Kubernetes Expert, Coach & Ambassador
Earning the Kubestronaut title is a major achievement in anyone’s IT career. For Stéphane Este-Gracias, earning Kubestronaut status represents more than a personal achievement, it also reflects his dedication to nurturing an inclusive, dynamic cloud native ecosystem. His experience as a Kubestronaut drives his own professional success and inspires him as a CNCF Ambassador to support others in their growth, fostering a collaborative spirit in the community.
IT Introduction
Stéphane discovered IT in primary school at age eight, in 1984, during a French government initiative to equip schools with microcomputers. He had a memorable first lesson: “Our teacher instructed us to explore by typing on the keyboard without any other instruction, which piqued my interest. Although our initial attempts at everyday questions such as ‘What’s your name?’ returned ‘Syntax error,’ the realization that we needed to learn a new language to interact with computers sparked my fascination with technology,” said Stéphane.
He started his IT career as a digital system integrator and architect, which laid the foundation for his progression into cloud infrastructure and container orchestration. Significant milestones in the cloud native ecosystem included his work at Data Essential, where he engaged in early Kubernetes adoption. This experience drove him toward consulting roles, ultimately leading to his current position at ITQ. There he leads Cloud-Native Innovation where he mentors customer’s teams to bridge the gap between the technical teams and the business, ensuring the platform is aligned with business objectives and helping to drive adoption across the organization.
Certification Boost
Already highly successful in his career, Stéphane’s motivation for earning his Linux certifications was rooted in his objective for firsthand understanding of them—both for himself and others he mentors. He earned his Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) in 2018 and his Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) in 2021. Following the announcement of the Kubestronaut Program at KubeCon Paris in Spring 2024, he earned his Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD), Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) and Kubernetes and Cloud Native Security Associate (KCSA) consecutively over a week, enabling him to join the ranks of CNCF Kubestronauts.
“I took the CKA soon after its launch to establish myself as an early expert and consultant in Kubernetes,” he said. “When CKS was released, I aimed to deepen my expertise in Kubernetes security. Completing CKAD, KCNA, and KCSA back-to-back was driven by my goal to fully experience the requirements of becoming a Kubestronaut and guide others effectively on this journey.”
To prepare for the CKA, he relied on Kubernetes the Hard Way and official documentation, which fostered a hands-on learning approach. For the CKS, he completed Kubernetes Security Essentials (LFS260) and practiced with the exam simulation. His existing experience enabled him to approach CKAD, KCNA, and KCSA with minimal additional preparation.
Positive Career Impact
Aside from the cumulative benefit of earning the five certifications to become a Kubestronaut, each provided a demonstrable impact on Stéphane’s career along the way. “Passing the CKA validated my technical capabilities, enhancing my credibility as a cloud native consultant at Data Essential, a CNCF member startup,” he said. “Earning the CKS enriched my understanding of security within Kubernetes, giving me greater confidence to advise on secure practices.”
But achieving Kubestronaut status took his professional status next-level. “It represented a comprehensive commitment to mastering Kubernetes,” Stéphane said. “It broadened my professional network and solidified my role as a reliable guide in the cloud native space, supporting my continuous growth and engagement with the community.”
Stéphane’s certifications have supported his role as Cloud-Native Innovation Lead at ITQ, enabling him to mentor teams and lead initiatives with assurance. As a CNCF Ambassador, his certifications empower him to advocate effectively, leveraging his experiences to assist and inspire others in their cloud native journeys.
Certification Advice
As a CNCF Ambassador and open source advocate, Stéphane actively coaches and mentors IT professionals. His advice for getting CNCF certifications is to start with KCNA for foundational knowledge and progress to CKA for hands-on capabilities. “Each certification adds depth to one’s understanding, demonstrating commitment and building essential problem-solving skills for real-world Kubernetes applications,” he said. “These certifications provide recognition that can enhance career prospects and credibility.”
Stéphane Este-Gracias
Cloud-Native Innovation Lead, ITQ
