From starter to key player in the team

Bram Agterberg began his career without any prior knowledge of Pega, yet he has since evolved into a Pega Senior System Architect, co-practice lead, and a vital part of BPM Company. After finishing his studies, one thing was clear to him: a full-time coding role wasn’t the right fit. What he did want was to tackle business challenges and processes—bridging the gap between IT and the business. It was through BPM Company that he discovered Pega, and it turned out to be the perfect match.

 

The first steps of Pega projects

“After completing the Academy, where I learned everything about Pega, I started my first project at the Dutch government. Fortunately, during the early stages I was guided by a senior colleague from BPM Company. That mentorship was incredibly valuable—he had exactly the profile I aspired to grow into, both technically and functionally. After six months, we moved on to another government project, and that’s where I really began to work more independently. By the time I started with a new client a year later, it truly felt like I had completed the traineeship.”

 

What’s it like to join a Pega team as a Junior?

“As a trainee, the focus is mainly on learning and observing. That changes once you step into the role of a junior—you’re given more responsibility and start handling user stories independently. In the various Pega teams I’ve worked with, I’ve learned an incredible amount. What stood out to me most was how willing colleagues are to help—especially when you show that you’re eager to learn.”

 

What skills are essential for advancing in Pega?

According to Bram, advancing in Pega isn’t just about technical knowledge. In fact, soft skills play a crucial role in making the difference. The following skills, according to him, are indispensable:

1. Communication

“Clear communication and the ability to dig deeper to get to the root of a problem are skills that immediately add value to a team.”

2. Persistence

“When you don’t fully understand a topic, it’s important to do your own research. Put in the hours and dive into it yourself. If you truly want to understand it, you’ll eventually learn it on your own.”

3. Curiosity

“Lastly, it’s important to maintain the desire and curiosity to keep learning. I think that’s really crucial, as it allows you to carve your own path and shape your role in a way that suits you best.”

 

How do you develop these soft skills?

“When I want to develop a soft skill, I can always discuss it with my manager, and often a training is arranged. For hard skills, there’s a study budget that you’re responsible for managing yourself. The key is to have the conversation and clearly explain why you want to learn something—then, a lot is possible.”

 

Where do you still want to develop yourself? And where do you see yourself in 5 years?

“That’s a great question, and the funny thing is, it’s actually the same question that’s been on my mind for the past 5 years, because I’m not entirely sure. I have a good sense of what I do and don’t enjoy in my work. My goal is to do as much of what I enjoy as possible and as little of what I don’t enjoy. So, I don’t really focus on where I want to be in 5 years, but rather on feeling in the moment: this seems great to do, and from there, I’ll continue to grow.”

 

What advice would you give to someone starting with Pega?

“Ask lots of questions, and don’t be afraid to ask them. Really try to understand what the answer means and why the underlying architecture—like that of Pega—is important. Once you grasp that, you’ll be able to grow much faster. And perhaps most importantly: make sure you’re enjoying yourself.”

 

Growing together at BPM Company

Bram’s story shows how an open mindset, eagerness to learn, and perseverance can pave the way to a successful career in Pega. At BPM Company, you’ll find the guidance, resources, and freedom to grow in a direction that suits you. Whether you’re just starting out or already have experience, here you’ll have the opportunity to make an impact—on projects and on your own future.