Our employee spotlight series is designed to connect with you, our readers, by sharing stories and experiences of employees throughout Vispero. This month, we are spotlighting Gert-Jan van Barneveld, Account Manager at Optelec for the Work & Study Department in The Netherlands.
Gert-Jan is passionate about helping companies adapt their workplaces to meet the needs of blind and vision impaired people.
We chatted with Gert-Jan to discover how he got started with Optelec, what brings him joy in his career, and how he combines his loves for nature and photography.
Q&A with Gert-Jan
What was your first job?
Gert-Jan: After my electronics training, I worked at a small company as a CAD designer. My job was to design small circuit boards used in measuring equipment. I didn’t work there very long because it wasn’t a very pleasant company.
My wife alerted me to a job opening for a technician at a small company that sold assistive devices for the blind and visually impaired. I started working there in 1990.
How long have you been working at Vispero?
G: In September of this year, I will be working at Vispero/Optelec for 20 years, having worked at ALVA from 1993 to 2005. At that time, that company developed the ALVA braille displays.
What initially attracted you to your field and how has that passion developed over time?
G: Initially, I was very much into the technical side of the devices we make and sell. But slowly that shifted to advising companies and individual customers on custom fitting of assistive devices.
What was your dream job as a child and how does it relate to your current position?
G: I didn’t have a dream job in mind as a child. However, I was very interested in engineering and electronics, so it was quite logical for me to pursue an education in that direction.
In my current job, I don’t do much with electronics, but the technical knowledge helps me in advising people and sometimes troubleshooting.
Looking back on your career so far, what achievement are you most proud of?
G: The fact that more and more large companies and (government) organizations are actively approaching us to contract with us to manage their workstations for the blind and visually impaired, is for me an important result of years of positively representing Vispero/Optelec’s name and value in the Dutch market. And I am quite proud of that!
What recent achievement at work gives you the most energy?
G: I get new energy every time from professionals in the market who approach us for information or to consult. These are often people who are making decisions about funding tools, or IT people who want more advanced information about applying our products.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out at Vispero?
G: For starters, be proud of the products we develop and sell. That is the starting point for pleasant and positive cooperation with colleagues and customers.
Outside of work, what are you most passionate about?
G: It may not be very surprising, but I am passionate about my wife, children, and my friends. In addition, music plays an important role in my life. And when it comes to traveling and vacationing, Sweden is my favorite country. In fact, I love that country so much that I took a course in Swedish for 4 years and can now talk to people there a little easier.
Do you have any hidden talents or unique hobbies? Share them with us!
G: Oh, do you have a minute? I really enjoy being outside in nature, especially to observe and photograph wildlife in the woods. I like to cook, and almost always with fresh products. I also play double bass and bass guitar; until a few years ago in bands, nowadays mostly as a session musician in (studio) music projects.
One day a week I can be found in my workshop in a pop center, repairing music equipment and electronic instruments for musicians and studios.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
G: The more you are yourself, the more you will be appreciated by people.
Do you have a favorite quote or motto that you live by?
G: Approach and treat everyone with kindness and respect.
You have a time machine! Would you travel to the past or the future and why?
G: I would take a day to see what life was like in the Middle Ages.