“I’m currently working on a project at Schiphol Airport. We are working on the transition of a database that is used in combination with IBM Maximo. The data is moving from an Oracle to a Microsoft system. It’s a great job where I can program in Java to the fullest. Very technical and challenging; these are two systems that don’t quite speak the same language. It’s a constant puzzle to solve the mismatches that arise as a result. I think that’s fantastic to do.”
“I lived and worked in Athens for six years. Even there, I was always working on small IT projects in my spare time. My then-girlfriend said, ‘Why don’t you use your talents professionally?’ I then started looking for an IT job in the Netherlands. First from Greece, later I moved here. To show what I could do, I had created a WhatsApp clone and an energy comparison site. That was a fully working system with real data to compare energy suppliers and have a customized contract drawn up. Everyone I spoke to was impressed, but I didn’t have the papers. That made it difficult to find a job, because the Netherlands is a diploma country.”
“A headhunter put me in touch with Gemba. Before I went for an interview, I read up on them first. Gemba is highly regarded within the Netherlands and abroad. I wanted to work in a place with professionals from whom I could learn a lot. During the job interview, I immediately felt a connection. At Gemba, they saw what I could do, despite my unconventional background. That trust meant a lot to me. From the beginning, I was welcomed with open arms.”
“At Gemba, employees are central; they are nice and warm people who do their work with common sense. Everyone has a sense of responsibility, towards each other, towards projects, towards the company. Of course, money has to be earned, but that happens in a fun and good way. You belong and look out for each other, it’s that simple.”
“We went skiing in Winterberg with a whole group. Unfortunately, I broke my ankle after half an hour. That happened even before I could get on the slopes, I tripped in the house where we were all staying! Despite that, I still had a very nice weekend. We laughed a lot, messed around in the snow, and even ziplined. Not on the guitar, ziplining is also hanging on a cable and rushing down very quickly. This year we are going to the Ardennes. I bought sturdy shoes, so this time my ankles will survive.”
“For now, I mainly want to do what I enjoy, and I can do that here. Programming work doesn’t feel like a job to me; it’s just what I love to do most. I hope I can continue to grow at Gemba, but even if that’s not the case, I’ll take valuable experiences and projects with me. This is a place where I can develop professionally and personally.”
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