Think Pink, Code Smart: Claudia Smashes IT Stereotypes

Claudia got into gaming and programming as a teenager. That’s when she felt her passion for everything pink and Hello Kitty was at odds with the male-dominated world of tech. “Self-respecting developers prefer dark interfaces—that’s the stereotype, at least. So, I thought people would take me more seriously if I toned myself down But I’ve since changed my mind. I see my bursts of pink as tokens of power and confidence: I can resolve security issues and fix bugs all while being myself.” What do her coworkers think of it? “They love it!”

Helping customers see the bigger picture

Claudia works as a DevOps engineer and Java community lead at Rabobank’s mortgage domain. She and her coworkers develop digital solutions that help customers find the right mortgage for them. And it’s something she finds very satisfying.

One of her favorite projects is the Hypotheek Bereken Tool (Mortgage Calculation Tool) (https://bankieren.rabobank.nl/wonen/hypotheek/hypotheek-berekenen/persoonlijke-situatie), enabling customers to find out exactly how much they can borrow. They can then schedule a meeting with an advisor to discuss the results and any other questions. This advisor assigns them to a consultant who understands their situation best. It’s a multilayered process, but Claudia and her team have managed to automate from end to end. “Buying a home is up there as one the biggest financial decisions of your life, and it can be particularly nerve-wracking in the current market. Our software helps customers understand the bigger picture and enjoy the process more. I’m glad I get to play a part in that!”

One community

Claudia joined Rabobank in 2024. Her husband was working at the bank as a solution architect and was always positive about the organization. “I’m really interested in security, risks and compliance. One day, he turned to me and said: ‘I think you’d love working at Rabobank.’” And he was right. Claudia was struck by how a huge organization like Rabobank, with around 10,000 IT professionals, can feel so supportive. “Some people think you’ll be confined to your own team, in your own department. But it’s totally different here,” she says. “If my team needs help, I can reach out to other teams or even other domains, who often reply straight away and provide support. People are really eager to help each other out as colleagues. They truly take Rabobank’s ‘Growing a better world together’ mission to heart.”

Minions, Schwifty and Kingsman

Rabobank’s IT organization offers lots of scope for creativity. For instance, teams are free to pick their own name: Minions, Schwifty and Kingsman (of which Claudia is a member) being a few examples. “That name was the product of an all-male team,” she says. “Each week, someone’s on duty to resolve incidents. They’re known as the ‘King of the Week.’ But when I’m in charge, I’m obviously the ‘Queen’.”

Women in Tech Community

Claudia plays an active role in two communities at Rabobank, the Java Community and the Women in Tech Community, and describes how she feels the same willingness to support each other as she does in IT. “Women in Tech is a safe space to share experiences and help each other. We talk about evolutions in tech, as the name suggests, but also about issues women face in the workplace, such as hormones and menopause, and how to lift the taboo on them. There’s also a mentorship program for women looking to train as IT specialists.”

As Claudia is currently the sole female engineer in a team of men, she finds the community particularly validating. “It’s great to have a network of women who know what you’re going through.” She has one message for young women in IT: “Be who you want to be. You don’t need to shrink to fit in. Teams grow when people are allowed to be themselves.”

Meer lezen