Dijkema studied sociology at the University of Groningen and was the youngest director in Dutch politics at the age of 32 in 1978. In the province of Overijssel he was then a representative on behalf of the PvdA, where he was confronted with the restructuring of Twente after the textile crisis: We were able to do a lot with European funds. In addition, Dijkema was closely involved in financing the IJsbaan Twente as a member of the recommendation committee.[3] In 1994 he exchanged politics for skating as a vice-president at the Royal Dutch Skating Association (KNSB).