From Architecture to Technology That Truly Helps

Three years ago, Joslin moved from South Africa to the Netherlands. After earning her Master's degree in Architecture and spending several years working in the industry, she decided to take her career in a different direction. Today, she works as a Medior BIM Product Specialist within BIMcollab’s Digital Customer Experience team, where she supports customers, develops training materials, and helps build the BIMcollab Academy.

I realised architecture wasn't my final destination

Architecture taught me a lot. I completed my master's degree, worked at a respected architecture firm, and contributed to international projects.

At the same time, after a few years, I started to realise that the profession wasn't quite what I wanted for the long term.

The architecture industry is exciting, but it can also be demanding. Projects often span several years, deadlines are tight, and workloads can be intense. When I moved to the Netherlands, it felt like the right moment to rethink what I truly enjoyed doing.

During my time as an architect, I had already been introduced to BIM software. Not at the level we work with at BIMcollab, but enough to see how much impact technology can have on construction projects.

That sparked my curiosity.

This is where everything came together

When I came across the BIM Product Specialist vacancy, it immediately caught my attention.

I joined the support team, which is now called the Digital Customer Experience team. Alongside helping customers, I also work on the BIMcollab Academy, our online learning platform for users.

What I enjoy most is the variety.

One day I might be helping customers solve software-related questions. The next, I could be developing new training materials, creating learning content, or improving onboarding experiences. That variety suits me much better than spending years working on a single project.

More similarities with architecture than you might think

Although my work today is very different from architecture, I still see surprising similarities.

When developing a new course, for example, you start with research. You gather information, explore ideas, and gradually build towards a finished product.

In many ways, that process feels similar to designing a building.

My architectural background also helps me every day. I understand the challenges our customers face because I've experienced them myself. I know how frustrating it can be when information gets lost, communication breaks down, or project teams struggle to stay aligned.

That's exactly why I believe in what BIMcollab does.

An environment where you can keep growing

One of the things I appreciated from the beginning is the opportunity to keep developing yourself.

I started as a Junior BIM Product Specialist and have since grown into a medior role. Along the way, I’ve also had the chance to follow courses that align with my interests. For example, I completed a course in Instructional Design to better understand how people learn online and how to create effective training programmes.

If you show interest in something, people genuinely look for ways to help you develop further.

I've experienced that myself, and I've seen many colleagues grow into new roles throughout the organisation.

Innovative and people-focused

BIMcollab is a company that is constantly evolving.

The market changes, technology develops rapidly, and customer expectations continue to grow. That means you're constantly learning and challenging yourself.

At the same time, the company feels very human.

There is a lot of trust and flexibility. The work-life balance is good, managers regularly check in with you, and support is always available when you need it. That creates a sense of stability.

Even though I work remotely most of the time, I still feel very connected to my team. We speak every day, help each other when needed, and work closely with colleagues across the organisation.

When will you feel at home here?

I think BIMcollab is a great fit for people who are curious and enjoy continuous learning.

You don't need to know everything from day one. When I started, I certainly didn't know everything about BIM either. What's more important is being open to learning and willing to develop yourself.

It also helps if you enjoy collaborating with others and get energy from helping people succeed.

Because in the end, that's what our work is all about: helping customers collaborate better and making projects run more smoothly.