BNNVARA - Full-Stack Developer
Public broadcaster internship turned full-time role. Working with React, TypeScript, PHP, Symfony, and GraphQL on internal applications, broadcast systems and the main website.
About BNNVARA
BNNVARA is a public broadcaster in the Netherlands, creating content for television, radio, and digital platforms. During my second year at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, I started my internship here - an experience that would shape my career path.
The Journey
Initial Focus: UX & Design
I started my internship with a focus on UX and design, learning about user-centered design principles and working on improving user experiences across various applications.
Transition to Development
After 2-3 months, I got the opportunity to join a developer team (still as an intern). This was a pivotal moment - I dove deep into full-stack development, learning from experienced developers and contributing to real production systems.
Extended Internship
My initial 6-month internship was extended for another 6 months, giving me the chance to work with different development teams and contribute to various internal applications. During this time, I gained hands-on experience with the full technology stack and development workflow.
Technology Stack
I work with a modern full-stack setup that powers BNNVARA's internal applications:
- Frontend: JavaScript, TypeScript, React
- Backend: PHP, Symfony
- API Layer: GraphQL Backend-for-Frontend (BFF)
- Architecture: Microservices, internal tooling, broadcast systems
This stack allows us to build scalable, maintainable applications that serve both internal teams and support broadcasting operations.
Key Project: Radio 2 Expense System
During my internship, I created a comprehensive project proposal for handling expense reimbursement for Radio 2 guests. This wasn't just a technical specification - it was a complete business case.
- Analyzed current manual processes and pain points
- Designed automated solution for expense tracking and reimbursement
- Created detailed cost calculation for development and maintenance
- Developed timeline for return on investment (ROI)
- Presented proposal to stakeholders
This project demonstrated not just technical skills, but also the ability to understand business needs, calculate costs, and present solutions that make financial sense.
Current Role
After completing my internship, I was offered a full-time position as a Full-Stack Developer. I've been working at BNNVARA since July 2024, continuing to build and maintain internal applications and tools that support the organization's broadcasting operations.
I work across different teams, contributing to various projects and continuously learning new technologies and approaches. The transition from intern to full-time developer has been an incredible learning experience.
What I Learned
- Working in a professional development environment with experienced teams
- Full-stack development with modern JavaScript/TypeScript and PHP/Symfony
- GraphQL architecture and Backend-for-Frontend patterns
- Creating business cases with cost calculations and ROI analysis
- Collaborating across teams and departments
- The importance of understanding both technical and business requirements
- Code review processes and maintaining production systems