Meet Apostolis Bakeras, one of Semmtech’s Linked Data consultants. What does his day at Semmtech look like? Read the interview with him below!

Hello Apostolis! Please introduce yourself shortly.

‘Hello, my name is Apostolis Barekas, also known as Apo in the office. I am from Greece, currently living in Rotterdam, and am 29 years old. I hold two master’s degrees, one in civil engineering and the other in construction management and engineering, from TU Delft, giving me a diverse background. Besides this, I really enjoy spending time with my friends and going to festivals; I love football and other forms of outdoor exercise.’

Can you describe the key responsibilities in your current role?

‘To begin with, I work for a major client in the energy sector most of my time. My primary goal is to help them structure their information and make it more interoperable. Consequently, much of my day involves working with Linked Data and advising clients on better master data management. The rest of my time is spent on a second client in the construction sector. My role there involves consulting on improving their information structure and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Moreover, I advise using Linked Data to achieve interoperability in their projects. Specifically, I propose solutions for structuring information using master data tools (such as the software Laces).

Beyond my client responsibilities, I am focused on growth and continuous learning. I contribute to our internal capability of Master Data (one of our ‘Fields of expertise’) by gathering the latest knowledge and ensuring it is effectively shared across our organization.

Last but not least, I was occupied with an exciting project in the past year where we developed a new Linked Data viewer. In this project, I not only delved into the technical aspects of Linked Data but also had the opportunity to act as the Product Owner. My role involved gathering client requirements, translating them into functional requirements, and collaborating with our developers to create an application that met the client’s requirements and needs. Our vision (Semmtech) is to train and equip our clients so that in the future, they can use the technology independently and have smarter information to make better-informed decisions.’

How did you learn about Linked Data?

‘I first encountered Linked Data in my master’s thesis at TU Delft. Back then, I was tasked with modeling and capturing information for the needs of sewerage system asset managers. Through my research, I discovered that the easiest and most scalable way to capture and structure the information was by using Linked Data. This led me to learn about Semmtech and their pioneering projects in Linked Data. Their reports helped me understand more about the technology.

After completing my thesis, I knew that Semmtech was one of the organizations where I wanted to begin my career in information management because it could deepen my knowledge of Linked Data.’

That sounds quite technical. What did the learning and development look like within Semmtech?

‘Indeed, it is quite technical at times. However, Semmtech dedicates the first month of all new people to training, where you can learn and familiarize yourself with the necessary skills and knowledge.’

‘Additionally, the combination of highly knowledgeable colleagues and dedicated time that Semmtech provides you each week for learning and development ensures that you can acquire the expertise you want and need for your chosen field.

Lastly is the space and trust the company gives you to apply this to real projects and provide space to develop yourself. Practice makes perfect, right?’

Do you have advice for recent graduates and perhaps more experienced people looking to expand their careers?

‘You’re never too old to learn new skills or technologies. Look at me, for example. I am a civil engineer but now work as an IT consultant. For me, it’s most important not to be afraid of trying new things and getting your hands dirty to learn about a new technology or new topic/field. Embrace the challenge and continuously seek opportunities to learn more and grow!’

Does this sound interesting? Check out our vacancy page if you see yourself in Apostolis’ work and want to boost your Linked Data skills. We are looking for both experienced Linked Data consultants and junior consultants.