I came into contact with TASS while I was working on my graduation project. I had intended to continue studying for another two years, but a talk with the general manager persuaded me that it would be better to go and work for TASS.

I would acquire useful experience during those two years that I would have been studying. The pay was also interesting and TASS offered me attractive opportunities for development. Everything the general manager promised did in fact happen.

I started with the software development for remote controls and remote keyboards. After that I did a PC software project, followed by a project in Le Mans for the development of mobile phone software. Later I took part in a support project for an Intel X-scale processor in Leuven. My previous project was the software development on two audio-platforms for MP3-players.

I am now seconded as a test engineer to a company that works in the space industry. I am working here on the second Belgian satellite!

The days are as varied as the projects I have worked on. There are some common factors, though. I develop new software on recent hardware, analyse problems and look for and implement the solutions. Besides this, I attend meetings, of course.

I am involved in TIS: TASS Issue Steering committee. This is a kind of mini Works Council where developments and changes at TASS are discussed.

In any case the diversity. In the eight years I have worked at TASS, I have been involved in six fairly different projects. There is no question at all of boredom or getting into a rut. The terms of employment at TASS also form an attractive package.

I am not very focused on making definite plans for the future. After all, this can never be certain. As long as there are varied projects and opportunities for personal development, I am satisfied. I hope to grow at TASS via the regular path to senior technical designer and software architect.

I have a good feeling about TASS and I feel involved with the company and the personnel. I attend nearly all TASS meetings and certainly do not say 'no' to the activities after the meetings, either. TASS Belgium is a small group of fantastic and enthusiastic people that I am happy to be part of.

After my training in Romania, I studied OOTI at the Technical University of Eindhoven. Many people that graduated with me went working for TASS, because they were known as one of the best software specialists. Through TASS I wanted to learn more about Research and Development.

At this moment I am working at an independent research institute on the campus of the university. I am working at a project for a semiconductor manufacturer. Industrial partners and partners from the academic world work together in this research. The investigation is mainly focused on problems of the industrial partners. This way we create a win-win situation! The academic partners get more visibility on the practical aspects of technical problems. And simultaneously the industrial partners get new ideas from a different perspective. The knowledge and experience I gain from this project, I can later use for product development of customers.

In this line of work you are not tied to a particular way of thinking and there is less time pressure. If you wish you can even sleep over it. I still have an interest in the practical side: With all the research that I conducted, I always ask myself: What can TASS learn from this?

Knowledge is very important to TASS, and that is good. For example, you get several opportunities to share your knowledge through presentations.

At TASS it is nice to feel a part of a special team, a kind of Special Forces. Even clients know us as such. The working atmosphere at TASS suits me fine. You can exchange ideas with experienced people and therefore learn from their experience. Working at TASS is also fun; I like to take part in the TASS activities outside working hours.

At TASS, we focus on professionalism and quality. Working at TASS is a chance to gain experience, because you are always working at different projects and for different companies. Now I am working for a client who governs European and national subsidies for other business units. This differs from the usual projects of TASS. I seem to have little software programming activities, but am more involved in the technical definition of substantive research and development projects. Although I began as a software engineer at TASS, I have grown to be a software architect.

If you exploit the opportunities you get at TASS, you can develop yourself tremendously. Besides my daily work for customers, I am a member of the technical focus committee for Hardware / Software Interfacing (HSI). I coach students and teach workshops. HSI is a technical focus of TASS: a specialty in which we are “best of class" and we want to continue to build our brand.

The days at TASS are never standard. Today, for example, I had a meeting about MRI scanners and next week I'm in France for a display project in the automotive industry. I consult my colleagues regularly, not by meetings, but discussion: when I help my colleagues they help me.

TASS helps to fulfill your ambitions. If you indicate you want to explore your opportunities in management, TASS will take that into account when possible. At the moment I may choose for operational management versus technical development: that is not so obvious. I recently was allowed to join the Management Development Center. That means that you will be coached intensively in your work. Through self-insight you learn about your strengths and weaknesses, and your career ahead.

I think that TASS employees form a bond. For me and my colleagues: TASS is focused on dedication, quality and professionalism. We want to be proud of our work and are satisfied if we can make a successful contribution.

I started as a software engineer and have worked with man-machine applications and "PDA-like" toys for girls. After training my management skills I became a project manager. As a manager I was responsible for the development and maintenance of an application for transferring large data files. The next step in my career was to work as a quality manager for a few years, after which I became a people manager four years ago.

TASS is a company where you are encouraged to fulfill your ambitions. As a quality manager I got the chance to observe the processes within a business differently. When the process of changing from ISO 1994 to ISO 2001 had been completed, I thought it was time for a new challenge in my career. HRM has always had my attention, even in the time I was project manager. I like to help people make the right choices and make them succeed.

In addition to technique, working with people is what I like to do. This was why I quit as quality manager: I was no longer working with the technique. As a people manager I can talk with people about technology. Working with the technology inside consumer products is the best job for me.