A familiar face with a fresh start: Ilse shares her story

Some people hardly need an introduction — and yet, we’re more than happy to introduce them once again! After completing two successful internships at Orange Juice, it came as no surprise (but certainly a cause for celebration) when Ilse officially joined our team as a front-end developer this April. Time for a proper re-introduction!

Tell us more about yourself

“Well, I’m Ilse, I’m 23 years old and I live at home in Veenendaal with my dad, my little sister, and our dog, Laika,” she starts. “When I’m not at Orange Juice, you’ll usually find me behind my computer — gaming or listening to music.”

When it comes to her taste in music, Ilse describes it as a mix of metal and rock, with the occasional hint of dubstep — something we still remember well from her internship days. Besides gaming and music, Ilse enjoys puzzles and creative projects, a passion that serves her well both in her free time and in her work as a developer.

Ilse

Why Orange Juice?

An interview always feels a little different when the coffee and the faces are already so familiar. For Ilse, it was a natural step to follow up her internships with a permanent spot on the team. “After two internships, which basically added up to a year of experience, I already knew during my very first internship: this is where I feel at home. The energy, the team, the projects — everything just clicked. So when the opportunity came along to stay, the decision was an easy one.”

What exactly will you be doing at Orange Juice?

From intern to front-end developer — Ilse is now not just learning and exploring, but fully diving into the development process. “My focus is mainly on the visible part of web applications,” Ilse explains. “The things users interact with directly, even though the logic behind them is often quite complex. Think of configurators or calendars. I love challenging myself with tricky puzzles — and with the projects coming up, I know I won’t be sitting still anytime soon.”

What are you extremely good at?

Ilse describes herself as direct and solution-oriented. “When someone comes to me with a problem, I’m not the type to dwell on it or complain — I’d rather jump right in and help find a solution,” she says with a smile. “And on the creative side, I actually love drawing, although I haven’t had the chance to use that skill much at work — yet!”

What makes you happy, at work or in life?

“Challenges, without a doubt. Whether it’s a game, a coding problem, or a puzzle — I love figuring things out and solving them,” Ilse shares. “Working together with colleagues to find the best solution really gives me energy. Everyone brings a different perspective to the table, and that helps me broaden my own.”

Where do you see yourself in five years?

The coming years hold plenty of growth for Ilse, both personally and professionally. “I’m hoping to move to Arnhem soon, with my boyfriend — with some pets, of course,” she laughs. “And work-wise, I want to keep developing my skills as a front-end developer. Maybe I’ll even start using more of my design background again. Small steps, but getting stronger with each one.”

We still have current job openings! Will you also join our team? 

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