Tijn Notkamp

During the COVID-19 lockdown in high school, I discovered web development as a creative outlet. With extra time on my hands, I began learning HTML and CSS, experimenting with building simple web pages and personal portfolios. I quickly became fascinated with how much I could create from scratch using just a browser and a text editor.

My curiosity grew, and I soon wanted to make my websites dynamic—so I picked up PHP and started developing more advanced features like contact forms, user systems, and simple content management tools. Around the same time, I got involved in online communities and began exploring Discord bot development using Node.js. This was a turning point: building custom bots taught me about APIs, event-driven architecture, and backend logic in a real-world context.

This hands-on experience inspired me to take the next step. I enrolled in the Associate Degree Software Development program at Saxion University of Applied Sciences, where I began learning modern technologies like React, Node.js, Express, and Golang. These tools expanded my skill set into full-stack development, allowing me to build more complex, scalable, and professional applications.

What started as a hobby during a global lockdown has evolved into a clear passion and career direction—and I continue to build on that foundation every day.