“It started with one box, but now there are about twelve”

For over 25 years, we have been connecting organizations with the best marketing, communication, and content professionals. We find suitable assignments or positions for junior, medior, and senior professionals. In Spot On, we would like to introduce them to you. This time, Spot On: Melita Mulder, Senior Web Editor at Rijkswaterstaat.

“While there have been times when I cursed overcrowded trains and trams and long traffic jams, being on the road is what I miss most during this crisis.”

As a freelancer, she often worked from home, but almost never the entire week. Until the corona crisis. A chat at the coffee machine, a lunch walk with colleagues: that's what content specialist Melita Mulder misses most.

Yet she also sees many advantages to working from home. 'For example, I go for a bike ride through the polder almost every morning around 7 o'clock. Furthermore, I found my exceptional 24/7 presence at home an excellent opportunity to start a vegetable garden project on my balcony', she says in an interview with Babbage. 'And during a conference call, I sometimes sit outside with my headphones on between the rocket and cucumber plants shooting out of the ground.'

You are working at Rijkswaterstaat via De Redactie. What exactly does your job as a senior web editor entail?

'In my current assignment as Web Editor for the website aandeslagmetdemilieuswet.nl At Rijkswaterstaat I am exactly in my place. There is no shortage of complex content, and I am allowed to tinker with the content both textually and in terms of structure. As part of the editorial team of the Information Point Environmental Act, I migrate content from various websites to this knowledge platform, mainly for professionals who have to deal with this new law.

'I am currently mainly occupied with editing the information sheets of the new Buildings and Living Environment Decree (Bbl). The Buildings and Living Environment Decree (Bbl) is one of the four General Administrative Orders (AMvB's) in the Environmental Act. I learn new abbreviations every day and am surrounded by hyper-specialists who are always prepared to provide text and explanation and with whom it is pleasant to work. I am also allowed to participate in webinars on various aspects of the Environmental Act. In short: the ideal working environment for an inquisitive person. And extra interesting because I am originally a social geographer'.

You have gained a lot of experience in the field of communications. Can you tell us a bit more about your background?

'In 2008, I started as a freelancer – two weeks before the credit crisis broke out. Despite the years of economic malaise that followed, I was fortunately never without an assignment for long. At the time, I planned to specialize in quality content for tourism. In the current corona crisis, I am glad I didn't do that…'

'In addition to freelance copywriting and translation assignments for small clients abroad, I increasingly did content migrations for large organizations in the Netherlands. I have always found project-based work the most enjoyable. A beginning and an end, and everyone working together with the same goal. In terms of tasks, I like to combine editing with (re)designing websites. I don't enjoy having to deliver edited texts in Word and not being allowed to interfere with the structure in the CMS. And I don't shy away from difficult material. Whether it concerns pension schemes or the technical specifications of central heating boilers: the more difficult, the more fun.'

The coronavirus has turned the whole world upside down. How do you experience that? And does it affect your work at Rijkswaterstaat?

'I have never been to my new workplace in Rijswijk. Everything has been done via Skype, Zoom, Google Duo and/or Webex. When I started on April 15, my new colleagues were still getting used to the new situation. However, the extensive virtual introduction rounds immediately made it feel like a warm bath. And despite the technical difficulties, I am now quite able to discuss a voluminous document remotely that is full of comments in the margins. But after such a meeting day, I am honestly tired of Zoom.'

How do you like working from home?

'Working from home also has its advantages. For example, I cycle through the polder almost every morning around 7 o'clock. Furthermore, I found my exceptional 24/7 presence at home an excellent opportunity to start a vegetable garden project on my balcony. It started with one box, but there are now about twelve. In between, I walk straight from my office to the balcony to water, for a quick aphid inspection or to harvest the ripe strawberries before the birds do. And during a telephone conference, I sometimes sit outside with my headphones on between the rocket and cucumber plants shooting up from the ground.'

What do you miss most about working on location at Rijkswaterstaat?

'As a self-employed person, I often work from home, but hardly ever the entire week. So I miss the chat at the coffee machine and the lunchtime walk with colleagues. And although there have been times when I cursed overcrowded trains and trams and long traffic jams, being on the road is what I miss most during this crisis. I noticed that when I was finally able to get in the car again to pick up my Rijkspas at a Rijkswaterstaat location nearby. It was wonderful to be on the road. What a liberating feeling.'

What challenges does working from home bring for you?

'I am often concentrated and tend to want to finish things. As a result, I sit on my desk chair for far too long. At the office, you always have to walk around a bit. At home, I really have to force myself to get up regularly. Furthermore, I miss the dynamics, the spontaneous interaction with people at your desk, in the corridors and on the road. A change of scenery, the unexpected. 'Changer de décor', as the French say. Because that always gives me new impulses and energy. So if I'm honest, I find it a bit boring at the moment'.

How did you find the contact with De Redactie during the mediation?

'I am very happy that I was able to secure this assignment together with De Redactie in these uncertain times. I really appreciate that the ladies of De Redactie were able to appreciate my qualities and immediately saw that there was a potential match. It is also nice to be able to switch quickly with a small team that also works efficiently at a distance. Compliments! Great to get started at Rijkswaterstaat through you.'

Are you also looking for a new challenge? We would love to talk to you and find your next step together.