Since September, the meteorology team at Infoplaza has been strengthened by two young and promising meteorologists in the weather room in Houten: Matthijs Koning (25) and Verena Mülder (24). With their passion for weather, they bring new energy and a fresh perspective to the organisation.
From rocks to weather
For both meteorologists, the path to a career in meteorology began at a young age. However, for Matthijs – a serious and thoughtful young man – it didn’t start directly with weather. His love for geography led him to study Earth Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit. Yet, he found this field to focus too much on "rocks" and went on to specialize in Meteorology and Air Quality at Wageningen University. His interest in maritime meteorology grew quickly. “In hindsight, it’s not surprising,” Matthijs explains. With two grandfathers who worked in maritime shipping and a father active on oil rigs, he heard stories from a young age about the impact of fog and storms. “I still remember how often my father couldn’t come home because helicopters couldn’t fly due to the fog.”
Verena grew up with a sharp sense of observation instilled by her parents, both biologists. “During vacations, while my parents observed plants and animals, I would focus on the mountains and the sky,” she says with a smile. With a bachelor’s degree in Earth Sciences (yes, lots of rocks too) and a master’s in Climate Physics, she applied for a position as a land meteorologist at Infoplaza. The company was already familiar to her: she had gained practical experience as a meteorology assistant on the editorial team during weekends in her studies—an ideal steppingstone to her new role.
Major responsibility
After several months of intensive training, Matthijs and Verena started handling their shifts independently in December. As a maritime meteorologist, Matthijs creates weather forecasts worldwide to support operations at sea. Verena, as a land meteorologist, focuses on weather forecasts and warnings in the Netherlands and Belgium, advising clients like ProRail, with whom she is in daily contact. “It’s fascinating to see how your forecasts directly influence important decisions for clients,” Verena shares. “It’s a huge responsibility.”
Verena: "It’s fascinating to see how your forecasts directly impact key decisions for clients."
Matthijs finds daily weather endlessly interesting: “Understanding what’s happening in the atmosphere and communicating those insights in an understandable way is the beauty of this job. The weather is always different, especially when you’re covering the entire globe during a shift.” He notes that making predictions for squall lines and typhoons always requires extra care. “The power and energy of a super typhoon are incredible,” Matthijs says. “Accurately informing clients is crucial. That’s when you really feel the weight of responsibility.”
Matthijs: "The weather is always different, especially when you travel the world during your shift."
Verena has quickly learned how crucial the course of a storm depression can be. A deviation of just a few dozen kilometers can have massive consequences in a small country like the Netherlands. Both meteorologists agree that their studies lacked training in operational meteorology, which they found to be a significant gap. Fortunately, they quickly gained this knowledge from experienced colleagues.
Boring? Not at all
The two young meteorologists often work on the same island desk, sitting across from each other. Matthijs sometimes chuckles at the complaints of land and media meteorologists about “boring weather” in the Netherlands when it’s gray for a few days. “Something interesting is always happening on the world’s oceans. It’s never boring!”
Working in the weather room requires not only technical knowledge but also strong communication skills. Much client contact is done by phone, which was an adjustment for a generation used to texting and emailing. “I found it nerve-wracking at first,” Verena admits, “but you grow into it. It’s all about communicating confidently.” Matthijs agrees: “My first client briefings were a bit awkward, but you quickly realize that clients value your expertise, and that boosts your confidence.”
Kickboxing and pottery
Outside of their meteorological work, Matthijs and Verena enjoy the dynamic environment at Infoplaza. “I’ve quickly learned how a company operates here,” Matthijs says enthusiastically. “You collaborate with colleagues from marketing, sales, and IT, and everyone contributes to Infoplaza’s success. It makes the work even more enjoyable.”
The social aspect also plays a big role. “I thought I might fall into a social void after my student days,” Verena jokes, “but thanks to the events team, we do so much together! From kickboxing to pottery and even blowkarting on the beach – it’s never boring.”
Goals for the future
When asked how their work might look in ten years, Matthijs and Verena find it hard to predict. Rapid technological advancements, like AI and improved weather models, create both uncertainty and opportunity. “I kind of hope we never reach a point where we can predict weather flawlessly a month in advance,” Matthijs laughs. “The surprises make the job fun.” Verena sees potential: “Even with better models, human interpretation will always be needed. Clients want to know why something happens. Communication will always be essential.”
Both have personal goals. Matthijs wants to delve deeper into the impact of large ocean currents, like the AMOC, on climate change: “A fascinating topic with massive implications.” Verena aims to improve climate communication: “We need to make the message about climate change clear and engaging. That’s a real challenge. Right now, it’s too preachy.” She’s also interested in contributing to Infoplaza’s WeatherTech department: “I did a lot of programming during my studies. Developing and fine-tuning weather models would be fantastic. But presenting weather forecasts also appeals to me. Honestly, I like everything! This summer, I’ll work on the editorial team and handle media tasks.”
Always in motion
With their enthusiasm and expertise, Matthijs and Verena are valuable assets to Infoplaza. They demonstrate how young talent not only drives innovation but also brings balance and inspiration to the organisation. Weather is always in motion, and so is Infoplaza – thanks to passionate employees like Matthijs and Verena.
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