Petra Wassenaar: “We really do feel privileged here, honestly”
She attended an American high school, did an internship in Germany, took a minor in Italy and worked in Austria for a while. But she always returned to Friesland. “Don’t get me wrong, I still love travelling. And I’m on the road a lot for work too. But as soon as I drive back into the province, I’m home,” says Petra Wassenaar, sales manager at Ekwadraat. “Exactly where I should be. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else but here.”
Friesland is so much bigger
“I used to think: when I grow up, I’m going to leave here. I’m going to set off into the world.” Petra grew up in Joure. It was an idyllic childhood, with a little rowing boat in the garden, endless treasure hunts through the village and swimming trips to the little beach just round the corner. But the older Petra got, the smaller Friesland seemed. “I wanted more, further, bigger. To discover new places, meet different people.” And she certainly saw the world. Her International Business degree took her all over Europe. “But the strange thing was, time and again I felt that longing for Joure. For my friends and family, the peace here and the space.” What’s more, Friesland turned out to be much bigger than she’d thought in her teenage years. With so many more opportunities than eighteen-year-old Petra had suspected at the time.
“And one thing led to another”
“I had no idea, really. That there were so many great companies. Right under my nose,” laughs Petra. After her adventure in Austria, she decided to look for a job in Friesland. “And one thing led to another.” Through her work at companies including DMT Milieutechnologie and GroenLeven – all of which are committed to sustainability – she became part of a ‘green network’. “Through that network, I came into contact with a colleague from Ekwadraat. They asked if I fancied popping in for a cup of coffee. Of course I did!” After a proper cuppa and a good chat, the decision was made: Petra was offered the role of sales manager at the Leeuwarden-based sustainability consultancy. “A great job and absolutely fascinating!”
“I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else but in Friesland”
![Petra Wassenaar salesmanager bij Ekwadraad groen netwerk gebouw buiten]()
Petra Wassenaar Sales and Project Manager at Ekwadraat
“If you really want something, doors will open for you”
“Look, of course the Randstad is bursting with opportunities. But there are just as many here. After all, I’ve had plenty of opportunities here too. And I’ve found some brilliant employers,” says Petra. “And there are more and more opportunities emerging in the North as well. My boyfriend’s IT consultancy firm, 2-cnnct, for example, decided to open a branch in Leeuwarden, alongside its head office in Rotterdam. To attract IT professionals from the North.” According to Petra, the fact that many young professionals still set their sights on the West is partly because Frisian companies aren’t yet visible enough. “But there’s also a role for the young professionals themselves here,” she nods. “Just pop into a place, ask what’s possible. If you’re really keen and have the right attitude, those doors will open of their own accord. That’s hugely appreciated here in the North. I bet you’ll find a job that suits you perfectly.”
“I never get stuck in traffic in Friesland”
What’s more, you might just find a whole lot more than that. “Honest and loyal colleagues, for a start,” says Petra. “They can be critical, mind you, but they’re always fair and genuine. What you see is what you get. In Friesland, we don’t sell you a load of rubbish. I love that. It’s also how I approach my work.” And what about the good life that comes with it?
And what about the good life that comes with it? “I never get stuck in traffic. For the price of our house with its lovely garden, you’d only get a small flat in the West. And if you hop on your bike, you’re surrounded by nature in five minutes. Isn’t that a real luxury?” laughs Petra. “My boyfriend and I often say to each other: we’re so lucky, we live such a lovely life. We really do feel privileged, honestly.”
Just like in the old days
Today, a little rowing boat bobs in the water behind the house. Just like the one Petra used to have. On warm summer days, the family walks to the little beach from her childhood. Just like in the old days. And it’s only a matter of time before Petra’s little boy goes on endless treasure hunts through the village. Just as she used to do herself. “I used to want to leave here, but now I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
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