In this series, we introduce our team to you one by one. What is their position within QS solutions? Who are they as a person? Why are they a match for the organization? And what do they actually do in their spare time? This will give you as a customer, business partner or new colleague a picture of the people behind our logo!
Jeremy didn’t have an easy childhood, and he doesn’t hide that. He spent some time in youth care. He dreamed of a career in the police force but eventually ended up in IT. The reason? Dyslexia hindered his application, and the financial compensation he would have received during his police training was simply not enough to live on.
Moreover, he already knew a lot about computers and began to enjoy IT more and more. He wanted to do ‘something’ with networks, configuring routers and switches, building servers, or getting into system administration. After completing his MBO level 4 in IT, he looked for an HBO program in the same field, but soon realized that they were too broad, while he wanted to specialize.
So, he decided to start working and began at the bottom of the ladder at an IT service desk. This was followed by a four-month migration project in Switzerland and a role as an IT coordinator. He earned his MCSA1) certification and was approached by a recruiter for a job at QS Solutions in late 2018. Initially, they preferred someone with an HBO degree, but Jeremy was eventually hired because of his technical knowledge and ambitions.
“Starting at the Bottom”
Jeremy started as a junior Office 365 consultant and still enjoys his work. He appreciates the flexibility he has to schedule his hours and learn new skills. Every day, he spends about two hours learning for his job. And he enjoys this because he is incredibly eager to learn, both at work and in his personal life. Give him a topic that interests him, and he will dive into it until he knows everything about it. “You could say I’m addicted to knowledge,” says Jeremy.
1) Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate, formerly Microsoft Certified System Administrator
Thanks to the flexibility in his work schedule, Jeremy can balance his job with his family life. Jeremy and his wife married young and chose to start a family early. Their son is now seven, and their daughter is five. Jeremy took his wife’s last name when they married, and although he fully supports that decision, it can be challenging. “Sometimes I’m registered under my own name, other times under my wife’s, or even both!” he says with a laugh.
The family lives in Deventer with four cats (“my wife’s”) and a dog (“mine”). Jeremy spends a lot of time with his children and thoroughly enjoys it. “Having kids is amazing. Unless you don’t have them—then keep it that way!” he jokes. Since his wife is currently dealing with some health issues, he primarily works from home to support her as much as possible. Once things improve, he plans to go to the office more often.
Fitness Enthusiast
Jeremy has been active in sports from a young age. He was particularly interested in martial arts in the past, but over the years, he has become a true fitness enthusiast. For the past year and a half, he has been ‘full-time’ into the sport. This means that for him, it has become a lifestyle that revolves not only around the exercise itself but also around nutrition, posture, and mentality.
“Fitness as a Lifestyle”
He does strength training at the gym five times a week for two hours. During that time, he pushes himself to the limit, as it gives him focus and peace of mind. And, of course, some me-time! For Jeremy, muscle building is secondary. His dream is to buy a farm with one of his fitness friends, with two houses on it—one for each family—and a fitness barn.
“I genuinely enjoy my work and am pretty much a workaholic. My laptop is almost always on, which makes it easier to put in some extra hours outside office hours. I especially have the peace and quiet for it late at night after working out, for example, to build scripts or research things for a client. Sometimes, I take an hour during the day to do some cardio exercises or play video games. It clears my mind, which makes me more productive.”
“The collaboration between colleagues is very pleasant. Everyone helps each other!”
You really get the flexibility to organize your hours in a way that suits you best and to decide whether or not to come to the office. I really appreciate that! Moreover, QS Solutions has a flat structure, so you don’t experience any hierarchy at all. There’s a great culture where you can ask anyone—including the management—anything you want.
There are also no ‘islands,’ so the collaboration between colleagues is very pleasant. Everyone helps each other! Additionally, they keep an eye on you to gauge if you’re still enjoying your work. If you need something or want to do something different, that’s totally possible. You just have to call or drop by your manager or one of the directors.”
Would you like to work at QS Solutions too? Let us know! We have vacancies in various teams, both for IT experts and cybersecurity professionals as well as enthusiastic juniors without relevant experience. We’d love to tell you more about the possibilities!
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