Alexandra Bremers

"The test says that I am a Campaigner, Communicator, and Coordinator. I feel like a Campaigner, because I am creative and passionate about what I do. In my type of work, it is important to be a good Communicator and Coordinator. When we work on a big project, there will be a lot of people working on different parts of it. All the people who work on it need to understand each other, so communication is important. It is also important to be a Coordinator, because we have to finish things on time and within budget. However, people are all different, and not everyone needs to be a Campaigner, Communicator and Coordinator to do this work - other skills are very important too!"

"I make products that are built inside the car, that the driver and passengers can use. Examples of products that I worked on are new types of displays (called Head Up Displays) that are projected in front of the driver. Sometimes, I am building prototypes of these systems. Other times, the prototype system is already there, but we do not know what the effect is of the system on how the driver feels. I will then set up experiments where we measure, for example, how well the driver drives, and ask the driver if they like the new technology. The outcome of my work is a very first version of a new technology, which will be developed further by other engineers, and finally put on cars that people can buy. What I enjoy most about my job is that I have the chance to work on truly new products, and that the work is very varied. It is very exciting to realise that the cars of the future will have my work in it."

"I am curious about the products that we use every day. As a child I wanted to become an inventor, and make products that didn't exist yet. I wanted to make inventions like Gyro Gearloose's Little Helper, or like the mechanical machines by the Baudelaire children from A Series Of Unfortunate Events. After some years of growing up and studying design, technology, science and programming, I am now working at the research Department of Jaguar Land Rover. I am not making anything like my childhood idols did, but I invent future technologies for the car. I am happy with where I am now, and would like to share my story with you.I am from the Netherlands, and finished school in the Netherlands too. In our school system you can graduate with a lot of courses, so I completed courses that were technical (mathematics, physics, chemistry, general science and biology), as well as courses related to culture and languages (Dutch, English, Ancient Greek, French, classic culture, art and philosophy). When I was 17, I thought that the best way to become an inventor was by going to design school. There is a famous product design school in the Netherlands, where you can learn how to make beautiful things by hand. I wanted to go there, but unfortunately I started preparing my portfolio (a big book with which you show how good your design skills are) too late, and was rejected. I then decided to study Industrial Design at Eindhoven University of Technology, where I learned a lot of creative, as well as technical skills. After graduating, I studied for a master's degree in Artificial Intelligence, at Utrecht University. Here I learned a lot about computers, the human brain, and how to do a scientific experiment. Whilst I was studying, I did a design internship in Amsterdam and a research internship in Taiwan, which gave me more experience and skills. I then wrote my master's thesis at Jaguar Land Rover Research, which led to my current role. Looking back, studying science and technology,"

"In my spare time I like to travel, either to visit family abroad (China or The Netherlands), or just to explore new places. Last May I went to New York, which I think is an amazing city! I really enjoyed seeing the city from the top of the Rockefeller building (where my profile picture was taken), looking at art in the MET museum and wandering through Central Park. There are a lot of places that you see in movies, and it feels really special to experience them in real life.When I am not travelling, you can find me on the back of a horse, behind the piano, running through the park or with a book in my hands. From time to time, I also like to go to a play or concert. Something that not many people know about me is that I used to fly airplanes without engines when I was 14. (I was training to be a glider pilot - I still hope to have time to get my full licence one day!)"

"A typical day at work will be at the office. I spend some time every day to reply to emails, reading and writing documents, and in group discussions. Sometimes I won't be behind my computer, for example when we are building a prototype system or installing things on a car. There are also days where I am doing an experiment outside, or where we visit another company. All in all, my work is very varied, and no two days look alike."

"After finishing school, I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design, and a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence. I was very active in extracurricular activities, and obtained work experience from international internships, as well as leadership experience from being in student committees. My third internship was at Jaguar Land Rover, which led to a permanent position."