Servicemonteur
Jeffrey Bijstra
A different job every day, always visible results
Jeffrey has worked at SMT since 2021 and is now a service technician, also known as a field service mechanic. What started with an internship in the workshop grew into an independent role on the service van. "I wanted more variety," he says. "And above all to have the feeling that you really complete a job." His working day starts at home. Check planning on his tablet, get into his bus and go straight to the customer. Sometimes he is on several machines in one day, sometimes he works for a week on one major breakdown. "That's what makes it fun. No day is the same and you get to places you would never get to otherwise." What gives him the most satisfaction is the moment when a machine is running again. "Customers are often tense when you arrive. When you solve the problem and they can get on again, you leave with a good feeling."
The interview with Jeffrey
What makes working in the field so attractive to you?
For Jeffrey, it is mainly in the variety and independence. "Outside, you are never just working on one machine. You switch gears a lot, think for yourself and see immediate results of your work. In addition, customer contact plays a major role. "You really have contact with people. You come in the moment something is wrong, and you help solve it. When they have a smile on their face again, it gives a good feeling."
How do you experience the freedom within SMT?
"It's great," Jeffrey says without hesitation. "You have a schedule, but if something goes overdue or you have to stay longer with a certain customer, that's no problem and we just think along and shift the schedule." The trust from SMT feels natural to him. "There is no constant looking over your shoulder. If you fulfil agreements and you just arrange the work well, that's OK. That sense of trust works very nicely."
What have you grown the most in as a mechanic?
Jeffrey comes from a car engineering background, so the switch to large machines took some switching. "I mainly grew in technical knowledge: hydraulics, analysing breakdowns, reading diagrams." In the field, he also learned to work more creatively and independently. "You don't have everything with you, so you have to come up with creative solutions and act independently. That makes you stronger as a mechanic."
Why SMT is right for Jeffrey
When Jeffrey has to sum up SMT in a few sentences, he mentions freedom, trust and support. "You are given responsibility, but you are never alone." The atmosphere among colleagues is good, and SMT makes an effort to connect everyone. "Even though you work independently a lot, you feel part of the team." For Jeffrey, it's simple: "If you like engineering, like working independently and want variety in your working day, this is the place to be."
