Well, not really. I’m planning to, though.
I have been an employee practically since I got out of school, in August 1999. I have been been building up quite some years of experience in all things IT related. I started out as a Web Designer, but was quickly coding and scripting away in Perl, PHP, ASP, ColdFusion and Javascript. I learned how to use Linux, and applied this knowledge in small scale web hosting situations, and international hosting environments. I learned the inner workings of networks, how name servers work, how firewalls and proxies work. I got to touch Windows Server administration, building and testing calamity plans, installing and migrating Exchange Servers, working with SMS, developing with and maintaining of SQL Server.
I got to experience procedural IT support in The Netherlands. I started earning certificates which were considered important for clients to assess my knowledge level. I ranked with ease MCSE after MCSA, MSDBA and my ITIL Foundations certificate. I touched Prince2 Project Management.
I started coördinating processes between groups. I developed processes, gave guidance to small teams…
That’s not bad, I thought. I didn’t do it all on my own. I had great help from all my mentors over the years. My direct and indirect managers; the clients that hired me through my employer, and my colleagues on those projects and assignments. The trainings I was given, the exams I was able to take. Each and every one of those experiences rank up what I am today.
But I feel I need to take a different direction… I’m going freelance.