Jean Desplans

At school, Jean gets grades that do not reflect what he believes he understands. It takes him time to realize that he does not learn in the same way as others and he eventually comes to see grades as too narrow a measure. After high school, he tries studying law and then switches to computer science, without managing to complete the DUT. At home, a PC and the discovery of Unix reveal to him that a professional world exists behind the tools he thought were meant only for home.

After changing direction in his studies, Jean starts out in sales, but quickly realizes that chasing commissions does not suit him. He looks for a way to prove what he can do and, through a contact, lands his first job in IT. He then learns on the job and specializes in IT operations and technical areas that others avoid. This path enables him to build practical expertise, even when degrees still carry weight in hiring.

Around 2003, Jean becomes self-employed and launches his IT services business. He works notably for Sun Microsystems and Symantec, then opts for an umbrella employment arrangement in 2006. He subsequently takes on a succession of assignments for Orange Business Services, Thomson, Alcatel, and other clients, often working on critical or complex systems. As companies recognize his skills without always accepting his lack of a degree, he learns to establish himself through his expertise and ability to manage stress.

In 2015, Jean joins OVH as a systems administrator. He starts as close as possible to production, working on platforms and machines, then becomes an operations manager. He subsequently takes responsibility for the File Storage unit. His career takes him from technical work to overseeing decisions, working methods, service quality, and teams. He also appreciates contributing to a cloud provider with European sovereignty and finding at OVH values that matter to him.