A varied workday focused on security and teamwork
I work as a software developer at Bankdata in an area focused on securities trading and custody. I'm part of a small, relatively new team that I’ve been involved in almost from the beginning. Our tasks vary a lot depending on the needs in our area. We step in where there’s a shortage of hands or where our skills are needed most. I really enjoy getting around to different corners of the business area – constantly learning new things and working with lots of different people.
In addition, I serve as a Security Champion. This role acts as a bridge between development teams and the central security teams. It involves being a knowledge resource within development teams, helping spread awareness about security, and also giving feedback to central security teams if their initiatives don’t quite hit the mark across the organization. It’s a role that’s as much about technical security skills as it is about communication, knowledge sharing, and change management. For me, it’s an exciting opportunity to dive deep into security while also helping others learn.
Detective work, collaboration, and constant learning in the IT industry
I find that working with software is a constant interplay between theory and practice. You need to understand the theory to build solid solutions, but you also have to try things out and experiment to find the best answer. A lot of the work is detective work – it can be frustrating and complex, but that’s also what makes it so rewarding when you solve a tough problem. The IT industry demands a broad skill set.
The systems we build require technical knowledge, but also a deep understanding of the business areas they support. On top of that, it requires a lot of collaboration, coordination, and communication with the people you work with. In a team like mine, we’re often not the experts on the business side – but we are on the technical side. That places high demands on our ability to work closely with other teams and domain experts.
At the same time, it’s an industry in constant change, where you need to keep up. What we built six months ago might be done differently today. That means there’s always something new to learn – new tools, theories, concepts, and opportunities to improve the systems we’ve already built.
Doubt and challenges gave way to passion for IT and leadership
Back in primary school, I wasn’t especially drawn to the natural sciences or technical subjects. But in 10th grade, I developed a real interest in math and physics/chemistry, so I enrolled in the HTX (Higher Technical Examination) with a math/physics focus, and my interest in math only grew.
I also chose programming as an elective at HTX – and I loved it. The combination of math and programming made computer science an obvious next step, so that’s what I pursued.
I found the subject matter fascinating, but my studies were heavily impacted by the COVID lockdowns – with remote learning, online exams, and isolation. That, combined with the usual exam stress, left me a bit burned out by the time I finished my bachelor’s. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue with a master’s. I decided to take a break from academic life and spent half a year at a folk high school. Life without deadlines and exams felt amazing. Before I even left the school, I had a job lined up – which made the decision easy. And I haven’t regretted it for a second.
I’m still learning new things all the time and have plenty of opportunities to dig into new areas. I’ve learned that I pick things up much better when I just dive in and apply them in practice – without the rigid deadlines I had at university. I’ve also discovered a strong interest in the so-called “soft” skills – like communication, collaboration, and leadership. These were things I never really encountered during my studies but that I’ve become very passionate about today.