Tim Blok is a developer at Topicus’ Education division. “I work on software that supports education, but my role goes far beyond just programming. I’m directly involved in gathering user feedback, which allows me to see the impact our work has on daily practice. It’s that direct connection with the end user that makes my work truly meaningful.”
That’s why Topicus
“When I first came into contact with Topicus in 2019, the culture and atmosphere immediately appealed to me. I started in the Finance division, but later made the switch to Education. As a result, I’ve been part of several teams. The atmosphere is great everywhere! Sometimes it feels like you’re working with friends, but on something that really matters. It’s not all serious—there’s room for fun while you’re building a serious product.”
Tim finds it important to be able to delve into topics that interest him. That’s why he’s enthusiastic about the “Education Do-Your-Thing Day” he has once every two weeks. “That’s a day I can block off in my calendar and fill in myself. Sometimes I take a course, sometimes I dive into a topic I came across. Innovative ideas often come out of that. Our product KeyHub, for example, originated from one of those days.”
I’m proud of this
“I’m proud of the partnerships we have with our users. For instance, we regularly sit down with school boards and show them what we’ve built. The feedback we receive is very valuable. Because of that direct involvement, you know exactly how the product you’ve built is actually received and used. It ensures that I don’t have to hear secondhand what users think of it, but that, as a developer, I get direct input I can use to move forward. I want to know how we can add value. That gives me a lot of energy!”
In addition to his work as a developer, Tim also contributes to other initiatives. For example, he mentors students within Topicus, and he’s involved in a project for high school students and the University of Twente. “It’s great that at Topicus you’re given the space to take on things that interest you. Not everything has to be directly product-oriented. It’s also about your personal development and your interests. There’s also a lot going on outside of work. I enjoy attending the monthly get-together and I’m the guitarist for the TopiBand.”
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