About Me
Who I Am
I'm Kayn Gheyskens, an Applied Computer Science student with a passion for both technology and creativity. Besides coding, I love drawing, painting, and baking. In vacations or with friends, I enjoy karting, snowboarding, and wakeboarding. I also have a beautiful Siberian Husky named Wolf who is always by my side.
My Journey
Where it all started
Every story starts somewhere. For me, it started with curiosity. I was always interested in how things worked and how ideas could become reality. In the beginning, it was mostly about experimenting, trying things out, and seeing what would happen.
I started by building small games in Scratch and programming small robots that did exactly what I told them to do. Seeing code come to life felt amazing. From there, I grew to where I am now, building websites and applications, and learning languages like Python and C#.
Back then, it was mainly about trying, failing, fixing, and trying again, it's the typical trial and error process. I tested my limits, made mistakes, and slowly began to understand the fundamentals. That’s what brought me to where I am today.
It not only built my technical skills, but also shaped my mindset. I’m always curious, always looking to improve, and I never miss an opportunity to learn something new.
The Spark
The real spark to go into IT came during high school. That’s where I was introduced to TIA Portal V17 and started working with Siemens PLC systems for the first time. Instead of just writing code, I was now building something that controlled real machines. That changed everything for me.
Learning how to program a PLC and design an HMI screen showed me how software connects directly to hardware. Seeing a screen control an actual process made it all feel real and practical. It wasn’t just code on a laptop anymore, it had a direct impact on how a machine operated.
During that time, I also completed an internship at DCM. There, a teammate and I developed a PLC screen that allowed them to monitor the flow of one of their machines. The interface made it possible to see the entire process and control buttons and settings without having to change the underlying code.
That project really confirmed it for me. This was more than just an interest, this was something I genuinely enjoyed doing and that was the moment where my curiosity turned into direction.
Current Chapter: Applied Computer Science
I’m currently studying Applied Computer Science at Thomas More. This is where everything started to come together and not just technically, but also personally.
Thomas More helped me grow in a professional way. It pushed me to think about who I am, how I work, and what kind of developer I want to become. It wasn’t just about writing code, it was also about communication, teamwork, responsibility, and presenting myself professionally. My soft skills improved just as much as my technical skills.
On the technical side, Applied Computer Science showed me how broad IT really is. I learned to work with HTML, Python, C#, JavaScript, and JSON. I worked with frameworks and tools like Alpine, Laravel, Tailwind, and Bootstrap. But it didn’t stop at development. We also explored topics like security, operating systems, and the fundamentals behind how systems actually work.
It gave me a strong and broad foundation in IT. And what made it even stronger was the project-based approach. By building real projects, everything became practical. It wasn’t just theory anymore, it was learning by creating, solving problems, and improving step by step.
It didn't come to an end yet, but this is where I truly started shaping myself as an IT professional.
First Major Project
One of my first major projects was GameScope, a game review platform I built as an individual project for the second-year Web Development course at Thomas More Geel.
The platform includes more than 280 games fetched through the Rawg API and lets users post reviews, chat with the community, and unlock achievements (even some secret ones).
Building it with Laravel and Tailwind taught me how to structure a larger web application and combine backend logic with a clean UI.
It also taught me how to keep improving features based on user experience, which is something I carry with me in every project since. GameScope was my first real step in building something that was not only functional, but also fun and interactive for users.
If you're interested, you can check out the project through this link.
Future Ambitions
As for the future, I see myself in a role where I can combine both sides of my background in IT and industrial automation. With my degree in Applied Computer Science and my experience in PLC programming, I want to work in an environment where software and machines come together.
What motivates me most is being involved in projects where technology has a direct, visible impact. I want to be able to see what I’ve created, a visual outcome. I want to work on systems that don’t just run in the background, but actually drive processes, improve efficiency, and support the people who rely on them every day.
I aim to grow into someone who understands both the technical depth and the practical application of a system, someone who can think logically like a developer, but also practically like an automation engineer. By continuing to challenge myself and following this ambition, I hope to build a career where I’m not just following innovation, but actively contributing to it.
Hobbies & Interests
Creative
I really enjoy being creative in different ways. I like drawing, painting miniatures, and I even made a wall painting in my room. Besides art, I also enjoy baking things like gingerbread, brownies, and other treats. Whether it’s creating something visual or something you can taste, I love the process of starting with simple ingredients or ideas and turning them into something finished. Just creation from nothing is amazing.
Sports & Activities
Besides my creative hobbies, I also enjoy more active activities like karting, snowboarding, and wakeboarding. I usually go snowboarding and wakeboarding during vacations, which makes them something I always look forward to. Karting is something I used to do very often, but nowadays I mainly go occasionally with friends for fun. Another big hobby of mine is collecting game consoles.
Maker & 3D Printing
I recently got into 3D printing. For now it's mostly printing free designs from MakerWorld, but I've already redesigned one file myself to better fit what I actually needed. It's a nice way to combine my technical background with something I can hold in my hands.
Work Experience
Sous-chef
Vacation Job
During the holidays and weekends, I work as a sous-chef in the kitchen. I enjoy working under pressure and preparing delicious dishes together with the team. It has taught me to think fast, work in an organized way, and function as a team.
My Companion
Wolf
Siberian Husky
Wolf is my Siberian Husky. He's my best buddy and a real cuddle bug. We're also training him as a sled dog by going for a run together with a special harness. He's not just a pet, he's part of the family and always brings joy to my life.
My Gameroom
Over the years I’ve built my own gameroom where I keep the consoles I’ve collected throughout my life with help from my parents ofcourse. Each console has its own dedicated spot, which keeps the room organized and makes it easy to switch between different consoles. The collection ranges from retro consoles to more modern ones, each representing a different generation of gaming. It’s a space where I can relax, enjoy my favorite games, and revisit classics. For me, it’s not just a room with consoles, it's more my personal space that reflects my passion for gaming.