Emma Joostens, a 25-year-old law student from Hamme, has been named Student Employee of the Year for her exceptional contributions to lingerie boutique Mio Sogno in Dendermonde, where she has worked for seven years.
Joostens was praised as a “natural talent with an eye for detail” by the shop’s owner, Ann Heremans, who emphasised her professionalism and dedication.
The annual award is organised by employers’ association Unizo and HR services group Liantis to highlight the economic importance of student employees and demonstrate the success of the flexible student employment framework.
Out of 78 nominees, Joostens stood out for her loyalty, expertise, maturity, and personal growth. “Emma proves that a student job can be more than just temporary extra income. She has grown with the business and become indispensable,” said the organisers.
Joostens initially started her role by folding and sorting items but has since taken on more responsibility, managing almost the entire shop at times. “Whether it’s 16-year-old girls or 85-year-old women, she offers professional advice with impressive expertise,” Heremans said. “The only time she was unsure was when men started asking for lingerie for themselves, but now she handles that perfectly too.”
Recent figures from Belgium’s National Social Security Office (RSZ) show that more than 640,000 students were employed last year, a record high. On average, each student had 1.6 jobs and worked 220 hours.
Unizo believes the current regulations strike a good balance. “The recent increase to 650 hours per year is a significant step forward, meeting the needs of both students and employers,” the organisation said, while calling for further refinements, particularly for students in dual learning paths.
