Welcome to a new Spotlight on Essenters! Today we will have a chat with Marloes van den Bragt - van de Wouw, a Software Engineer at Essent.
HI MARLOES, COULD YOU TELL OUR READERS A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?
Hi, I'm Marloes van den Bragt-van de Wouw and I am a software engineer at Essent. In my free time, I like to be outdoors, enjoy bouldering and I love to read a good book.
CAN YOU BRIEFLY SHARE YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN IT?
Well, to be honest, I consider myself a bit of a wildcard! My interest in coding began after I had been working at Essent for a while. I originally studied physical education and started at Essent as a customer contact advisor. After some time, I was promoted to the coordinator position of a user acceptance test group. During this time, I came in contact with IT, which eventually sparked my interest in IT and coding.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT A MAJOR TURNING POINT IN YOUR CAREER THAT LED YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
After my promotion, I began working more closely with the IT department and became fascinated with coding and the mindset of a software engineer. I enjoyed the challenge of solving clear problems, something I also did in my role as a customer contact advisor, but in a different way. I realized I wanted to continue incorporating problem-solving into my career, which ultimately led me towards IT.
HOW DID YOU COME TO WORK AT ESSENT?
I started working as a customer contact advisor in 2009 and soon after got promoted to coach.
WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE COMPANY, AND HOW HAVE THEY CHANGED SINCE?
When I first joined, I was worried it would be too big and corporate, maybe even a bit rigid. But it turned out to be the complete opposite — ha-ha! You can reach out to anyone here, and everyone is very approachable and warm to the truly Brabants company. There are a lot of growth opportunities as well. When I expressed interest in starting a role as a software engineer, despite having zero experience, my managers were incredibly supportive. They believed in me, gave me a chance, and hired me as a software engineer. It truly is a warm and welcoming company to work for.
COULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES?
I'm currently a software engineer at Essent. My primary responsibilities include developing features for the front end, particularly for the 'Termijn bedrag' page.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE?
There isn't a typical day for me. Most days are filled with solution thinking and coding, but I also attend many meetings within my team and with other colleagues. I particularly enjoy our ‘Domain Driven Design’ sessions, where I get to model with the entire team and business. During these sessions, which happen every two weeks, colleagues from all departments come together to go through the whole process, which I find engaging and fun.
HOW HAS YOUR ROLE EVOLVED SINCE YOU STARTED?
My role has evolved quite a bit! As a software engineer, I've been working extra hard to learn new skills and catch up with the demands of the job. Every day, I learn something new, which is why I take things one day at a time. It's been a challenging but rewarding journey. Also, the Domain Driven Design sessions gave me a lot of insights about myself and gave me confidence in my journey now.
ARE THERE ANY SETBACKS YOU'VE ENCOUNTERED IN THIS ROLE? HOW DID YOU NAVIGATE THEM?
Because this role is new to me, I’ve encountered setbacks. It's different for me compared to a colleague who studied specifically for this field. I might take longer to code, but my colleagues are very patient and willing to show me the ropes. Thankfully, I’m given the time I need to learn and grow in my role.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CULTURE WITHIN YOUR TEAM OR DEPARTMENT?
We are a small, close-knit team, and we even hang out after work hours. Recently we had a barbecue together at my place, which says a lot about our bond. Our team mentality is 'work hard, play hard.' We have a lot of fun together but also know when it's time to get down to business. I’m grateful for my team and the fun times we share, that is why I would like to thank: Peter van der Wal, David Festen, Chandra Adireddi, Ruben Meijs and Kevin van Dongen.
WHAT QUALITIES ARE MOST IMPORTANT FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR ROLE OR TEAM?
Apart from the technical skills expected of a software engineer, I think personal qualities are just as important. Adapting your way of working to fit the team is crucial. Everyone has their way of thinking, but we’re a team, and we share responsibilities. It’s important to remember that we’re working together, not as individuals.
WHAT ARE SOME KEY GOALS YOU HAVE FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT/ROLE FOR THE COMING YEAR?Last year, my focus was primarily on delivering the end product, and I felt that I neglected the process of how to get there. For the coming year, I aim to concentrate more on the journey and the development process, rather than just the outcome. That way I can learn at a slower tempo but get more confidence during my journey as a developer.
HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE OR THE COMPANY EVOLVING IN THE FUTURE?
I hope to leverage my expertise and skills to continue advancing my projects and strengthen the bridge between business and IT. I’m passionate about understanding the challenges on both sides, where the business struggles and where IT faces difficulties. By working on this bridge, I hope to contribute to more effective solutions and support the company’s growth in future projects.
WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR JOB DO YOU FIND THE MOST REWARDING?
The most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing something I’ve built come to life. I still remember one of the first times I coded a button on a page and felt a real sense of pride when it worked perfectly!
HOW DO YOU MANAGE WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND HOW DO YOU USUALLY START YOUR DAY?
This is always a bit of a struggle, as I’m a mom of three boys, and I want both work and personal life to get the best. So, I usually start my day around 6:30 to 7 AM, which allows me to wrap up work in the afternoon and spend more time with my children. I appreciate that Essent and my team give me the flexibility to structure my day in this way.
ARE THERE ANY HABITS OR ROUTINES YOU'VE ESTABLISHED THAT CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR EFFECTIVENESS?
Starting my day as early as possible. I begin by catching up on emails and Slack updates with a coffee in hand, which starts the workflow. I also make sure to end my workday by reviewing any missed updates to ensure nothing is overlooked.
DO YOU SHARE A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW?
Most people think/assume that I am very extroverted, but actually, I’m an ambivert and enjoy being on my own with a good book more than being in crowds.
I’m also quite passionate about philosophy and spend a lot of time reading and exploring different philosophical ideas.
CAN YOU SHARE A PERSONAL MANTRA OR PHILOSOPHY THAT YOU LIVE BY?
I like this quote by Albert Einstein: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Everybody has a talent even if you don’t notice it right away.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF JUST STARTING IN YOUR CAREER?
Don’t overthink things. You don't need to be excessively ambitious or seek out every influence to succeed. Trust that you will find your path and get where you belong in time.
We would like to thank Marloes for the time she took to speak with us, and the insights she shares.
If you have any lingering questions for her, don’t hesitate to drop a comment down below.