In Her Words: Jitteke, Senior Tech Lead at Rabobank

If you had to name one skill that has been the most valuable in your career, what would it be and how did you develop it?

Empathy. I believe it's an incredibly important skill in any career. Ultimately, it’s all about people… people working together to create something meaningful. That’s why I started out as a Scrum Master: everything you do revolves around people, and success only happens when you truly see and support each other. Sometimes you're not just working for an organization, but also for a manager or colleague who inspires you to go the extra mile. That might be because you believe in the goals, which I think is very important, but also because the work environment is respectful and collaborative. As a manager, having empathetic skills is essential. Personally, I feel this really suits me. I developed this skill by actively asking questions, listening carefully, and postponing judgment. I also completed a coaching course to deepen and refine this ability. And it doesn’t mean everything is perfect, but I do try to understand where someone is coming from and what they want to learn. From there, I look for a balance between what’s good for the people and what’s good for the company. I often hear from others that they really appreciate this approach.

What do you think is the biggest myth or misconception about working in the tech sector?

A major misconception is that you need to be extremely technical to work in tech. Almost everything we do in daily life has a technical component. There’s a huge need for people with diverse backgrounds and skill sets in every sector, also in tech. Of course, we need technical experts with deep knowledge, but there are also many other specializations required. People often forget about this dimension. When you say “working in tech,” many assume it’s only for technically skilled individuals, while in reality, many more people could thrive in this field. What’s important is that you genuinely enjoy it and are intrinsically motivated to understand how things work. You need to be willing to explore the world of tech and gradually grasp its concepts. You don’t have to pretend to understand everything… just keep learning, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. It all comes together eventually.

What’s one unexpected piece of advice you would give to someone who dreams of being in your shoes one day, especially in terms of personal growth and career fulfillment?

I’ve always found questions like “Where do you see yourself in five years?” quite difficult. Of course, it’s good to know what you want to learn and how you want to grow, but I never had a specific role in mind. My advice is: when opportunities come your way, take them, but only if they truly fit you and make you happy. Ask yourself: do I want this? Does it excite me? Okay, maybe it’s a bit scary, but will I learn things I want to learn? Then it’s the right step. Don’t take a step up just because it feels like the next logical move. I’ve always made decisions based on what felt right and what brought me joy. So my advice is: don’t tie yourself to a specific role or end goal. Instead, look at what comes your way and whether it fits what you need right now. I truly believe that the right step will come naturally. That does mean stepping out of your comfort zone. It doesn’t always have to be easy, but you should find joy and energy in it.

Do you think there’s a specific trait or mindset that helped you thrive as a woman in tech, and how can graduates develop that early on?

Yes, I’ve definitely thought about this. It’s still a male-dominated field, especially in tech. When you’re young, it’s easy to go along with the group. That can be challenging, because men and women often think differently and value different things. That’s why it’s so important to stay true to yourself. You don’t always have to go along with the crowd. Sometimes you need to open others’ eyes and say, “Hey, this isn’t normal,” or “This should be different.” It’s hard to speak up, especially when you’re young. Therefore, I really want to emphasize the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded people who can support you and help you be a connector when needed. These can be women, but I’ve also had plenty of male colleagues who shared the same values and mindset. When I was a Scrum Master, I worked with people who dared to bring up things that otherwise wouldn’t be discussed. That’s refreshing and important. It’s also valuable to find role models in your environment… people you can talk to about everyday things and look up to. So I think staying close to yourself, finding the right people around you, and being open in your communication are truly essential to thrive in Tech.

What role has building a strong network played in your career? Has it helped you open doors or overcome challenges? And how important is it for young talent to start networking early?

A strong network is incredibly important, especially if you can find and include a few role models in your circle as well. When I started as a consultant, I worked with four or five women in IT. That made a real difference. When it comes to looking up to people that inspire you, but also to have people you know you can discuss certain topics with. For example: later, before I left my previous employer, I was the only woman at a certain level. When I left, it wasn’t just ‘Jitteke is leaving’… it was ‘another woman is leaving.’ That response said a lot. It showed how important it is not only for the culture of an organization but also for your own growth to have people around you who share your experiences, who understand your perspective, and who inspire you. Seeing others in different positions or with certain leadership styles helps you believe that the same opportunities exist for you too to reach parts of yourself you haven’t yet explored. Besides that, knowing the right people, both consciously and unconsciously, can create a sense of trust and recognition, for you and for them. Especially when you’re young, it’s valuable to talk to people and get to know them. Within a large organization, but also outside of it, opportunities arise because of the people you know. When you’re just starting out, joining a young professionals network like Young Rabo or connecting with trainees can be incredibly valuable. You get to meet people from different parts of the organization, which opens doors while you can exchange stories and help each other. I think that it’s also important to find these like-minded people… those who are just starting out too and build your own active network by engaging with them. But also, don’t be afraid to grab a coffee with someone in the organization outside of your network, for instance if you have questions about other teams or roles. Find out who you need to talk to, and don’t hesitate to start that conversation. You’ll learn a lot about how the organization works, pick up useful tips for your own development, and hear what people do in different roles and levels. Super valuable!

What do you like about your employer?

I’m a Senior Tech Lead within Distributed Networks, where I’m responsible for Wi-Fi across all our offices worldwide, our global datacentres, and two key security systems within the bank. Before this, I worked at another bank where I was more focused on the front-end side. But I was looking for something new. After the conversations with the people within Rabo I was convinced that their vision and goals resonated with me. Which was really important to me and that the job also made me excited, because it was something totally new but really interesting. During these conversations I also found out that the real-life expectations about how you could fill in the role can be surprisingly different than what you read in the vacancy. I know that this is something that happens more often but this time I felt that the job would fit me even better than I was expecting at first. So my last advice would be to always try and find out more about the job in interviews. Furthermore, I really feel a connection with the people I work with. I currently lead multiple teams, and what stands out is the passion and support within each one. That drive to build meaningful things together is what truly inspires me to get better every day as a team and as an individual.