The surprising career switch of Clara
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How do you go from studying animal behaviour to finding your place in the world of tech and talent? Where did Clara van der Voort Maarschalk’s journey begin? Discovering what drives her: understanding behaviour and building connections. At first, she thought her interest would lead her into veterinary medicine, but soon it became clear her fascination was somewhere else. With support from TalentSpark, Clara found the direction that felt right for her.
After completing her Biology degree in Utrecht, with a focus on behaviour, evolution and marine biology, Clara decided to broaden her horizon. She moved to Antwerp for a master’s programme and added a business component to her studies.
During her master’s research, it became clear that the academic world wasn’t where she wanted to grow. The idea of observing monkeys in a zoo for three months and then spending a year analysing the results turned out to be the ultimate confirmation. Working in a commercial environment and building something new together with people is what truly gives Clara energy.
Ultimately, it was the company culture and the collaboration with colleagues that aligned perfectly with what I was looking for.
With a master’s degree in hand and a clear goal, the search for a job began. The step from the academic world to the job market felt like a leap into the deep.
Honestly, I had no idea what was out there. Big companies, big names, you can imagine it. But ending up here is something I could never have predicted, because I did not even know it existed.
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The huge range of options and unclear job titles made it difficult to choose a direction.
When you start searching on your own, the number of options is enormous. It can feel overwhelming. How are you supposed to choose something from all that? Some roles have names that make you wonder what they actually mean.
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Through a friend, Clara came into contact with TalentSpark. She started with coaching, but quickly discovered where her real needs were.
I realised that I do know what I want, but I simply do not know what is out there on the job market.
From that moment on, the collaboration shifted from coaching to personal guidance in finding a job. She was actively approached with roles that truly fit her. She discovered new companies and gained a clearer picture of what she was looking for.
Eventually, the ideal role appeared: Customer Success Manager at Selection Lab, a tech startup that helps companies with data driven selection. The match turned out to be perfect, especially because of her background.
I always say that behavioural biology is basically the psychology of animals. So in a way, it is not that far off.
What convinced her the most was the connection with the people.
The conversations you have with the people you will eventually work with showed me very quickly that it clicked. It felt smooth and natural.
Clara has completely found her place now. She works in a young team, learns every day and gets plenty of space to take initiative. Her story shows that your path does not have to be straight to arrive at the right destination. With the right guidance, you find a role that fits not only your background but also who you are.