A day in the life of… Niek

Today we introduce you to one of the people who makes a difference under the bonnet of our software: Niek Vaanholt. An avid kickboxer, a true native of Twente and a software engineer with a heart for his profession.

Hi Niek! Can you briefly introduce yourself?

‘I am Niek Vaanholt. Originally I come from Twente, but for love I travelled down south: Limburg that is! I am a father of two great sons and enjoy going crazy together, teaching them silly (but fun!) things and just enjoying life. For me, work is a bit of an extension of my hobby. As a result, I can sometimes be a little too fanatical, but fortunately my family balances me out well.
I also recently started kickboxing, mainly to keep fit and clear my head. And to be honest: it works surprisingly well!’

Since when and how did you join Zenya?

‘I have been working at Zenya for about a year and a half now. During an event at ASML, I struck up a conversation with Olaf. His story about Zenya immediately appealed to me. At that time, I was working in a stressful, fast-paced marketing environment. That started to get more and more difficult, especially with a young family at home. I wanted to do something that really makes an impact and better suits who I am. I saw that opportunity at Zenya, and I haven’t regretted it for a moment to this day.’

What appealed to you about the company and the job?

‘Especially the idea that you work on software that really matters, especially in the healthcare sector.
The combination of social impact, quality first and the space to keep developing yourself? That was the perfect match for me.’

What does a ‘typical’ working week look like for you?

‘We start each day with a stand-up: together with colleagues, we discuss where we stand and what we are going to do that day. Then we dive into the code. Sometimes we build new features, sometimes we improve existing ones. And of course we are ready for colleagues who could use help. Because at Zenya we believe: together we get further. And at the end of the week? Then we end the week with a nice drink. Because hard work can also be rewarded.’

What is your very best Zenya memory?

‘The get-togethers and activities! The atmosphere is always good, and a lot is organised. Conviviality really knows no time here.’

What would you like to say to future colleagues?

‘Welcome on board, you made the right choice! Got any questions about backend development? You know where to find me. And: especially join the activities and get-togethers. Not only fun, but also a fine way to get to know your colleagues better. Enjoy!’