»My love for IT ended up being the one that grew the most«
Five defining moments from Mark van der Heiden
1. From pixels to programming
The first brushstrokes of my journey were painted with dreams of graphic design, but the unexpected twist of IT was about to unfold. Graphic design led me to an open day at the Grafisch Lyceum in Rotterdam, where they also showcased programming studies. This sparked my interest, and in the end my love for IT ended up being the one that grew the most.
2. With an open heart to new adventures
My application for the graphic design course didn’t get selected, leaving me standing at a crossroads. And so, with a heart open to new adventures, I ventured down the road of programming. Despite my lack of experience, coding excited me, leading me to a new career path.
"Amidst the lines of code and debugging sessions, a deeper passion emerged. The satisfaction of solving puzzles, the allure of complex challenges—it all coalesced into a profound drive within me."
Mark van der Heiden
3. Pursuing expertise in software development
With a thirst for knowledge, the journey took a transformative turn. Enrolling in Informatica at the Hogeschool Rotterdam, I embraced the tools of software development and expanded my horizons. After completing my internship and getting ready for my first career steps, I decided to focus on software development.
4. Bridging IT and life experiences
Amidst the lines of code and debugging sessions, a deeper passion emerged. The satisfaction of solving puzzles, the allure of complex challenges—it all coalesced into a profound drive within me.
5. Broadening horizons
As my career progresses, I dare to dream beyond the industry of technology. That’s why I’m brimming with anticipation for an upcoming, personal endeavors. The destination? South Africa. Hand in hand with my wife, I’ll travel from Johannesburg to Cape Town, a voyage that is also a new adventure: just like my IT career.
