In this interview, we talk with Stein Overtoom. Stein has a different background than most people in IT. After studying chemistry, he immediately started working as a Software Developer. Stein has been working at ICT TriOpSys since 2021. During this interview, he shares more about his experiences and his current position.
Tell us something about yourself, who is Stein?
I’m 24 years old, live in Zeist and grew up in Amstelveen. In my spare time, I like to do a lot of different things. My main hobbies are calisthenics, motorcycling, playing guitar and cooking. I have a slightly unusual background compared to most people in IT, I studied chemistry. In my final year, I did a minor in programming. Because I enjoyed it so much, I found a combination of chemistry and programming for my thesis. That’s how I got into IT. Through a recruiter, I started working at ICT TriOpSys right after graduation. I had several options, including at some larger companies, but I left the interview with a really good feeling. That’s why I chose ICT TriOpSys, which turned out to be the right choice.
You’re a Software Developer at ICT TriOpSys, what does that involve exactly?
To give an example: a recently completed project involved building a simulator for an anti-tank missile launcher for the Dutch Ministry of Defence. This means that you spend a lot of time connecting to external systems. It was an interesting challenge. I also went with a few team members to a military training ground in Germany. We conducted an integration test in the field, because the tanks and other vehicles driving around had to be visible in the simulation.
“I had several options, including at some larger companies, but I left the interview with a really good feeling. That’s why I chose ICT TriOpSys, which turned out to be the right choice.”
What do you enjoy most about this role?
Mostly the flexibility. Of course, it depends somewhat on the assignment, but the project I’m currently working on gives me a lot of freedom to decide whether I work at the office or at home. I can also arrange my hours quite flexibly. For example, sometimes I go work out during the day and then work a bit longer in the evening. Besides, the projects we do at ICT TriOpSys are always interesting, like the example I mentioned earlier.
What is your experience working at ICT TriOpSys?
Very positive. It’s a really nice company. It feels a bit like a family business. They listen to you carefully. Recently, I mentioned that after two years on the same project, I was ready for something new. My colleagues were very supportive and came up with lots of ideas.
“Mostly the flexibility. You can arrange your hours quite flexibly and it’s possible to work from home a lot.”
What is the craziest or most enjoyable experience you’ve ever had here?
What stands out most is the integration test in Germany that I mentioned earlier. We ran into a lot of unexpected problems. What put the demo at risk. But luckily, our team managed to pull it off. It was pretty close, we only knew 30 minutes before the demo that everything was working.
The most enjoyable experience was last year’s anniversary weekend. All employees, including their partners, went to Maastricht for a weekend. The entire weekend was packed with fun activities, which was really well organized.
How would you describe the work atmosphere and company culture?
Pleasant. You can talk about anything. You’re assigned a staff manager, a kind of career coach. This is another employee within the organization who has more seniority. You can discuss pretty much anything you want with him/her. For me, it was especially nice to have someone who helps you grow within the organization. The atmosphere is informal. On hot summer days, for example, you’ll see lots of people wearing shorts.
What are your ambitions at ICT TriOpSys?
I’m still figuring out exactly where I want to go. Soon, I’ll be starting a new assignment as Product Owner. That seems like an interesting challenge and I want to explore whether that’s a direction I want to go in. Or whether I want to stay closer to the technical side.
What would you like to tell others who are considering applying here?
Two things. First: try applying to different places. Especially if this is your first full-time job, like it was for me. Maybe I shouldn’t be saying that, haha. But being able to compare helps you feel more sure about what suits you. For me, it made me realize that ICT TriOpSys was better in many aspects. So, I expect you’ll experience the same 😉.
Second: be honest about what you can and can’t do. If you’re clear about that and show that you’re eager to learn new things, that is appreciated far more than listing only positive qualities.
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