Drawing on conversations with dozens of fellow students, bankers, lawyers, and consultants, columnist and podcast host Simon van Teutem explores why ambitious, idealistic young people are so often drawn to big money and prestigious careers, even when they set out to change the world.
At the end of yet another long workday, as his hair drooping over his keyboard from exhaustion, Morgan Stanley intern Simon van Teutem finds himself wondering: What am I doing here?
Like many ambitious students, he wants to change the world. Yet night after night, he finds himself working late for an investment bank.
No breakthroughs in peacebuilding, climate innovation, or cultivated meat. Instead: spreadsheets, conference calls, and business-class flights. How did he end up here?
In this TU/e lustrum lecture, Simon offers a candid look inside the world of high finance and holds a mirror to anyone searching for purpose in their work. He also makes a powerful call to action for students, universities, NGOs, and governments: How can we prevent talent and ambition from going to waste?
About Simon van Teutem
Simon van Teutem (1997) studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at the University of Oxford. He is currently a doctoral researcher at Oxford, examining support for radical right-wing parties across Western Europe. A political journalist for De Correspondent, he has also co-hosted a podcast with renowned Dutch writer and commentator Bas Heijne for NRC.
Ticket reservation recommended
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SG & ITEC for bachelor’s students Please register for SG & ITEC by scanning your student ID at the venue prior to the start of the program.
More information about SG & ITEC can be found here.
This program is part of TU/e’s Lustrum week.
TU/e celebrates 70 years of curiosity.
This year, TU/e celebrates its 70th anniversary with a week full of events that reflect what has always brought the university forward: curiosity. For seven decades, TU/e has connected students, researchers, staff and partners through a shared drive to ask questions, explore new ideas and shape the future together. During the lustrum week, we celebrate this spirit of curiosity and collaboration, with activities that inspire, connect and invite everyone to join the conversation.