HI KARIN, CAN YOU TELL OUR READERS A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?
Hi, I'm Karin Derks. I live in Eindhoven with my husband and son. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, playing padel, skiing, and spending time with friends and family.
CAN YOU BRIEFLY SHARE A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN IT?
I didn't initially plan to go into IT; my original goal was to study medicine, but I wasn't selected for the program. During my gap year, I joined a software development program that allowed me to work and learn at the same time. That year, I designed and coded a system for managing sickness and absence. Meanwhile, I tried once more to get into medicine, but when that didn't work out, I decided to study Information Science, focusing on IT with a foundation in consultancy and programming.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC INFLUENCES OR PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED YOUR CAREER PATH?
I can’t say there were specific individuals who influenced my career path, but I always wanted to do work I enjoyed. In every role, I try to find something engaging to focus on, and this naturally leads to new opportunities. I’ve been inspired by various people around me who embody their roles in unique and motivating ways.
Currently, I’m an enterprise architect, which wasn’t my original goal. At my previous job, becoming an architect was necessary to contribute to certain discussions, and that’s how I grew into the role. I enjoyed the work itself more than the title—it’s always been about the work for me.
HOW DID YOU COME TO WORK AT ESSENT?
I spent 19 years working in architecture and management at another company. Eventually, I realized I wanted to return to architecture because I found the technical work far more rewarding than team management. I knew someone at Essent, Toon Wijnands, who told me about an open position. It felt like the right time to make a move, so I applied.
WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE COMPANY, AND HOW HAVE THEY CHANGED SINCE?
I joined Essent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, I met most people via Microsoft Teams. It’s harder to understand a company’s culture when you work remotely more often than in the office. However, everyone at Essent was very open and willing to help me integrate.
When I started coming to the office more frequently, I experienced the fantastic atmosphere firsthand. People are enthusiastic, and I particularly enjoy the regular drinks at ‘Buurt’.
COULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES?
I’m an enterprise architect in the CIO office. My role spans across multiple business units and focuses on translating business strategy into long-term IT landscape needs. We tackle questions like:
What changes are expected for our customers and partners in the coming years?
What adjustments do we need in our IT landscape to support those changes?
How can we communicate the IT roadmap effectively to stakeholders?
This involves both internal and external collaboration, including close cooperation with E.ON, our parent company, to align strategies and plan for the future. These challenges make the work incredibly exciting.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE?
I start early, around 7:30 AM, by checking emails and preparing for the day. My schedule is a mix of meetings and workshops with internal and external stakeholders. I always reserve time blocks to work on specific topics.
No two days are the same, but about 80% of my time is spent communicating, while the remaining 20% is focused on developing solutions. My conversations often include suppliers, E.ON colleagues, internal teams, and other partners.
CAN YOU SHARE SOME CHALLENGES YOU’VE FACED IN YOUR ROLE, AND HOW YOU OVERCAME THEM?
Transitioning from 19 years in the insurance industry to a new sector was more challenging than I had expected. It took time to fully adapt.
Initially, I was in a dual-role position, which, combined with starting at a new company, slowed my onboarding process. Over time, I focused on building relationships, understanding the company culture, and adjusting to the new environment.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CULTURE WITHIN YOUR TEAM OR DEPARTMENT?
The culture within our team is good. Over the past few years, we’ve experienced significant changes, including leadership shifts and the addition of new members. Recently, we hired three new colleagues, so we’re actively building and strengthening the team.
The core group has developed a solid sense of collaboration and communication. We’ve grown more comfortable giving and receiving feedback, which is an area we continue to improve.
WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU THINK ARE MOST IMPORTANT FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR ROLE OR TEAM?
Key qualities include the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and to communicate effectively across different roles. It’s essential to understand the technical challenges faced by engineers while also explaining complex concepts in simple terms to other stakeholders.
Being a good listener is equally important. Understanding the community’s needs and adapting conversations to different audiences are vital skills.
WHAT ARE SOME KEY GOALS YOU HAVE FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT/ROLE FOR THE COMING YEAR?
One of our main goals is to establish the target architecture for the e-commerce platform, ensuring it’s ready to support the company’s needs in the coming years. We aim to help our customers take the next step in the energy transition, and Essent’s IT platform must evolve to enable this.
WHAT ARE SOME KEY TRENDS IN THE INDUSTRY THAT YOU ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON?
I’m particularly interested in the potential of generative AI and how it can benefit Essent. Additionally, the impact of the New Energy Act is another critical area to watch. The act will introduce new roles in the energy sector, driving potential innovations.
WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR JOB DO YOU FIND THE MOST REWARDING?
The most rewarding aspect is seeing an architecture implemented successfully. It’s incredibly satisfying when a project that took a long time to develop is finally realized and works as envisioned.
ARE THERE ANY HABITS OR ROUTINES YOU’VE ESTABLISHED THAT CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR EFFECTIVENESS?
One habit I’ve developed is taking a few minutes at the end of each day to reflect. I ask myself: What went well today? What didn’t? What could I have done differently? This routine helps me improve over time. Sometimes, I even reflect unconsciously while heading home.
HOW DO YOU JUGGLE THE DEMANDS OF YOUR JOB WITH YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?
When I close my laptop, it stays closed. During my son’s younger years, balancing work and personal life was harder, but I’ve learned to set boundaries. Occasionally, deadlines or crises require exceptions, but as long as they’re not frequent, it’s manageable. I also take one day off each week, which helps maintain balance.
WHAT’S THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
The best advice came from an early manager: Enjoy your work and believe in yourself. When you genuinely enjoy what you do, it’s easier to overcome challenges.
Thank you, Karin, for sharing your experiences and insights. Your journey and perspectives offer valuable lessons for anyone aspiring to make an impact in the IT and energy sectors.