Alumni spotlight: from computer science to product management with Jos

In this blog, our former colleague Jos shares his professional journey, from software engineering to product management. He talks about how the Addestino team pushed him beyond his comfort zone and highlights the importance of building product and people skills along the way.

From a young age, Jos knew he wanted to study civil engineering. He was fascinated by computers, leading him to specialise in computer science and embedded systems after completing his bachelor’s degree. “The more hands-on my studies became, the more I enjoyed them,” he recalls. With his degree in high demand, Jos soon found himself being recruited by various companies.

In his final year of studies, Jos got a call from Barco, a multinational known for its imaging technology. “At the time, I didn’t overthink my career path – I just decided to go for it,” he says. He joined Barco as a software engineer in their Simulation division. “I worked in a small team of five, writing software for projectors used in advanced presentation systems and flight simulators. It was a great learning experience for someone starting out, and I had excellent colleagues. Over time, I realized I was eager to expand beyond my current programming role in a structured corporate environment. My passion for enhancing software architecture, platforms, and processes inspired me to seek new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Jos recalls how his journey to Addestino began unexpectedly. “One day I connected with Stefan, Addestino’s Managing Partner, with whom I discussed the possibility of applying my skills in a broader range of industries and projects within a dynamic and innovative environment.” His in-person interview with co-founder Dominique was particularly memorable. “He posed questions I’d never encountered before, designed to challenge both my analytical and creative thinking.” Transitioning from a large corporation to a boutique consulting firm was a significant shift, but Jos embraced the opportunity to make the change.

At Addestino, Jos shifted his focus to new product development – somewhat of a departure from his coding days at Barco. His role involved translating client needs into clear requirements, concepts and prototypes. “I had to keep a lot of balls in the air: brainstorming, aligning stakeholders and bringing ideas to life,” he says. “One noteworthy project was a collaboration with a government agency on a circular economy initiative, which revolved around developing a local virtual currency to support small businesses. Completely different from anything I’d done before, but the experience was incredibly valuable.”

Transitioning from software engineering to working closely with external clients requires a certain flexibility. “There was less coding and a greater focus on client interaction and collaboration.” Jos explains. This shift in mindset and work style meant he had to develop new skills, but he felt well-supported throughout. “The team was very aware of the challenges, and I received extensive training on new methodologies. We even held practice sessions with senior management to improve how we handled real-world client scenarios.”

One of Jos’s key roles at Addestino – and which would later turn out to be a crucial stepping stone for the rest of his career – was his work with Technicolor. “I took on a hybrid role, splitting my time between working as a software architect and contributing to smaller consulting projects for other clients. This variety kept things interesting and allowed me to apply my skills in different sectors.” After collaborating with Technicolor on a long-term project, an opportunity arose for a product manager position. “This was a natural next step for me, as I was already well-acquainted with the inner workings of the organisation.”

Looking back on his time at Addestino, Jos is especially grateful for the team’s focus on the end user experience for consulting clients. “They taught me how to interpret business requirements and turn them into real, actionable solutions. The mindset and process of conducting in-depth interviews, wireframing, prototyping, presenting and implementing feedback is something I still rely on every day.”

Jos also credits Addestino with sharpening his communication skills. “I had plenty of interaction with people both inside and outside the company, collaborating with a wide range of profiles and seniority levels. This experience helped me become a more effective communicator and refine my presentation skills, making the transition to my later roles as product manager and VP of Product Management much smoother.”

When asked what sets Addestino apart and how it fits into an ambitious career plan, Jos doesn’t hesitate. “The strength comes from a combination of experienced senior partners and all-round bright, ambitious young talent. Every colleague brings their own unique background, personal interests and quirks, which makes for a team spirit that is hard to find anywhere else.”