Happy Hacking Keyboard is a tool that has helped programmers accomplish their goals for decades. Designed by programmers for programmers, this keyboard is well suited for programs like vim, and makes typing a joy. Today, we have the great pleasure to talk with DevOps Engineer and YouTube content creator Mischa van den Burg.
HHKB: Hi Mischa, tell us a little about yourself. Where are you located, and what do you do for work?
Mischa: Mischa van den Burg, 35 years old, the Netherlands, Freelance DevOps Engineer, Community Leader & Content Creator.
HHKB: That’s really cool. What was your educational and career path that led you to where you are now?
Mischa: I studied English at the University of Amsterdam and worked as a Project Manager for several years, after which I transitioned to nursing and finally found my passion in the tech industry.
HHKB: Wow, that’s a very impressive resume. What got you into nursing?
Mischa: I was working in the oil industry as a project manager but found it very unfulfilling. Additionally, the oil industry is prone to large layoffs when prices fluctuate, which is what happened to me as well.
The government offered me a chance to take on-the-job training to become a nurse. I was interested in it because I felt I could make a tangible difference in people’s lives. I could make the lives of my patients a little bit better every day by just being there for them and taking care of them.
HHKB: That’s really great. So then what led you to programming after that?
Mischa: After a few years, I realized that it was not the best career for me. I am very introverted by nature, and the intense social interaction, day in and day out, left me very drained when I came home. Having realized that, I needed to find the next step. I had always been interested in computers and programming, and I was always tinkering with code and infrastructure in my free time. That is why I decided to go all-in on that, and made it my life’s mission to get a career in tech. In less than a year, I was able to land my first position, and now I’m well into my fourth year as a DevOps Engineer.
HHKB: Expanding on that, tell us more about what got you interested in programming?
Mischa: I learned the fundamentals when I was very young. I was taught Qbasic in school. In my teens, I played a lot of MMORPG’s (massively multiplayer online role-playing game), and at some point, I figured out that I could write scripts for these games so I could level up my skills while I was doing my homework.
This was the first practical application of programming that got me hooked, and I’ve been doing it ever since.
HHKB: Wow, using coding to level up your gaming skills is awesome! Moving on to present day, where do you work now?
Mischa: I’m currently working as a freelancer, so I do contracts for several companies. I’m now doing a part-time contract with Splitbrain, who specialize in hybrid cloud infrastructure. I’m very interested in this particular branch of cloud computing because it allows companies to do machine learning on their own infrastructure while still getting the benefits of the cloud.
HHKB: Interesting, can you explain your role a little more in detail?
Mischa: I work as a DevOps engineer specializing in Kubernetes, Linux systems, and cloud infrastructure. I like this role because it requires a broad skill set, and I can work with infrastructure while still applying my coding skills.
HHKB: So how does programming work in your role?
Mischa: As a DevOps engineer, I don’t have to do very advanced programming. It often means writing bespoke Command-Line Interfaces (CLIs) or stitching a few Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) together in order to achieve the desired outcome.
HHKB: Shifting gears a little bit, we actually found you through your amazing YouTube page that you run. So, we want to ask, what got you into running your YouTube page on programming? This is your chance to talk about your page and what it means to you.
Mischa: It all started with my blog, where I began documenting my experiences and studies during my career transition from nursing to tech. As my blog gained traction among aspiring tech professionals, I saw there was a real hunger for practical, real-world advice in the tech community. This led me to expand into YouTube, where I could reach and help even more people.
My YouTube channel (@mischavandenburg) focuses on sharing my journey and expertise in DevOps, Kubernetes, and productivity systems. What makes my content unique is that I speak from the perspective of someone who made a complete career change— going from nursing to becoming a Microsoft MVP and DevOps expert in just three years. I create in-depth technical content, like my 8-hour Kubernetes fundamentals course and tutorials on building Arch Linux from scratch, but I also share the strategies and systems that helped me learn and grow so quickly in the field.
One of my most popular content areas is my productivity and note-taking system. I show viewers how to use tools like Obsidian with the Zettelkasten Method, and how to build a Second Brain for managing knowledge and projects. I believe that being a successful engineer isn't just about technical skills; it's about having efficient systems for learning and working.
The channel has grown to over 40,000 subscribers, which led me to create a more intimate learning environment through my Skool Community. Here, about 400 engineers follow my teachings and methodologies to advance their careers and become high-paid professionals in the field. What started as simply documenting my own journey has evolved into a comprehensive platform where I can help others make similar transitions and accelerate their careers in tech.
I'm particularly proud of how the channel combines deep technical content with practical career and productivity advice. Whether it's a tutorial on managing Kubernetes clusters from the CLI or guidance on personal branding and salary negotiation, everything I share is based on real-world experience and aimed at helping others succeed in their tech careers.
HHKB: That truly is incredible to see how you’ve built such a strong community, and base it on real-world experience aimed to help others achieve their career aspirations. If you had to pick one thing, what would you say is your favorite part of running the YouTube page?
Mischa: I make lots of interesting connections with people. For example, I’ve had direct meetings with the legendary Mumshad Mannambeth (from KodeKloud), and I’ve been chatting with board members from NixOs.
But the best part is that I get comments every single day from people thanking me for the positive impact that I have on their lives. That means a lot to me.
HHKB: I’m sure it does, you really are touching many people’s lives. Did you have any idea you would develop such a strong following and community?
Mischa: From the beginning, I’ve been very adamant in always being myself. I don’t act, I just turn on the camera and behave exactly as I do in real life. No posing. I think people recognize and value the authenticity. Secondly, I share knowledge that other creators charge money for. I give away a lot of free value every single week. I’m not an entertainer; I help people become better engineers.
HHKB: What is your favorite type of video topic to make?
Mischa: My favorite topics are when I am learning something new myself and documenting that process. People gain value from seeing my learning process because I’ve optimized it to such a high degree.
HHKB: That does sound really valuable. Ok, shifting gears now to keyboards, what first got you into mechanical keyboards and HHKB?
Mischa: I was taught at the beginning of my career to always use Vim. And after a couple of years I discovered that there are keyboard layouts that are optimized for this editor. So, after my friend recommended the HHKB, it was a no-brainer for me.
HHKB: Were you familiar with mechanical keyboards at all before that point?
Mischa: I wasn’t familiar with them at all. I have a rather eccentric senior engineer friend who is a programming genius. When you enter his house there is a scattering of dozens of half-finished mechanical keyboards, all of them costing thousands of dollars.
When I asked him for advice, he said, just get an HHKB. And that is some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten.
When I asked him for advice, he said, just get an HHKB. And that is some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten.- Mischa van den Burg
HHKB: Which models of HHKB do you own, and does it have customizations?
Mischa: I own the Professional Hybrid White, and no customizations.
HHKB: How do you use your HHKB? Is it your daily driver for work? Do you use it at all for personal use?
Mischa: I only use my HHKB, and I use it for absolutely everything.
I only use my HHKB, and I use it for absolutely everything.- Mischa van den Burg
HHKB: What are the biggest benefits of HHKB to you?
Mischa: The biggest benefit is being able to reach the escape key with my pinky without having to leave the home row.
Combined with Windows manager, tmux, and Vim, I have an unmatched workflow experience.
HHKB: Is there anything you would like to see added to HHKB?
Mischa: I have the white HHKB, and I love the old-school look of it. I’m not into customization. Honestly, the HHKB suits my needs perfectly, and I don’t even use the custom software. Everything is perfect already for me right out of the box.
HHKB: We’re glad it is a perfect solution for you, right out of the box. What would you say is your favorite part of HHKB?
Mischa: My favorite part is the old school look and the fact that it is so portable, so I have the same typing experience wherever I go.
HHKB: Moving onto your setup, what other equipment do you use?
Mischa: I use a desktop PC that I built myself running Arch Linux, a 4K monitor, and AirPods Max.
For work, I have a MacBook Pro as a backup or when I’m required to go to the office.
HHKB: What does your daily schedule look like?
Mischa: I am most productive in the morning, so I always do a 4-hour work block right after I wake up. I never schedule meetings before noon. After my first work block, I like to go to the gym, eat, and continue working until I go to bed.
As an entrepreneur, I usually work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
HHKB: Wow, that’s a busy schedule. When you are free, though, what things do you like to do?
Mischa: I do work a lot. I found my passion in what I do, so working is very enjoyable to me, which is also why I can get so much done and be so consistent with my content.
However, I love to hike, and once or twice a year I will take a couple of weeks off to go hiking in the Scandinavian mountains by myself.
HHKB: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Mischa: I would like to start a company at some point, which will likely be centered around artificial intelligence.
HHKB: Thank you so much for talking with us today, Mischa, and we wish you all the best in the future. Happy Hacking!
Be sure to check out Mischa’s links below:
- DevOps Community: https://www.skool.com/kubecraft/about