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"Endless drive: How VCF Consultant Valentin Collin found his place at ITQ"

When Valentin Collin joined ITQ in April 2023, the Luxembourg office was still taking shape. But for him, the connection was immediate. What drew him in was a shared mindset and a people-first approach that felt like a natural fit from the start. Today, he divides his time between client projects, internal collaboration, and a daily commute that stands out; on an electric unicycle.

'The culture was there even before the office furniture arrived.'

How did you first get introduced to ITQ?

It started with a conversation at VMware Explore in Barcelona. I ran into someone I used to work with, and he told me about ITQ’s plan for Luxembourg. He thought I would really enjoy working there. The team was new, but their mindset already felt solid: human-focused, technically driven and open. The culture was there even before the office furniture arrived. I never did a formal job interview, I just spoke to everyone in the new office. When I met them, it immediately made sense. There was this shared way of thinking and working. I knew this was a group of people I wanted to work with.

Do you remember what your first weeks were like

It was a mix of warm welcomes, full calendars and lots of names to remember. And cake! It was full on, but that’s what I liked about it. Just a week after I started, I flew to a client in France. I had been working with VMware for over ten years by then, so I felt prepared. What really stood out was how supportive everyone was, no matter how busy they were. That combination of independence and collaboration is rare. I thought it was wonderful, because up until then I’d been with companies where everyone worked in silos. This was different, in a good way.

And what exactly does your role involve?

As an VCF Consultant, I help clients make the most of VMware technologies — from rolling out new tools to refining how companies use existing ones. A big part of my job is understanding the technology as well as the people using it. Helping teams collaborate better and bridging gaps between departments gives me the drive to find solutions that truly fit their needs. Every client is different, so the work is always varied. That’s something I really value; not two days are ever the same.

'Job titles don't get in the way of collaboration'

Valentin Collin VCF Consultant Consultant at ITQ

Yahya Zahedi is a Virtualization Consultant and barista in the making

How would you describe ITQ as an organization?

Transparent, honest and genuinely people-first. Management regularly shares updates about everything that’s going on with the company. The good, the bad and the ugly. That kind of openness builds trust. There’s no pressure to be perfect, just focus on learning and improving together. The culture is flat and supportive, job titles don’t get in the way of collaboration. Everyone is encouraged to take initiative and speak up. And when it comes to how we work, there’s a lot of freedom. Whether I’m at home, on-site or in the office, I’m trusted to do what works best for me and the client.

So you ride an electric unicycle. Do tell us more!

It’s not actually a bike; it’s just one wheel, self-balancing and fully electric. I wanted to avoid the traffic on my commute, and a unicycle takes up very little space. I’d put it in my car and cycle the last 5 kilometers to work, which turned into 10, then 20. It quickly became a real passion. Now I own three unicycles for different purposes. I’ve joined a unicycle community, taken part in competitions and organized test rides. It’s surprisingly physical, like skiing, and a great way to clear my head. And after a long day, getting on the wheel is the perfect reset. I genuinely love it.



“After a long day, getting on the wheel is the perfect reset"



A pretty unusual hobby! Have you been able to share it at work?

Yes, definitely! Not long after I joined ITQ, we had a team-building event in Luxembourg and I organized a unicycle session. I asked my club to provide a few test wheels, and I showed my colleagues how to ride. Some picked it up really quickly, others… needed more time. But everyone gave it a go. It was a fun way to do something different and connect outside of work. ITQ gives you the space to share what you’re passionate about, and that makes a big difference. It makes it feel more like a community than a workplace.

How would you describe the way ITQ supports your passion?

ITQ has been very open to me sharing my interest in unicycles. When I suggested the team-building activity, they were immediately on board. I also frequently use my unicycle as part of my commute to on-site projects, which fits well with the flexibility ITQ offers. There’s no need to explain or justify it; people are just curious and supportive. It makes it easy to bring your full self to work, even if your hobby is a little out of the ordinary.

And how do you see your future at ITQ?

I’m happy where I am and I enjoy the work I get to do : helping clients, learning new things and staying connected with the team. If there are opportunities to bring more of my personal interests into that, it’ll be a bonus. But it’s not a goal in itself. What matters most to me is keeping a good balance between work and everything else, and ITQ makes that possible. I don’t feel the need to plan too far ahead. As long as the work remains interesting and the culture stays supportive, I’m in the right place.

We like passionate people!

At ITQ you get the space and support to develop the way you want. So that you can organize your work in a way that suits you.