My story about Cube where I was allowed to grow into a true developer.

A humble beginning.

Helping out a bit on Saturdays and during school holidays by moving some blocks here and there on Wordpress and adjusting the occasional colour; this is how my "career" as a developer at Cube actually started. You didn't need to ask me what PHP was used for, or how our websites were hosted; this was still too high for me. However, slowly but steadily my knowledge expanded and I started doing more than just adjusting texts and/or colours. I started helping out with some front-end development; first still in flat HTML but later linked to a content management system. It was still not what I would call "semantically correct" code, but at least it was something.

Knowledge growth.

Within no time at all, due to the excellent learning environment that had been created, I had managed to boost my programming skills quite a bit. In a way, this knowledge growth of mine also symbolises Cube's growth. With every new colleague who came to work at Cube, you saw a direct injection of knowledge in return. New methods and software were introduced to take the company to the next level, after which you noticed that all colleagues simultaneously went along with the increased level, myself included. Despite the fact that I only helped out a few days a month, no expense was spared to transfer all the accumulated knowledge to me as well.

From FIFA to table football.

Business-wise, Cube also took off. Whereas in the beginning we used to take a break quite often to play a few games of FIFA in between, and things were not always serious, things are now much more structured. There is a lot more thinking about business processes and ways to work more efficiently for clients. Yet the culture of relaxing and blowing off steam with each other has always remained. The table football or tennis table still rings through the premises daily, occasionally complemented by loud, enthusiastic sounds. A harmonious collaboration between work & relaxation has been created over the years.

A feeling.

Meanwhile, we are back in the year 2019, over 5 years on and I can honestly say that I have learnt a lot during my years at Cube. Not only in terms of knowledge, but also in terms of working methods and life experiences. Over the past 5 years, I have been able to experience unforgettable company outings, where it always feels like being with one big group of friends. This feeling has always remained.

Because I was sometimes only sporadically available for some periods because of my studies, I was able to take a good look at the changes within Cube from a distance. Sometimes I would visit again after a few weeks: suddenly the whole office had been changed and I suddenly had a few new colleagues. Still, when I returned, I was always welcomed with open arms. And actually, if you look closely, not even that much has changed substantially within Cube. Yes, there is more knowledge now than ever before, and in the past few years I have welcomed over 25 new colleagues, but still, at its core, it remains the same company that I rolled into by chance 5 years ago, and that is only positive.

What now?

Now, as a true veteran of Cube (or as my colleagues used to say: as part of Cube's furniture), I am leaving the nest where I started as an ignorant 16-year-old adjusting texts and colours, but where I was allowed to grow into a true developer. I was able to help out and make valuable contributions to projects that really add something. I currently live in Amsterdam and am in the final year of my bachelor's degree in "Medical Information Science", and I find that I can immediately apply the knowledge and experience I have gained in my studies and in practice. I will always take this gained knowledge and experience with me for the future.

Cube, thanks and see you soon!

Rick Lansink