Alicia Masero, Student Assistant – Project Engineering FOU

What do you do as Student Assistant in Project Engineering FOU?

I support engineering tasks within the foundation segment, mainly working with task plans and analyzing technical documents. Right now, I’m assessing the stability of Wind Orca for transporting components to the wind farm. It could be challenging at times but certainly rewarding once you achieve the result.

What has been the most interesting thing about your job until now?

One of the most exciting experiences so far was visiting Esbjerg to see Wind Osprey during a test period. Seeing the vessel for the first time was a bit surreal: it was enormous, much bigger than I had imagined. It was also fascinating to observe the busy life on board. Overall, it’s always interesting to learn more about our vessels and how they operate.

What makes you feel proud?

Knowing that I work for a company driving the transition to renewable energy is truly rewarding. We move from one project to the next, and I feel satisfied whenever I can contribute.

What is the best thing about working for Cadeler as a company?

The buddy system in the project engineering team is fantastic! Starting in a new environment, surrounded by new people and information, can be overwhelming, especially when you’re only in the office a couple of days a week. But your colleagues help you navigate everything, so there’s always someone to ask questions and learn from.

Our culture is very inclusive; people make you feel welcome and ensure your opinion is heard and valued. As a student, you might think your input doesn’t matter much, but here, my teammates always ask for my perspective. Recently, during a “Lessons Learned” meeting for a project, some of the improvements I suggested were considered. It was really rewarding to see my opinion make a difference.

What is the best thing about being a student assistant at Cadeler?

Our working hours are quite flexible. While you’re required to work a minimum of two days per week, it’s easy to balance work with university commitments. During the summer months, you can often take on additional hours, gaining more experience and furthering your career growth. Working alongside your studies also broadens your perspective. You might study a concept in class, but it’s through work that you truly learn how to apply it in practice.

What advice would you give to people thinking about taking the Project Engineering FOU route?

If you have the chance to work in your desired field, take it! Working alongside your studies is a great way to learn and build the foundation for your career. Timing is important, as student engineering positions can be competitive, but don’t give up and keep applying, as sometimes a bit of luck makes all the difference.