That’s right, I recently took a job offer from Microsoft as a Software Engineer and will be starting there in July. After few months of grueling interview process and tough decision on my part, I decided that it was an opportunity that I couldn’t miss.
So why Microsoft? Well, there are few things. First ‘aspiration’, I have always wanted to work for the software giant, the fact that you have opportunity to impact millions of people by your work is impassable. Second, working with smarter people and chance to learn new things every day is appealing. And rest like benefits, location etc.. are definitely added bonus.
Why NOT Microsoft? Looking from outside in, I have had doubts if I should take the opportunity. Particularly, the way big corporation works and the “red tape” around the processes. And of course there is a big difference between aspiration and reality. Also, I have heard horror stories of people who came out of there. Someone even asked me if “I sold my soul to the evil empire”. And finally, the rainy weather and expensive real estate in Seattle. But in long term, these were trivial compared to the opportunity. And I should not even complain about the rain compared to snowy winters and humid summers here in Des Moines. And being near to Vancouver is a big bonus for my wife and our family.
My job? It’s still .Net development. I’ll be working for Relationship Experience Division at Issaquah location near Seattle. Currently, I only know the high levels of the projects I might be working on; I guess I’ll find out more once I actually start there. Will I still be blogging? Definitely! I have heard MS is encouraging its employees to blog more. Though I probably won’t be able to blog everything, I’ll try to keep it as up to date as possible.
When’s the big move? It’s probably going to be July 1st and its coming up pretty fast. Though it’s nice that they will be taking care of everything for the move, I still need to kind of plan for it on my side. And moving from one place to another is definitely not easy. Still need to tie all loose ends at my current work, move and settle in Seattle area in 1 week, enjoy a vacation the following week and then start the grind on Monday!