Professional Growth: Industry Internships and Work Experience

My educational foundation has been significantly enhanced by practical industry experience. Through internships and professional roles, I've applied theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges, developing specialized skills and a deeper understanding of software engineering in production environments.

PLNTS.com: Software Engineering Experience

My journey at PLNTS.com, one of Europe's fastest-growing online plant retailers, has been particularly formative for my professional development.

Software Engineer (Part-time)

January 2023 - Present

As a Software Engineer at PLNTS.com, I've been involved in developing and maintaining their core e-commerce platform. Key responsibilities and achievements include:

• Modern TypeScript/JavaScript development within a Turborepo monorepo structure
• Contributing to the development of custom dependency injection and utility packages
• Implementing technical optimizations for improved site performance and SEO
• Working with a diverse technological stack including:
  • React.js and Next.js for frontend development
  • Node.js for backend services
  • GraphQL for API architecture
  • PostgreSQL for database management
  • Tailwind CSS for styling
  • Strapi CMS for content management

The part-time nature of this role has allowed me to apply academic concepts directly to industry problems while continuing my education.

Internship: A/B Testing Specialist

September 2023 - February 2024

Prior to my current role, I completed a 6-month internship at PLNTS.com focused on A/B testing methodologies:

• Designed and implemented robust testing strategies using Vercel, Next.js, and React
• Utilized data-driven analysis to enhance user experiences and interface design
• Focused on achieving zero cumulative layout shift (CLS) for improved user experience
• Documented testing methodologies and results using technical writing skills
• Applied automation techniques to streamline testing processes

This internship provided valuable experience in e-commerce optimization and allowed me to develop specialized expertise in A/B testing that continues to inform my work.

BPSOLUTIONS: Graduation Internship

February 2025 - Present

My current graduation internship at BPSOLUTIONS has been focused on leading the modernization of a core enterprise application:

• Migrating a production application from Vue 2.7 to Vue 3.5 with TypeScript
• Transforming architecture from Options API to Composition API with script setup
• Replacing Vuex with Pinia for state management, including developing a custom migration layer
• Modernizing the build system from Vue CLI/Webpack to Vite for improved developer experience
• Converting mixins to composables for better code reuse and maintainability

This experience has deepened my understanding of frontend architecture and migration strategies for enterprise applications.

Gemeente Gouda: IT Support Role

March 2022 - August 2022

Working as a Servicepunt Medewerker at Gemeente Gouda allowed me to gain experience in enterprise IT support:

• Provided ICT support to colleagues in a Citrix environment (Digital Workspace)
• Managed user accounts in Active Directory
• Worked with Microsoft Exchange for email management
• Used TOPdesk for ticketing and support tracking
• Delivered second-line support and handled IT-related facilities tasks

This role developed my understanding of enterprise IT infrastructure and improved my technical support capabilities.

Blue Jund: IT Freelancer and Event Management

June 2020 - March 2022

As an IT Freelancer, Content Editor, and Event Manager for Blue Jund, I expanded my skills beyond pure software development:

• Set up and hosted livestreams for gaming events
• Created content and built community engagement
• Managed gaming events both online and offline
• Handled IT infrastructure for community events
• Developed skills in community leadership and management

This experience was valuable for developing soft skills that complement my technical abilities, particularly in communication, event coordination, and community building.

Holland Casino: Croupier

April 2019 - May 2020

My role as a Croupier at Holland Casino provided an opportunity to develop strong customer service and leadership skills in a fast-paced environment. While not directly technical, this experience enhanced my:

• Communication abilities with diverse clientele
• Attention to detail under pressure
• Leadership in managing table dynamics
• Quick decision-making capabilities

These soft skills have proven valuable in technical roles, particularly when managing stakeholder expectations and team dynamics.

Professional Growth and Skill Development

Through these varied professional experiences, I've developed a comprehensive skill set that spans:

Technical Skills

• Frontend development with React, Vue, and Next.js
• TypeScript and JavaScript expertise
• Backend services with Node.js
• Database management with PostgreSQL
• A/B testing implementation and analysis
• DevOps practices and automation
• Enterprise system migration and modernization

Soft Skills

• Technical writing and documentation
• Client and stakeholder communication
• Team collaboration and leadership
• Project management and prioritization
• Problem-solving under constraints
• Adaptability to different organizational cultures

Domain Knowledge

• E-commerce optimization and performance
• Enterprise application architecture
• IT support and infrastructure
• Event management and community building

Integration of Academic and Professional Development

The interplay between my academic education and professional experience has been particularly valuable. Concepts learned at Hogeschool Leiden have informed my approach to industry challenges, while practical experience has deepened my understanding of theoretical principles.

This integration of theory and practice has allowed me to develop a well-rounded perspective on software engineering that acknowledges both academic best practices and real-world constraints—a balance that continues to guide my professional development.