HI CHETAN, CAN YOU TELL OUR READERS A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?

Hi! I’m Chetan Patil, currently working as a DevOps Engineer at Essent IT. I was born in Pune, Maharashtra, and have been living in the Netherlands for about seven years. I now live in Tilburg with my wife and our 2.5-year-old son—my daily energy source and my little “thought provoker.”

WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE IT FIELD?

It started with a fascination for how systems connect—how applications, processes, and data flows could be integrated. DevOps and AWS integrations became my entry point. For me, it was like solving puzzles: making things work together that weren’t meant to. That sense of building connections still excites me.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC INFLUENCES OR PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED YOUR CAREER PATH?

Yes—my father, above all. He’s a farmer and has always been my role model. His discipline and dedication influenced me deeply. My cousin, who works in Denmark, also played a part. I followed in his footsteps by choosing computer engineering.

But the road wasn’t easy. During my diploma, I didn’t even have a computer at home. Imagine learning to code without one! I practiced wherever I could. Eventually, my father bought me my first computer—trusting me fully with a big investment. That trust pushed me to do better.

Scoring first in my 10th-grade exams across three villages was a turning point. Since then, my parents have been my strongest supporters. When they visited me in the Netherlands last year, I saw how proud they were. That moment meant everything.

HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING AT ESSENT?

I started my career in the banking sector, working on projects related to banking operational processes such as credit card, home loan applications, KYC process and back-office automation. After nearly seven years and three employers, things began to feel repetitive—less innovation, less growth.

That’s when I upskilled in AWS and started exploring new domains. I learned about Essent through ex-colleagues at last assigment funnily enough, I was already an Essent customer! Back in 2021, when I was living in a tiny Amsterdam studio, my monthly energy bill was just €10. The rates were great, but what really caught my attention was the potential for innovation in the energy sector.

COULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES?

As a DevOps Engineer, I focus on AWS integrations—building and maintaining services that link different parts of our ecosystem: information leads, process flows, and applications. My job is to make sure everything runs smoothly and efficiently behind the scenes.

HAS YOUR ROLE EVOLVED SINCE YOU STARTED?

It’s been a big shift—from working in TIBCO to fully embracing AWS. I went from being a learner to someone who implements and owns solutions. That transition—from “I’ll help” to “I’ve got this”—has been huge for me.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SURPRISING ASPECT OF YOUR JOB SINCE YOU STARTED?

After more than a decade in IT, surprises are rare! But I’ve found that once your team trusts your skills, your responsibilities expand very quickly. That trust is both empowering and motivating.

CAN YOU HIGHLIGHT A SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT YOU FEEL HAS BEEN PIVOTAL IN YOUR CAREER HERE?

From January to October last year, I handled the TIBCO structure for dynamic pricing almost single-handedly. It involved around 20 different teams. I worked with architects, implemented solutions, and even challenged decisions when necessary.

It was an intense period—almost like gaining two years of experience in one project. By the end, I became the go-to person for that area. I’m proud not just of the technical outcome, but of the collaboration and shared success.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CULTURE WITHIN YOUR TEAM OR DEPARTMENT?

It’s a great mix of dedication and friendliness. We rotate facilitations during stand-ups, share fun facts, and even block time for casual coffee chats. There’s a strong culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration.

What stood out when I joined was how inclusive the team was. Even though I had the least AWS experience, I was never left out. My ideas were welcomed, and I was mentored right from the start. That made a huge difference.

WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU THINK ARE MOST IMPORTANT FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR ROLE?

You need to speak up—your ideas only matter if you share them. Flexibility is also critical. Things change fast in IT, and if you can’t adapt, you fall behind.

Ultimately, you grow in the same direction your team grows. So being open, collaborative, and curious is key.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE NEAR FUTURE?

The big focus is migration—we went live recently, and now we’re building on that momentum. We’re also expanding into e-mobility, onboarding new partners, and future-proofing our energy solutions.

For the business, speed to market is essential. My job is to ensure IT supports that pace while maintaining quality and reliability.

WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB DO YOU FIND THE MOST REWARDING?

The learning—every single day brings something new. And the people. I genuinely enjoy the exchange of ideas, the shared growth, and the energy that comes from working together.

ARE THERE ANY HABITS OR ROUTINES YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED THAT CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR EFFECTIVENESS?

Preparation is my superpower. I show up with a clear agenda, focused questions, and a mindset ready to learn. I never hesitate to ask if I don’t understand something.

Staying positive and giving people the benefit of the doubt also helps. It makes collaboration smoother and more enjoyable.

CAN YOU SHARE A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW?

Yes! I’ve actually solved bugs and figured out code in my dreams. When I’m deeply focused on a problem, my brain doesn’t always switch off at night. It’s like my subconscious is still debugging while I sleep!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF JUST STARTING OUT?

Keep learning—always. Technology changes fast, and curiosity is your biggest strength. When I started, I learned a lot just from YouTube videos.

Also, don’t lose sight of life outside work. My son once told me, “The house key is a guitar.” I took that as a reminder to have fun and enjoy the small things. Don’t chase everything blindly. Enjoy the journey, and make time for what truly matters.

A heartfelt thanks to Chetan for sharing his story and perspective with us!