Building the future of payments: Cheyenne’s first years at Isabel

At only 24, Cheyenne is a full‑stack software developer working on one of Belgium’s most trusted payment platforms: Isabel 6. Her trajectory is a great illustration of what happens when a motivated graduate meets an environment that embraces learning and responsibility. 

A taste of both the “kitchen” and the “dining room” 

Cheyenne describes her role using a metaphor anyone can understand: “At Isabel, I do the waiter part, the things the customer sees. And I also do the kitchen part: customers don’t see it, but they definitely feel the output. That’s the back-end.” As a full‑stack developer, she works on everything from user interfaces to deep technical integrations. In the past year, she contributed to major features such as instant payments and verification of the payee, two high‑impact components for Isabel 6 customers. 

A pandemic student seeking real impact 

Cheyenne studied software development at Karel de Grote Hogeschool in Antwerp. “As I started my studies during the Covid period, the first two years were mostly remote. So I stayed an extra year to actually experience college life.” What she always knew was that she wanted to work in fintech. “I applied, and Isabel was very interested in me. So I went for it.” Cheyenne started working with the Isabel 6 squad, becoming the very first graduate in her department. 

Thrown in the deep end, and loving it 

Some juniors begin with low‑risk tasks to get warmed up. Cheyenne’s first assignment? Not exactly that. “The first thing I did was integrating itsme signing for foreign currencies in Isabel 6. It was directly an important feature. For someone who specifically told her interviewers she didn’t want to work on “futile” projects, it was the perfect match. 

“I didn’t do it alone, of course. But I loved that they trusted me with something that really mattered.” While some new developers prefer a gentle start, Cheyenne thrives under challenge: “If I don’t get challenged, I get bored. They threw me in the deep end, and I swam.” 

Support, growth, and learning culture: a work environment that fits her drive 

Even with high expectations, Cheyenne never felt left on her own. Isabel’s buddy system is something she greatly appreciated. 

She also benefited from training opportunities, including a year‑long leadership program for young employees. 

“Isabel is always happy to support you in obtaining certifications too. But there’s no pressure: it’s only if you want it. That’s something I really value.” 

Her studies prepared her well in terms of coding fundamentals, but the real challenge came from adapting to professional standards: “In college you finish projects in six weeks. In a company you have months, so code needs to be clean and structured. That’s something you learn on the job.” And she did fast! 

Her advice to new graduates: ask the “stupid” questions 

If she could go back, Cheyenne would change just one thing: she would speak up sooner. 

“I sometimes lost a week because I didn’t dare to ask a stupid question. But it’s so much more valuable to ask. The worst thing that will happen is a good discussion.” 

She remembers being intimidated as the only graduate surrounded by developers with 20+ years of experience. But in hindsight, she realizes how unnecessary that fear was: “For them it’s daily practice. For me it was all new. So yes, ask the question.” 

A promising career ahead 

From navigating COVID‑era studies to working on high‑impact fintech features in her very first job, Cheyenne embodies what Isabel looks for in young talent: curiosity, courage, initiative, and a hunger to learn. Cheyenne is quick to point out that she’s genuinely happy at Isabel: “I like to work hard. I’m always busy, never bored. They give me the challenges I want. I really can’t complain.” 

And as she continues building the future of Isabel 6, one thing is clear: she’s only just getting started.