THE DREDGING INDUSTRY A
MAN'S WORLD? ''I'M ONE OF THE GUYS,'' recounts Marjon Wieringa
In this feature of Women in Dredging, Kelly Polman talks with Marjon Wieringa about her experiences in this particular world. Often considered a man's world, we show that women also play an important role in this industry. In this interview, Marjon shares her experiences and perspectives as a woman who has found her way in the world of dredging.
Marjon Wieringa, 39, founded Wieringa all-round service V.O.F. with her husband Harke Wieringa in 2020. Her journey to entrepreneurship began very differently, however, after she got her truck driver's license at 18, became pregnant with their son at 21 and made the switch to nursing. After working in nursing for several years, the realization came that she was good at her job but the work was not good for her. A personal journey of weight loss (-50 pounds) and self-discovery led her back to her original passion: earth moving. With Wieringa Allroudservice, Marjon helps companies, by temporarily filling positions during illness, staff shortages or open vacancies,giving them time to find a permanent solution.
The encounter
''Funnily enough, it all started with a chance encounter,'' she says while operating the controls of the dredge. ''One morning as I was rushing to get into my bus a car stopped in front of the driveway blocking my way. It turned out to be the company manager of Noordkorrel whom I had spoken to a few weeks before at the sand dredging site while I was employed as a truck driver for another company. As it turned out, the company manager lived 3 houses down the road without our knowing this about each other. This led to an invitation to come over and help out. And so I slowly rolled into the dredging world. It was a totally different direction than I had expected, but I'm glad it worked out that way."
In the process Marjon learns the tricks of the trade from her husband Harke. "Although there is no specific education or training that makes you an expert in the dredging industry, I am by nature someone who learns quickly. I pick things up while I'm working and apply them in practice," she says. "And if I don't know something, I call my husband. That does communicate nice and easy. It's important to understand the basics and know what the maximum mistakes can be, so you know where you can go."
In the process Marjon learns the tricks of the trade from her husband Harke. "Although there is no specific education or training that makes you an expert in the dredging industry, I am by nature someone who learns quickly. I pick things up while I'm working and apply them in practice," she says. "And if I don't know something, I call my husband. That does communicate nice and easy. It's important to understand the basics and know what the maximum mistakes can be, so you know where you can go."
Left: Kellly Polman - EQvolve
Right: Marjon Wieringa - Wieringa allroudservice
Right: Marjon Wieringa - Wieringa allroudservice
Her ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations has helped her function effectively in an environment where men often dominate. "I am very consistent in my work, whether operating machines or performing other tasks," she notes. "My consistent pace throughout the day allows me to run a good production regardless of the circumstances. She acknowledged, however, that her approach sometimes clashes with the dynamics of the male-dominated world in which she works. "When testosterone levels rise in men, they start performing. They go all out, whereas I prefer to maintain a steady pace," she explains. "But I have always believed that consistency and quality are more important than speed. Yet I must secretly confess, when the piston is running at full speed, I love that, I don't go back a gear either."
In addition to her work in the dredging industry, Marjon also faces the challenges of balancing work and personal life. "I come home and also have to take care of my family; we can't eat French fries and wear old socks all week. If I go full throttle all day, I'm up at the end of the day. With a 17-year-old son who also needs my attention and care, balancing work and family is sometimes a challenge. But my work ethic helps me accomplish my tasks effectively, both at work and at home."
In addition to her work in the dredging industry, Marjon also faces the challenges of balancing work and personal life. "I come home and also have to take care of my family; we can't eat French fries and wear old socks all week. If I go full throttle all day, I'm up at the end of the day. With a 17-year-old son who also needs my attention and care, balancing work and family is sometimes a challenge. But my work ethic helps me accomplish my tasks effectively, both at work and at home."
Evidence
She emphasizes that it is not always necessary to have to step up to prove yourself as a woman. With social media, we now see a lot more women having their say on how they want and can work in a man's world. But I don't always agree with the message that women need to go the extra mile. I myself don't go the extra mile, I just do my job."
Marjon explains that while she often enough encounters both men and women who perform less, she believes that hard work and eagerness to learn is the key to success, regardless of your gender. She continues: "If you choose to enter a certain profession, you have to go for it. Whether that's truck driving or nursing, you have to go all the way. If you do that, you will get there."
Marjon explains that while she often enough encounters both men and women who perform less, she believes that hard work and eagerness to learn is the key to success, regardless of your gender. She continues: "If you choose to enter a certain profession, you have to go for it. Whether that's truck driving or nursing, you have to go all the way. If you do that, you will get there."
Prejudice
When asked about any prejudice she has experienced as a woman, Marjon explains that she is always considered "one of the guys." "I haven't actually experienced any prejudice myself," she says. "When we sit in the cafeteria with colleagues, I do hear stories about other women. I always shout, ''Do you guys talk about me like that when I'm not around?'' But people always say, ''no you belong with us.'' When asked what that has to do with, Marjon can be brief. ''I work butt hard and can adapt easily.''
About the future of women in male-dominated professions, Marjon is optimistic. "I think it's going to be fine," she says. "There are plenty of women who want this. Times have changed and I see many more opportunities for women than 20 years ago."
While sailing back to the dock, we talk about the variety that makes her work so enjoyable. ''In the morning I'm dredging and I look back, the suction pipe is broken, that needs to be fixed too,'' she laughs. ''On Fridays I regularly sit on the weighbridge and do the sand installation there.''
Finally, Marjon emphasizes her independence and determination to find her own way in this world. "I am good at finding my way and can take care of myself just fine," she says. "If you go for something, you will get there."
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About the future of women in male-dominated professions, Marjon is optimistic. "I think it's going to be fine," she says. "There are plenty of women who want this. Times have changed and I see many more opportunities for women than 20 years ago."
While sailing back to the dock, we talk about the variety that makes her work so enjoyable. ''In the morning I'm dredging and I look back, the suction pipe is broken, that needs to be fixed too,'' she laughs. ''On Fridays I regularly sit on the weighbridge and do the sand installation there.''
Finally, Marjon emphasizes her independence and determination to find her own way in this world. "I am good at finding my way and can take care of myself just fine," she says. "If you go for something, you will get there."
