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Behind the Scenes of a Coaching Debut

UM Coach Café

A new role, fresh encounters, and heartfelt conversations: five alumni recently took their first steps as coaches during the UM Coach Café. In an evening full of inspiration and connection, Erica, Gerla, Loes, Marike, and Mike discovered what it means to support students and alumni in their career journeys. How did they experience this? We take you behind the scenes of their coaching debut.

On Tuesday evening, 13 May 2025, the Bold Rooftopbar in Maastricht was filled with motivated students, young alumni, and a dedicated group of coaches for the UM Coach Café. For many participants, it was an opportunity to review their future plans. For some coaches, it was their very first step into a new role: that of a coach at this unique career event.

One of these new coaches is Erica van den Oever. With a healthy dose of curiosity and nerves, she embarked on her new role: “I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. It was a bit nerve-wracking—how would it go, easy or not, what would the students expect? Could I meet those expectations?”

Let the conversations begin!

The evening started in a relaxed atmosphere. Over a shared dinner, the coaches got to know each other better and received a brief explanation of how the Coach Café would proceed. Having already explored the basics of coaching students in an earlier online training, they were well-prepared and eager to get started.

From 7 pm onwards, students and young professionals trickled in. They could immediately join a coach at one of the tables for the first round of conversations. Some of the new coaches already had experience. Take Loes Simons, for example, who works as a child coach but quickly noticed the very different energy at the Coach Café: “I also work as a child coach, which is of course one-on-one, but during the Coach Café, I really enjoyed experiencing and gently encouraging the power of group dynamics.”

“Especially the variety of cultures and diversity in ages made it extra special. Each with their own perspective, yet many shared struggles, wishes, and ambitions.”

Erica van den Oever

With more than 100 attendees, the Bold Rooftopbar was buzzing with energy. Yet, the liveliness did not diminish the impact of the evening for coaches and participants alike. Coach Marike Mulder even managed to create a moment of silence and reflection. She gave the students an assignment to turn inward: “I asked the participants to take several deep breaths, close their eyes and imagine their dream: what are you doing, alone or with others, what does it look like, in what environment, etc.? Afterwards, they wrote this down for themselves.” Despite the bustling surroundings, the students truly managed to focus: “I found it wonderful to see that they were able to take that moment of calm and how much they wrote afterwards in their own notebooks.”

Honesty about uncertainty

During the various rounds of conversation, where students and alumni reflected on their talents, dreams, and next steps, the coaches also observed the many uncertainties and struggles at play. Coach Mike Lee remarked: “What struck me most was their openness and honesty about their uncertainties - some were unsure of their strengths, while others harboured fears of making the “wrong” choice."

Erica also recognised recurring uncertainty and struggles among students from diverse backgrounds, ages, and cultures: “I sat with a Master’s student from Tunisia, one from Mongolia, a student from Greece, and a Master’s student from Nigeria. From their own backgrounds, cultures, and ages, they found it a struggle to find a place that suited their education and ambition. Yet there was one thing they all agreed on: the Netherlands is one of the nicest countries to live, work, and reside in.”

That so many students and young professionals face similar uncertainties and questions creates a sense of recognition—not only among the coaches but especially between the participants themselves. Loes puts it well: “I also think it’s valuable for students and alumni to realise that everyone is searching and facing challenges, and that it can be comforting to talk about this with one another.”

Coach Café 13 mei 2025

Strengthen your network: Living LinkedIn

The evening concluded with the plenary session Living LinkedIn. In this interactive round, participants could tap into the vast network brought together by everyone present. Looking for a job in marketing? Perhaps an alumnus knows a marketing manager. Searching for an internship in Tanzania? Chances are one of the coaches knows someone in that region. Living LinkedIn demonstrates the power of a network and how easy it is to take that first step when you do it together.

Both coaches and participants were very enthusiastic about the final session. “I really loved seeing the effect of the Living LinkedIn game. It was hugely interactive, helpful, and a fantastic method to show just how much more you can do with LinkedIn to reach your goals,” says Loes. Marike was also impressed: “It was amazing to see how it worked—how participants started by tentatively asking questions and by the end, more and more were eager to ask something. I think that’s because they realised you can simply ask a question and people are willing to help you. You don’t have to do it alone.”

Not only students and alumni benefited from this session; coaches found unexpected advantages too. Gerla van Breugel shares: “A fun and unexpected side effect was that I had a great reason to reconnect with people in my network I hadn’t spoken to in ages, because I had promised to do so during Living LinkedIn.”

“Almost all students left with new ideas and contacts. Living LinkedIn gave an enormous positive boost, the icing on the cake.”

Erica van den Oever

Witnessing transformation

During the Coach Café evening, the coaches were not only conversation facilitators but also witnesses to the personal growth happening in many participants. Students who were initially reserved and quiet confidently grabbed the microphone during Living LinkedIn later that evening to expand their network. Mike recalls one particular case: “One student, who had initially felt adrift, left with a plan to explore a gap year focused on sustainability projects/NGO - a passion she had kept hidden but had always harboured. Witnessing such clarity emerge in just two hours was incredibly powerful. It underscored the significance of these spaces for reflection and connection."

Gerla is especially proud of all the (almost) graduates she coached that evening. “Their stories gave me energy and confidence in the future, but sometimes it broke my heart to see and hear so much doubt about their own abilities,” she reflects. “What I wish for these young people is that they also feel proud of what they have already achieved and don’t just focus on what they don’t yet have—the coveted job or that Master’s degree.”

One thing the coaches all had in common: they went home feeling fulfilled. Mike looks back on the evening with a smile: “Leaving the Café, I felt rejuvenated, hopeful, and proud to be a part of their journey, even for a brief moment.”

Coach Café 13 mei 2025

“As we engaged in guided discussions and peer conversations, I observed a remarkable transformation. Students who initially hesitated began to articulate clearer goals.”

Mike Lee

Want to become a coach?

Are you a UM alumnus and keen to help young talents find their way in their careers? Then the Coach Café might be for you. No prior coaching experience is required—just an open mind and a genuine willingness to listen. Get in touch via alumni@maastrichtuniversity.nl or express your interest through the Stay Involved form.

Coach Café is organised by UM Career Services and the UM Alumni Office.

 

Text: Janneke Haemers

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