Kiana Afzali, an Iranian engineer, found her calling in the bustling sustainable energy industry of the Netherlands. After completing her Master’s degree at Technical University in Delft (TU Delft), she decided to join Gradyent, a scaleup company, as a solution engineer. In this article, she shares her experiences navigating the job market, understanding the visa process in the Netherlands, and contrasting the energy sector there with that in her home country, Iran.
From Academic Life to Professional Career
The Thriving Energy Sector in the Netherlands
“The Netherlands has a very dynamic, growing, and active economy. As a young professional, you can easily find what you like to do, and there are plenty of opportunities for innovative and creative people.”
The Iranian Contrast
Navigating the Visa Maze
Life in the Randstad Region
“As a Muslim and an international, I feel it’s easier to live in the Randstad region because of the presence of a supportive community around me.”