Historical story

Switching jobs

Can science give us advice on everyday problems? In the podcast 'NEMO knows what to do!', scientists provide surprising insights. In this podcast from 'NEMO knows what to do!' Lizzy and Iris ask scientists for advice about switching jobs.

If you've been in the same job for ten years… isn't it time to look for a new job? The Faces of Science Adriaan Duiveman, Liza Cornet and Marij Swinkels tell you about your self-esteem in society, the difference between fighters and worriers and that reflection is your best friend.

NEMO knows what to do! · #2 Switching jobs?

In this episode, three Faces of Science speak again. Meet:

Adriaan Duiveman

Historian, Radboud University

Adriaan's PhD research is about how eighteenth-century Dutch people dealt with natural disasters. How does the past relate to the present? What are the recent problems? And what is really ancient?

Reading tips from Adriaan

  • Two weeks ago the famous anthropologist and activist David Graeber passed away. He wrote, among other things, the much-discussed book Bullshit Jobs (2018). In it, he analyzed the "nonsense jobs" many people have in modern service economies that make us deeply unhappy. Although the work history piece is not 100% accurate and its statistics are shaky, the central thesis is very strong and compelling.
  • Philosopher Thijs Lijster analyzes our unhealthy work ethic on De Correspondent in the essay 'Free time? We just want to work more'.
  • Adriaan previously wrote about the history of work and the 'heroic office slaves' in our TV series for the Young Historians weblog.

Marij Swinkels

Public expert, Utrecht University

Marij's PhD research is about the role of political leaders in the European Union during the euro crisis. How can we understand such complex issues? And how do those responsible for this issue make those difficult decisions?

Reading tips from Marij

  • More information about the model that Marij names.
  • A colleague of Marij makes the podcast 'Talking about organisation'. Also in that podcast are interesting episodes that relate to these kinds of questions. And wider still; about why organizations and the people within them do what they do.

Liza Cornet

Specialist Neuropsychology, Leiden University

Liza wanted to be a psychologist from the age of twelve. Now she likes the freedom inside and outside of work, the creativity most about being a scientist. But also that others see you as an expert, the possibilities to go abroad and that you meet many interesting people.

Read more about work at NEMO Kennislink.