Reflect – Learn – Grow | Talent Development at TOPIC

We believe personal and professional growth go hand in hand. That’s why we launched our Talent Development Program. A structured program designed to help our engineers gain insight into their strengths, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward their career ambitions.

Whether someone is early in their career or looking to grow within their current role, the program provides a valuable opportunity to reflect, learn, and take action. It runs over several months and includes a combination of Insights assessments, customized training modules, InterVision sessions, and one-on-one coaching. Following a successful pilot last year, the second edition of the program is now underway and has become a key part of TOPIC’s broader talent development strategy.

We recently spoke with Stijn Kamp, Software Designer at TOPIC and one of the first participants, about his experience and what the program has meant for his development. 

Read Stijn's story below!

Stijn, what motivated you to join the Talent Development Program?

For a while, I had been thinking a lot about my development. I often asked myself whether my work was still challenging and if I was in the right domain. After a few months in any project, I would feel stuck and unsure of what direction to take next. I wanted a clearer long-term vision for myself and to figure out whether I should specialize in a specific domain or move toward a broader role like system architect. The Talent Development Program felt like the right moment for me to explore that.

How did the program contribute to your personal and professional growth?

One of the most important insights I gained during the Talent Development Program was becoming aware of my strengths and pitfalls. Always wanting to do more without taking time to recognize what I had already developed was a real eye-opener for me.

By identifying what gives me energy, I discovered many new opportunities within my current role and domain to explore. With clearer criteria it became easier to express what I’m looking for and what’s possible in my immediate work environment.

Speaking up about this also led to new opportunities, like starting a new project with the right people around me. It was both challenging and rewarding, exactly what I was looking for.

What part of the program made the biggest impact on you?

What I really appreciated was having a personal coach who was independent from TOPIC. It made it easier to talk about my ambitions and focus on my own development and enjoyment at work. The one-on-one coaching sessions helped me turn abstract ideas into concrete actions and gave me the confidence to take steps I had been hesitant about.

The program also reminded me of the importance of taking more time to reflect, on both my professional and personal growth. This experience gave me that space and encouraged me to talk about my goals with colleagues, clients, and even friends and family. Those conversations helped me see new possibilities and gave me a broader perspective.

What are you taking with you into the future?

Overall, the Talent Development Program gave me the space to reflect and the tools to take action. I am still working on my development with more clarity and openness. I feel supported by TOPIC and more confident in asking for what I need to grow. Personal development is never finished, but this program gave me a strong foundation to build on.

>> Curious to discover more TOPIC’ers at work? Read our latest blog where Willem Oldemans shares more about learning and leading with Scrum. Link to blog: Learning and Leading with Scrum | Willem Oldemans

>> Ready for a new work challenge? Explore whether TOPIC is part of your future! Discover all our vacancies here and join the TOPIC family: Jobs at TOPIC – Vacancies