Portfolio: Education

What is MBO?

MBO stands for “Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs,” which translates to “Secondary Vocational Education” in English. It is a level of education in the Netherlands that focuses on providing practical and vocational training. MBO programs are designed to prepare students for specific professions and are divided into four levels:

Level 1: Entry level
Level 2: Basic vocational education
Level 3: Full professional education
Level 4: Middle-management education or specialist training
I have completed courses at level 2 and am currently pursuing a course at level 4.

ROC van Amsterdam:

Cloud & Infrastructure Technician (2022-present)

In the first year of the Cloud & Infrastructure Technician course at ROC van Amsterdam | Flevoland, I initially followed the Expert IT Systems and Devices course. This year served as a solid foundation where I gained essential IT skills. As the first year came to an end, I had the opportunity to broaden my education by choosing the Cloud & Infrastructure/Expert IT track.

The Cloud & Infrastructure course is an extension of the Expert IT course and provides deeper insights into various aspects of cloud computing and infrastructure. It is a more challenging track that allows me to specialize in setting up, managing, and securing ICT networks, data centers, and cloud environments.

Year 1: Foundations in IT

During the first year, I focused on developing a broad IT foundation. I followed several courses and practical modules, including:

  • IT Essentials – learned the fundamentals of computer hardware, operating systems, and troubleshooting.
  • Technical Support (TopDesk) – gained experience with handling tickets, working with SLAs, and providing effective user support.
  • IT Fundamentals (Windows Server) – introduction to Windows Server environments, Active Directory, and server roles.
  • Windows OS – deeper knowledge of Windows tools, settings, security, and system administration.
  • Linux – basics of Linux installations, terminal use, configurations, and system management.
  • Cybersecurity – awareness of information security, digital threats, and basic defensive measures.
  • Cisco CCNA (Introduction) – first exposure to networking, routing, switching, and the foundations of Cisco technology.

This year provided me with the necessary foundation to grow into more advanced IT fields, including cloud, networking, and data centers.

Year 2: Specialization and Electives

In the second year, I chose the Cloud & Infrastructure track, which allowed me to specialize in setting up and managing advanced IT infrastructures. The program included deeper knowledge of networking, virtualization, cloud services, and data center technologies.

I also had the opportunity to take elective modules that helped me specialize further:

Elective: Datacenter IT Technology

This elective focused on setting up, monitoring, and troubleshooting data infrastructures in data centers. It prepared me for the growing demand for data center technicians in the ICT industry. I earned several certifications as part of this program:

  • AWS Academy Graduate – Datacenter Technician
  • AWS Academy Graduate – Engineering Operations Technician
  • Microsoft Datacenter Academy Student
  • Microsoft Datacenter Academy Graduate

These certifications covered infrastructure, physical security, monitoring, and operational procedures in critical environments. The elective was also assessed by the Dutch Datacenter Association (DDA), which may lead to an official industry certificate.

In addition, I completed the BHV (company emergency response officer) certification, which trained me in first aid, firefighting, and evacuation procedures to ensure safety in workplace environments.

Elective: Advanced Software

This elective was focused on deepening my understanding of software development and cloud solutions. I researched Microsoft Azure and prepared for the AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals exam. As part of this, I earned the LinkedIn Learning certificate “Prepare for the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) Certification” in February 2024.

At the time of writing, I have not yet taken the official Microsoft exam, but I will update this page once I have passed it.

Year 3: Internship at NTT Global Data Centers

In the third and final year of my program, I interned at NTT Global Data Centers. During this internship, I was involved in daily operations and contributed to the migration and implementation of a new asset management system. I also helped digitize work processes such as work orders (SOPs, MOPs, and EOPs), improving efficiency and reliability.

This internship gave me valuable experience in service desk activities, remote hands, change management, and technical operations within a large-scale data center environment. It also provided a real-world perspective on the critical role of cloud and infrastructure specialists.

Overview of obtained certifications and elective modules:

Nova College:

Expert IT Systems and Devices (2020-2022)

During my course at Nova College in the MBO Level 4 program “Expert IT Systems and Devices,” which began in August 2020 and ended in January 2022, I acquired many new skills and knowledge related to Cisco technology and Windows Server. This course allowed me to delve deeper into network equipment and server management, further expanding my IT expertise.

Unfortunately, due to various factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and issues with my mental health, the course progressed at a slower pace. Eventually, I had to regretfully discontinue the course in January 2022. Despite this unfortunate ending, I am grateful for the knowledge and experience I gained during my time in the program.

During this period, I had the opportunity to delve into advanced IT concepts and gain hands-on experience with complex systems and equipment. Learning to work with Cisco networking technology and Windows Server further fueled my interest in networking and server management. Although I couldn’t complete the course as planned, it helped me develop my passion for IT and strengthen my skills in this field.

I am confident that the knowledge and experience I gained during my course, along with my previous experiences, have well-prepared me for a successful career in IT. I look forward to tackling new challenges and utilizing my expertise in Cisco technology and VMware in future projects and opportunities within the IT world. My passion for technology remains strong, and I am determined to keep growing and learning in this dynamic field.

ICT Employee (2019-2020)

During my Level 2 ICT Employee course at Nova College in Beverwijk, I gained valuable experience in various aspects of the IT world. An important part of my studies was developing my customer service and technical support skills. I actively worked in the technical support department, helping users with their ICT issues and incident reports. This gave me the opportunity to improve my communication skills and solve technical problems effectively and efficiently.

In addition to my interest in building computers, my course also emphasized exploring the world of hardware. I found it fascinating to learn how the different components of a computer work together to create a well-functioning system. During my studies, I had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in assembling and configuring computers. I learned how to choose the right components, assemble them correctly, and then install the operating system and necessary software. Building computers gave me a sense of accomplishment and a deeper understanding of the technology we use daily.

During my course, I also gained valuable practical experience during my internship at Leerbedrijf Zebra, an ICT learning company closely associated with ROC Nova College. During my internship, I learned a lot and was able to apply my technical support skills to help users with their ICT-related challenges. I was responsible for tasks such as preparing hardware for exam candidates, setting up digital environments for exams, and cleaning up used systems after exams.

Another important aspect of my course was completing key tasks. I proudly achieved the following grades: an 8.8 for “Installing and Maintaining Hardware, Software, and Connections” (B1-K1) and a 9.1 for “Handling Incident Reports” (B1-K2). These achievements boosted my confidence in identifying and solving technical problems in various environments.

Additionally, during my course, I successfully completed the elective “Basic Digital Skills.” This subject increased my understanding of the effective and safe use of digital technologies, which is invaluable in today’s increasingly digital world. Basic Digital Skills is a subject that teaches students how to use digital technologies effectively and safely. The subject consists of four modules: information skills, media literacy, computational thinking, and basic ICT skills. You also learn how to use Microsoft Office. In each module, students learn the basic concepts, principles, and applications of digital skills. The subject is intended to prepare students for the digital society and the job market, where digital skills are becoming increasingly important.

During the course and internships, it became even clearer to me that I have a real passion for IT and the skills to be successful in it. This led both the school and me to quickly conclude that I could complete the course at an accelerated pace due to my strong commitment and technical skills. As a result, I was able to complete my course in just one year, giving me the opportunity to further develop my passion for IT and deepen my knowledge faster.

I am proud of my achievements during my course, and I am determined to continue developing my passion for IT and grow as a skilled IT professional. I look forward to new challenges that will further enrich my knowledge and expertise. Moreover, during my technical support tasks and internship, I worked with the ticketing system TopDesk, where I registered and followed up on user queries and problems to provide a streamlined and efficient customer service. I also took an exam where I demonstrated my knowledge and skills with TopDesk.

Summary of obtained certifications and electives:
  • Installatie- en onderhoud hardware, software en verbindingen (B1-K1) / Installation and Maintenance of Hardware, Software, and Connections (B1-K1) – Grade: 8.8
  • Behandelen van incidentmeldingen (B1-K2) / Handling Incident Reports (B1-K2) – Grade: 9.1
  • Digitale Vaardigheden Basis / Basic Digital Skills – Grade: 9.0
  • Klantcontact en Verkoop (stage) / Customer Contact and Sales (internship) – Grade: 9.5