»Best advice I was ever given« | 19 questions with Gizem Soylu, Expert SAP BTP developer

What was your first professional job?

I began my career in the IT department of A101 – a huge discount supermarket chain in Turkey.

What is your role in NTT DATA Business Solutions today?

I am an Expert SAP BTP developer, and i’ve been here for five years now in NTT DATA. My job is to understand what our clients need, and develop an application or solution on SAP Cloud for them. It’s basically about making the client happy. I started at NTT DATA in Turkey and relocated internally in the company to Bulgaria, and now I’m in Copenhagen. NTT DATA Business Solutions makes me feel at home, so that’s why I can’t imagine working anywhere else.

How can you feel that you are working in a global company?

I think our common international projects makes us global – and we are focusing a lot on global projects right now, and also working regionally across the Nordic countries. I really support this idea because working globally gives us a new perspective and makes us improve ourselves and our company.

What is your educational background?

I graduated with a masters degree in environmental engineering in Turkey. My goal has always been to bring sustainability and development to the companies I’ve worked for – that’s why I’m also working on a sustainability project in NTT DATA in the Netherlands and NTT DATA in Denmark.

What is the best part of working as a SAP BTP developer?

BTP is like a community. We are building together and that’s the best part of the SAP ecosystem for me. Everyone has their role and wants to do better.

What is the biggest cultural difference between Denmark and Turkey?

In Denmark, communication tends to be more direct, which I really appreciate. In Turkey, workplace hierarchies can sometimes make it harder to openly discuss issues with a superior, but of course, this depends on the company culture.

What’s on your mind right now?

I just came back from a month in Istanbul, and I missed our office environment. I sat down at my desk for the first time in a while, and my colleagues were welcoming and smiling. Everyone is respected here, and I feel comfortable working and socializing. I missed that feeling when I was in Turkey.

What is the strangest thing you’ve noticed that Danes do?

It’s not strange, but something that really stands out to me is how well you separate work and personal life. That’s something I admire and I am trying to learn.

Getting home from work – what is the first thing you do?

It’s too cold for me here, so first I need to get warm. Then I usually open my laptop and check what I did today and what I’m going do tomorrow. I like to create a “hyggecorner” at home and watch some content on subjects I am interested in and speak with my friends on video calls. And I like to walk. Especially by the water.

Any hobbies? 

I was a professional football referee for seven years in Turkey. I do gym, sports, running, kickboxing. I already signed up for the football team in NTT DATA Business Solutions, and we’re going to the global football tournament in the Netherlands this June, plus I’m running the Half Marathon in Aarhus with colleagues, arranged by our employee association. It’s also a hobby of mine to get more efficient at coding, so I’m learning in my spare time.

Growing up, what did you want to become?

Not a specific job. I just wanted to help people. I think that’s why I’m always happy, because when I’m happy it’s mirroring, and when I smile other people is also smiling. In high school, I watched the movie The Danish Girl, and I was fascinated by Denmark’s culture and openness. It made me feel that Denmark could be a dream country for me. Then I got this offer from Denmark, and I thought: I must go there. I think I’m living my dream and I’m happy for that.

Apple or Android?

It’s a shame, but yeah, I’m an Apple person.

What is one of the worst clichés you hear about IT consultants?

Everyone say IT people are nerds that don’t communicate easily and are a bit cold.

What is a true cliché about IT consultants?

Details. We like details. That is a true cliché. It can be a bit hard for your partner, I imagine.

Favorite snack?

Haribo! I’m always asking Lise our receptionist: »Do you have any Haribo for today?« And she always brings some Haribo candy to me. Thank you, Lise!

What was the last thing you asked a colleague for help with?

Expenses always makes me nervous. So, I asked my team: Can you please help me with expenses? We have great processes for doing expenses, getting tickets for flights, etc. But sometimes I get confused.

The best advice you have ever gotten?

Don’t give up. Move on. I come from a modest background, so it has not been easy for me to get to where I am today. But I always knew there was hope.

Next thing on your calendar today?

We are working on quite an important project for a client right now. We have a meeting with them later, and I think I’m going to make them happy today.