Meet Wannes, our brand new Junior Integration Engineer who recently joined our IBM integration community. He hit the ground running, immersing himself in a comprehensive training program on IBM API Connect during his first weeks with us. 

Wannes is very excited to share his experience, so get to know Wannes through the interview below!

What is your background and how did you end up working at Integration Designers?

I have a background in Java software development and gained experience in integration and APIs while working on my first consultancy project at a bank, where I became familiar with IBM ACE. Later, I joined an integration team at a company in Switzerland and began developing APIs.

I was immediately drawn to the integration field and the challenge of making disparate systems communicate with each other. When I learned about the opportunity to work at Integration Designers and fully focus on IBM integration technology while growing my skills in IBM API Connect, I immediately knew this was the perfect fit for my interests and career aspirations.

What do you enjoy most about working at Integration Designers?

The open and supportive culture is something I really appreciate. Everyone is willing to lend a hand and help each other out. There’s a real sense of camaraderie here. As a smaller company in the Cronos Group ecosystem, we get the best of both worlds: the opportunity to make a real and lasting impact, while still benefiting from the resources of a larger organization.

I also get plenty of opportunities to learn and grow, both in terms of technical skills and career development. As a consultant, I can work on many various projects and learn about different work environments. In addition, a so-called Fast Track -a day meant to share knowledge with one another, brainstorm about trends in the market, new IBM updates or features etc,- is organized every two months. A great way to stay up to date and engaged!

Additionally, our managing partners – Dirk and Jeroen – are true IBM integration specialists. They are still involved in technical work, keeping themselves up to date, and providing a wealth of knowledge that I can learn from.

Tell us a bit more about what it’s like to work on integration projects

Working on integration projects is a very unique experience! You’re essentially creating the glue that holds everything together. This involves working with different types of applications and systems and a diverse range of technologies. If you enjoy complex problem-solving and thrive on challenges – like I do – it’s a highly rewarding field to work in! 

What have your first few weeks at Integration Designers been like?

From the moment I got in touch with Integration Designers, I was impressed by their proactive attitude. The recruitment process was quick and straightforward and they were approachable and responsive. I had the feeling I could ask them anything. When they presented me with the salary proposal very quickly after the first interview, it showed their commitment to move forward and take care of their employees.

I really enjoyed my first few weeks here! I had the opportunity to follow training on IBM API Connect, which is a great way to get up to speed on the technology we use. Everyone has been very welcoming and supportive of me. Overall, I am very pleased with how things have gone so far and look forward to what’s ahead.

How do you see your career evolving at Integration Designers?

Right now, I’m focused on development work and building my skills in that area. But over time, I’m interested in exploring more architecture and analyst roles. One thing I appreciate about Integration Designers is that there are opportunities to grow and develop your career within the company. With the experience I gain here, I’m confident that I’ll be able to take on more challenging roles and make a bigger impact in the field of integration.

Are you interested in joining Integration Designers? Check out our careers page for more information.