Sofie Claas
HR Professional at BPM Company
Sofie: “I grew up in Empel, near ’s-Hertogenbosch, where I lived for twenty years. I later moved to Utrecht to study at HU University of Applied Sciences. Prior to that, I completed secondary education at a hospitality school in ’s-Hertogenbosch, where I discovered something unexpected: I found the combination of HR and employment law genuinely fascinating. Ironically, I had always told myself I would never go in that direction: my father had been an HR director, so I deliberately wanted to choose a different path.”
My interest in HR
“What I found so fascinating about HR is the opportunity, from a supportive role, to help create a work environment in which people feel seen and valued. An environment where employees are able to use their strengths to the fullest and feel comfortable within the organization. It is precisely this human side that appealed to me so strongly.”
From studies to a full-time role
“This is why I chose to pursue a degree in HR at HBO level, from which I graduated in the summer of 2025. BPM Company is my first full-time role after completing my studies, and I am truly enjoying my work here. During my studies, I also gained valuable hands-on experience. I worked as an HR Assistant at Santander, where I learned a great deal about team communication, what does and does not work in recruitment, and how to conduct effective conversations.
Before that, I worked at We Are Over The Moon, an organization that supports people who face barriers to the labor market, for example, because they do not yet speak Dutch fluently. We also supported individuals who had been made redundant and were being guided, through a social plan from their former employer, toward the next step in their careers. We helped them with practical questions such as how to prepare for a job interview, how to structure their CV, and other hands-on matters that truly make a difference when starting over professionally.”
Outside of work
“In my free time, I love spending time in nature. I enjoy walking and going on long hikes. My mother is Swedish, and Sweden offers some truly beautiful forest walks. I really appreciate the sense of calm and space you find there.
I also enjoy practicing yoga, which I find very grounding. At the same time, I value social moments just as much, so having drinks, inviting people over at home with a glass of wine, those are the moments I truly cherish. And city trips, of course. Just last weekend, I was in Stockholm. Visiting museums is always part of the experience for me; I enjoy discovering new places and cultures that way.”
