'The freedom to customise your studies made it possible for me to incorporate my interest in banking into my studies.'
Blockchain and new technologies
A blockchain is a system for storing data in a chain of blocks. Blocks cannot be manipulated and can only be added at the end of the chain. Blockchain is therefore actually a record of transactions and is used within bitcoin as proof of the authenticity of transactions and is widely used e.g. in international trade.
Blockchain offers many other possible applications. As a blockchain specialist at Rabobank’s TechLab, I look into new blockchain technologies. Recently, we developed an identity wallet app for mobile phones that works according to the self-sovereign identity concept, which allows the user to stay in complete control of their personal data. This is very useful because you need to share personal data when you buy a car or a house, but of course want to do this safely.
From a unique identity wallet-app to possible start-up
Just imagine, I started building this unique app together with only two colleagues and now we are working on it with a team of 25 people. We looked at whether the idea, the technology, and the functionality were feasible and if it suited the needs of Rabobank and its customers. As co-founder of Datakeeper, as we called the app, it was my job to validate the feasibility of the app in the market, so I needed to check the resources, budget and development. Within the bank, we received a lot of interest from stakeholders, so we are looking into developing it as a start-up owned by Rabobank.
With my background as a Business Information Technologist, specialised in Enterprise Architecture & IT Management, I was used to working with different specialists and combining their varying input and expertise. As a BIT-graduate, you are not only a developer but also a liaison between different departments. You have not only knowledge of programming, but you also have a good feeling for management and know how to market a product as well.
Freedom to customise my studies
I have always been interested in banking, so I was glad I could adapt my studies to that. I did a minor in financial planning in Melbourne, Australia and to learn more about banking, I also did the Master’s in Business Administration at UT. I liked the Business Inc course of the bachelor’s in BIT because I could put my knowledge into practice by learning how to migrate a company to a new ERP (‘Enterprise Resource Planning’). I also made sure that employees within the company wanted to work with the new system.
My time as a student was really great! I did a lot besides studying: I participated in the faculty's education committee, I was a member of the student association Taste and the BIT fraternity. Because of this, I made many friends whom I still see regularly. During your studies, you make friends for life."