Jeroen van der Vorst is an experienced system administrator who has been part of the Outtask team since late 2023. With a career spanning over 25 years, he brings a wealth of expertise and insight to his role. In this interview, we explore his impressive career, his experiences at Outtask, and a valuable tip he has for IT professionals considering a career at Outtask.
Jeroen’s career before Outtask
With a career spanning back to the 1990s, Jeroen brings a wealth of experience to the table. “I started as a Novell administrator in 1998 and continued until 2006. When Novell began to phase out, I decided it was time for something new. After that, I worked nearly ten years at smaller companies, managing IT for SMBs.”
Still driven to grow, Jeroen sought a new challenge. “I wanted more fulfillment from my work and to make a bigger impact. That’s when I transitioned into contracting and began working in enterprise environments. I found this work much more rewarding than what I had done before.”
Working in a new environment
At Outtask, Jeroen continues his work as a contractor and is currently assigned to the GGD in Amsterdam. “It’s been great so far. At first, I spent some time observing how everything worked, but I quickly became self-sufficient. My contact with my point of contact at the GGD is also excellent.”
Adjusting to a new environment hasn’t been without its challenges. “The way things are done at the GGD is different from what I’m used to. Each environment has its own challenges, but I can see the benefits. If I encounter any issues, I can easily discuss them with my supervisor—the threshold for that is really low.”
Transition to Outtask
Before joining Outtask, Jeroen spent over seven years at Cincero, which was acquired by Outtask in late 2023. The transition was smooth. “Honestly, I barely noticed the acquisition—everything just continued as usual.”
One noticeable change was the team dynamic. “Some of my colleagues from Cincero joined Outtask, but others decided to pursue different paths, such as freelancing. That took some getting used to, but change is part of the process.”
Jeroen has adapted well to his new work environment. “At Cincero, I knew exactly who everyone was. At Outtask, I’m still getting to know new people. That’s why I make an effort to attend company events—it helps put faces to names and gives me a better understanding of the company.”
Jeroen’s tip for IT professionals
Jeroen is excited about his future in IT. “I really enjoy my work, especially when I get to be hands-on or figure out the best way to tackle a challenge. I love the consultative aspect of my role.”
His advice to aspiring IT professionals at Outtask is simple but impactful: “Specialize in something. When I started, you had to know a little bit about everything. Nowadays, specialized knowledge is incredibly important. Everyone contributes to a small part of the bigger picture, and by becoming an expert in your area, you can make a significant difference.”
