-
Who am I?
-
Hi! I'm Jacob. I work as a Client Platform Engineer. I studied Computer Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and my fields of interest involve programming, as well as the challenges facing large-scale deployment to end users in a business setting.
My hobbies involve working with both computer hardware and software, programming, photography/videography as well as drawing.
-
Work Experience
-
Client Platform Engineer at Mollie
July 2022 - Present
-
macOS Client Platform Engineer at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
January 2020 - June 2022
In this role, I was responsible for managing 10,000+ macOS clients at the VU. In addition, this role involved packaging software for distribution with Munki, as well as providing third-line support. I also maintained a CI/CD pipeline for automating the downloading and packaging of updates for use with Munki. I worked on the deployment Jamf Pro at the VU, with the goal of being able to leverage the management capabilities of MDM to improve the end user experience.
-
First-Line IT Support at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
June 2018 - December 2019
In this role, I am challenged to provide the best solution for a given users IT problems. In a primarily Windows environment, I have gained experience working with Microsoft Active Directory as well as App-V and SCCM. Additionally, I have familiarised myself with the TOPdesk ticketing system. I have also learnt more about the processes that surround decision-making in a large IT environment.
This role has helped me expand my knowledge of a corporate IT infrastructure, and as a result of this role I have challenged myself to learn more about the tooling used at work in my spare time. I have also improved my troubleshooting ability, learning not to rule out potential causes that I haven't yet tested.
In addition to the responsibilities listed above, I also have had hands on experience with large-scale operating system migrations (in this case, from Windows 7 to Windows 10), and have received training in troubleshooting Windows 10 from a Microsoft Field Engineer.
-
Java tutor at Athena Studies
March 2018
Taught a crash-course for Introduction to Programming in Java in order to help motivated students understand the programming concepts required to pass the final exam.
-
Medewerker Verkoopklaar at Albert Heijn Hooigracht, Leiden
2015-2016
My role here involved being a point of contact for any customer with an enquiry. Later in my employment, I was granted the opportunity to work as an assistant to my Team Leader. This also led to me occasionally leading my team in the absence of the Team Leader.
This role helped me grow my leadership skills, as well as gain some insight into how to best meet the needs of customers of varying demographics. I also gained a better understanding of how a nationwide company makes efficient use of data and logistics in order to minimise the time that products are out of stock while also reducing product waste.
-
Education
-
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
2016-2020
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science.
Bachelor Thesis: "LEGO, but with Servers: Creating the Building Blocks to Design and Simulate Datacenters" completed under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ir. Alexandru Iosup. Grade 9.0 attained.
Minor in Deep Programming.
-
Koninklijke Academie Beeldende Kunsten / Royal Academy of Art The Hague
2014-2015
During this preparatory year, I had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of creative mediums, including (but not limited to) videography, interactive installations, sculpture and fashion.
-
British School in the Netherlands
2001-2014
British A-Levels in Maths, Economics, Physics and Art
-
Volunteering
-
Team member of Team Kenya 2013
November 2012 - August 2013
As part of this experience, I travelled to the Rift Valley region of Kenya in order to assist in building both an additional classroom and library for Ndege Primary School. As a precursor to this experience, myself and my team had to raise money in order to fund the building materials required. We did this in the form of several fundraising events, including but not limited to several school discos as well as a silent auction for parents.
A trek during this expedition counted towards my Duke of Edinburgh Gold award.
-
Some more about me
-
In my free time, you can usually find me either behind a camera, cooking in the kitchen, or reading. If I'm not doing any of these, I'm probably writing small projects in Python.