If I want to learn something new, time and budget are allocated for it

Who is Francis?

Hi, I am Francis Koelen, living in Almelo. I enjoy sports, but you can also always nudge me for a restaurant, a movie, or a visit to the theater. I started at Axelio in Hengelo as a Software Developer in May 2020. I have been completely at home here for a few years now.

How did you end up in the IT world?

After high school, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. Eventually, I chose to study Computer Science, and that turned out to be a bullseye. Soon after my studies, a great job opening for a programmer came up. That's how I got into it. I found it so interesting that I even took an extra computer science course in the evenings. And I still take internal courses at HBO level to continue developing myself.

You really go for it! What makes IT so fun?

In my first job, it was mainly the company that motivated me. I was young and had colleagues of the same age. The whole team was on the same page; learning and growing. During that time, I invested a lot in myself.

Now, several years later, I am still eager to learn. No day is the same, and that's what makes it so incredibly fun. At Axelio, I have what I experienced in my first job: I work with a young and eager team, we are independent but help each other when needed. That's how we keep growing. And if I want to learn something new, I can just indicate it. Then time and budget are allocated for it.

A few years ago, in 2022, we focused on the transition from programming language C/AL to AL, to prepare our AGRIO add-on for new, cloud-based Microsoft Dynamics. It turned our way of working upside down, and we had to invest a lot of time and energy into it. But I am proud of where we are now! This also showed that we are all in it together. We figure things out together and put energy into it, so we become better at our jobs. Add our nice clients with challenging questions to that, and you have an incredibly enjoyable job.

What is it like to work as a woman in the IT world?

We have several female developers, but there are also many women in other roles within the organization. For us in Hengelo, the balance between men and women is very important. But this is also felt more broadly within Axelio. That's why they are also committed to bringing in more women. I think that's a very nice development. There is an incredibly good working atmosphere among colleagues, both at my own location and with those from our other locations, especially Zwolle, where we work closely together. That makes me feel very much at home.

What makes working at Axelio so enjoyable?

Actually, a lot of things! Even the small things, like fresh fruit in the office in Hengelo and a good balance between work and private life. Additionally, small gestures are often arranged for occasions like holidays or summer vacations. And when we achieve good results, we often celebrate that with something small.

Moreover, our work is highly appreciated by colleagues and clients. That's incredibly nice and provides a lot of motivation. The organization is very flat, which allows us to truly be ourselves. We can also just walk into the manager or director's office for a chat, and during lunch, we discuss all sorts of (non-work-related) topics together.

What would you like to share with others in the IT world?

It doesn't really matter whether you are a man or a woman; you just have to take on the challenge. Sometimes it involves trial and error, but as long as you keep pushing through, you will get there! And don't be afraid to stop by for a nice cup of coffee. We are more than happy to show you our beautiful organization.