My journey into quantum: why I started Colorful Matter
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Quantum has provided me with a great sense of fulfillment long before I officially became part of this community. My journey into quantum was unexpected, driven by curiosity, determination, and many hours of self-study. Now, with Colorful Matter, I can channel my energy and passion fully into initiatives that strengthen connections within this community and help others achieve their goals.
Introduction to quantum
From the start of my career, I set some ambitious goals. Mainly because, as a young mom, I was aware of the stereotypes and judgments people held about both that and balancing work and family, and that fueled me. I set out career and financial goals, which felt practical at the time, but didn’t lead to happiness.
Before long, I had reached my goals, but I found myself feeling isolated. The demands of work and parenting meant my social life was mostly limited to my professional circle, in an industry I wasn’t truly passionate about. I missed having people around who shared my interests, felt out of place, and sensed that parts of me were going unexplored.
That’s when I began reflecting on what had always sparked my curiosity. I remembered how, as a child, I would stare up at the night sky and being frustrated about questions like: How can the universe have no end? and What am I doing here? With that in mind, I decided to start exploring this again, which led to my first acquaintance with quantum physics in 2015.
It soon became a constant to fill my spare time with listening to lectures and watching videos on the topic whenever I had a moment. It completely captivated me, sparking a dream of a career in this field and being part of it (or at least visiting CERN one day), which, being an outsider, initially didn’t feel realistic to me at all.
Over the years, I became somewhat of a learning addict, accumulating certifications in psychological sciences, ethics, community work, Chinese philosophy, the science of happiness and purpose, DEIBJ—which stands for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice—and more along those same lines.
Joining the quantum community
A few years later, I transitioned into a role in tech innovation, focusing on public affairs. This role allowed me to grow in new ways and, in some ways ended up bridging the gap to quantum for me. Then, in the summer of ’22, an opportunity arose to work with the Dutch national quantum initiative. It wasn’t something I had been actively seeking— it still hadn’t occurred to me that this might actually happen —but by then, I could see how I might actually bring value to this community.
At Quantum Delta NL, I found a team that welcomed and supported me, giving me the freedom to be fully creative and make my mark. For the first time, I felt I could truly be myself in a professional space and was surrounded by likeminded people. That made all the difference. It allowed me to create opportunities that helped “quantum natives” experience how special it is to be part of this community, while making newcomers feel just as welcome. I saw firsthand how even small efforts can make people feel included and valued, and how that sense of connection can ripple through a community.
Proceeding with Colorful Matter
But even as I became deeply involved in this work, I felt that I was spreading myself too thin across a multitude of projects. With Colorful Matter—referencing people and quantum—, I focus all my energy and passion on the topics and initiatives I truly love—dedicated to building connections within the quantum community and helping my clients achieve greater growth and success in this same way. This focus not only gives me an even deeper sense of purpose in my professional life but also allows me to create more of this impact for others.
Does this suit your organization or any of your projects? (juliette@colorfulmatter.eu)
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