Ditte Marie Hansen
INTERVIEW
Recently there have been many changes to the Board and Regional Representatives team of YWPDK. This meant that we needed to say thank you and bye to some very central people who have been leading the network in the previous years. We will in this series of interviews put focus on the people who have been fundamental to where the network is today. In this edition we present Ditte Marie Hansen, who has been an active member and Regional Representative in the Central Region. She has organized many interesting events in the past years and contributed a lot to continue the activity of the network during the pandemic.
Thank you Ditte for your hard work and contribution to the network!
When and why did you join the YWPDK network, and what led you to run for a position as regional representative in Aarhus?
I became an active member after the 6th YWP conference in Odense in 2020. Lisbeth was the regional representative of Aarhus at that time and arranged a lot of online events during covid-19 and I tried to join and participate in all the activities in Aarhus. In summer 2021, Lisbeth wanted to change fields and suggested that I would take over as regional representative. Lisbeth and I were both regional representatives for 6 months and I was the regional representative from Christmas 2021 to June 2022.
"I hope that the network will continue to have room to support each other in the insecurities that is natural when being new in the sector."
Where do you see the role of the YWPDK network in the Danish water sector and for the young water professionals in Denmark?
I can see just in the time that I have been a part of the network, that YWPDK has been given a larger voice in the sector and is involved in decision making. I hope the YWPDK will continue that path and the current high level of professionalism, but I also hope that the network will continue to have room to support each other in the insecurities that is natural when being new in the sector. I believe that this can only be achieved through the physical events where you meet face to face. The networking among other professionals was for me the main goal of being a regional representative.
What did you gain personally from joining YWPDK and by contributing to the network?
I have gained a network across consultants, municipalities, universities, and our trade association. I see great value in the network and the contacts that it has given me. I have enjoyed the physical events where you could meet other professionals new in the Water Sector. We face some of the same challenges since we are new in the sector, and it has been valuable for me to share the experiences.
"The networking among other professionals was for me the main goal of being a regional representative."
What would be your advice to someone contemplating on joining the network or increasing his or her activity?
I would advise everybody to be as active as they have time for. I think it is important to address that you can be active on many different levels and still gain a lot of value from the network. I have arranged events and I was so happy for everybody who participated and came to all the events! That support encouraged me/and the other organizers to do other events.
Will you continue your activity in the network, can we expect to run into you at future YWPDK events?
I will continue to be as active as possible, but my work in YWPDK has primarily been volunteering work after hours and I know that my personal life will take up at bit more of my time after my baby is here.