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Kenneth Van Zuiden was hired as a telescope assembly technician for Observable Space.
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Just Hired: Kenneth Van Zuiden

December 18, 2025

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Just Hired! Through the experiences of local, regional, national and international students, Western Illinois University has some incredible alumni who are changing the world in the workforce. This series will feature students from all over the world who are hired post-graduation.

MACOMB, IL - - Meet Kenneth Van Zuiden, a graduate of Western Illinois University's Physics program, who was hired as a telescope assembly technician for Observable Space, a company that makes large production scale telescopes and related equipment.

Van Zuiden found the role on Handshake when he decided to apply. He decided to reach out to their HR department to ask questions about the company to see if it was a good fit for him to go through the application process.

Van Zuiden went through three interviews which included some of the founders of the company. Although he was not selected for the job he applied for (Optical Test Engineer), the hiring committee were still impressed with what he brought to the table and offered him a role as a telescope assembly technician.

During Van Zuiden's time at WIU, he learned a lot of analytical skills that helped towards his physics degree. He also credited Professor Esteban Araya's, in which he learned a lot about telescopes and astronomy in his Astrophysics research class.

VanZuiden plans to stay connected with WIU by keeping up with the Physics Colloquium and through the possibility of finding work within the department sometime in the future.

To share your hiring story with WIU, visit go.wiu.edu/4eVgEuw.

To learn more about WIU's Physics program, visit wiu.edu/cas/physics.

Posted By: Keyana Cruse (k-cruse@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing