Wittenborg Graduate Starts New Career in Field of Sustainability

11.10.2024

Somayyeh Nowroozi Broadening Professional Horizons at IKEA

After 17 years working in the education sector in Iran, Somayyeh Nowroozi decided it was time to explore new professional perspectives. In addition to her experience as an English teacher, she had also worked in education management, which she realised could open new paths for her. To broaden her knowledge and build on her skills, Somayyeh chose to study for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Wittenborg, specialising in Education.

“I chose Wittenborg because I knew it was a reference when it comes to management. I had heard very positive things about the school from people I knew who had studied there, and that helped me make my decision. On top of that, Wittenborg’s six intakes per year were convenient to me, and I also got a scholarship, which helped me cover the tuition fees,” she underlines.

Another attractive feature for Somayyeh was the fact that Wittenborg helps its students find jobs in the Netherlands through its network. “I’d heard that Wittenborg organises events with employers, giving students the chance to connect with them and get a job. That really caught my eye and got me interested.”

The graduate says that her degree provided her with a great opportunity to learn about the business field. “I was very excited about starting a new chapter in my life, and by studying at Wittenborg I significantly enhanced my business knowledge. I learned about the strategic and operational aspects of businesses, along with concepts such as sustainability, SWOT analysis, KPIs and ESG, among others. This helped me a lot professionally, and I have applied this knowledge in my work.”

However, Somayyeh’s journey also included challenges like finding affordable housing and adapting to life in a new country. “The hardest part for me was being away from my husband and my son, who could only join me in the Netherlands after four months. It was really difficult, but I managed to overcome it by focusing on my goals and believing that this change would benefit my son’s future. Also, learning business was completely new to me and it wasn’t easy at first, but the lecturers and the school were always supportive, which helped me succeed.”

Somayyeh highlights that she used her extensive experience as an English teacher to study Dutch on her own and become skilled at it. “I could tackle all these challenges by trusting myself and my own power, as well as concentrating on my goals,” she says.

Reflecting on her time at Wittenborg, the graduate comments that what she misses the most are her friends and the school’s cosy and vibrant atmosphere.

Transitioning into a new career

While pursuing her degree, Somayyeh had the opportunity to intern at various businesses, including Royal Schilder, a painting company, where she worked as an administrative assistant and improved her Dutch skills. This experience also allowed her to become acquainted with Dutch work culture.

Later, she got an internship at renowned international furniture company IKEA’s headquarters in Haarlem, where she worked in the Talent Development Department. “I had heard a lot about IKEA, and I was interested in the company’s focus on sustainability; that’s why I chose it for my internship. During my time there, I participated in various HR-related activities including organising ‘Talent Day’, which was very special. This internship helped me understand how to create a more positive workplace culture.”

Soon after concluding her internship, Somayyeh applied for another position at IKEA and was hired as a Product Quality & Recovery Manager. In her current role, she is responsible for ensuring that products with defects are repaired and either resold at lower prices or donated to prevent the wasting of resources. Moreover, she helps the company address issues, improve the quality of its products and optimise sales processes, focusing on sustainability and cost efficiency. “One of our initiatives is the ‘Second Chance Corner,’ a specific area in our stores where we display and sell recovered products,” she says.

For Somayyeh, transitioning into this new career was both challenging and rewarding. “I believe that people seek variety in their lives, and I myself do not like repetitive things. In my view, when you stop evolving, you start dying. So, I am thrilled with my new career as it has allowed me to learn and grow, particularly in the field of sustainability. IKEA is like a university; we’re learning all the time there and there’s plenty of variety and interesting professional opportunities.”

Regarding the future, Somayyeh would like to keep building on her skills and developing her career at IKEA. She also plans to become fluent in Dutch.

The graduate advises current Wittenborg students not to give up in the face of difficulties, to always trust yourself and concentrate on your goals. According to her, perseverance, self-confidence, motivation, respect and assertiveness are essential for professional success.

“Everything in life is possible when you stay positive and work hard for it. When I look back at all I have achieved lately, I feel very happy that I made it in the Netherlands. I am especially glad to be giving my son the opportunity to grow up in this country; he’s 15 now and can already speak Persian, English, Dutch and German fluently. This makes me realise that all the challenges I faced were worth it.”