. As a team member, I was given a lot of freedom and responsibility, which made me feel valuable and able to make a real impact. I was given the opportunity to put my academic knowledge into practice and saw the tangible results of my efforts. The feeling of contributing to positive change is simply indescribable. Together we accomplished projects that helped raise the visibility of women in Tech, provide educational opportunities and promote equal opportunity for all. It was incredibly satisfying to see how small changes can have a big impact.

I can confidently say that my expectations have been exceeded and I am incredibly grateful to have been able to be a part of this adventure. I would like to thank the entire Clusity community and my wonderful colleagues for this unforgettable experience. For all students looking for an internship or workplace where you can really make a difference and where you are welcomed with open arms, I can only recommend Clusity!

Goodbye and keep surrounding yourself with inspiring people!

-Anneleen Matthé