Jaa

My first month at Microsoft (Time Flies When You're Having Fun)

  • Artikkeli

Wow, that went by really fast. So let’s see, how can I even begin to describe what it is like working at Microsoft? This post might be a bit biased; I seem to have overdosed on the cool-aid J

First of all: my project. When complete, it will demonstrate how a state government can leverage some of Microsoft's newest technologies to improve the quality of life for thousands of families. It will probably even save a few lives every year. I'm really psyched about working on this one. How often can a software developer brag about saving lives? The project will also help drive the sale of a few thousand Tablet PCs and a ton of other Microsoft technologies, which is also a Very Good Thing.

Secondly: the technologies. The product I am using is an alpha version, meaning we get an occasional “oh yeah that doesn’t work yet” from the dev teams. Watching the product evolve is also really cool… wondering which features will show up in the next build makes every day a bit like the day before Christmas J. And it isn’t a one way street. I already contributed to at least one DCR (Design Change Request) which might make it into the upcoming version.

Thirdly: the environment. As a consultant I have seen dozens of firms from the inside. However I have yet to see one which comes even close to the folks here. Microsoft simply has it all. From the campus shuttle-buses to the internal websites to the helpdesk guys that know everything about everything, there is an incredible support infrastructure in place to ensure that nothing slows me down.

Lastly: the people. It has been said before, but you have to see it to really understand it – the people here are smart. Scary smart. And.driven, driven, driven. Send someone a mail at almost any hour and you will likely get a reply 5 minutes later. Get enough of these people together in the same room and you can change the world. Come to think of it, we are already doing that…

Disclaimer: This posts presents my personal opinions only and not those of my employer. These postings are provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confer no rights. If you don't like that then go somewhere else.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    February 23, 2004
    Ahh yes, now there is a place I dream to be within the next few years.

    How did you stumble across such a fantastic position?

    How was your interview?

    Any tips?

    I am looking at an internship, would you recommend it to get my foot in the door?

    Cheers,

    Matthew Cosier
  • Anonymous
    February 23, 2004

    And what about Tvuna company?
  • Anonymous
    February 23, 2004
    Hey there, you wouldn't happen to be the same Oleg I worked with in a certain government office in Jersulam back in 2002, would you? ;)

    Tvuna are doing fine without me, Yaron stepped into the CTO / Lead Technologist role with no problems. At least that is what i heard.

  • Anonymous
    February 23, 2004
    Is this part of what you're working on?:
    http://www.microsoft.com/resources/casestudies/CaseStudy.asp?CaseStudyID=14952
  • Anonymous
    February 23, 2004
    Ooops,
    I did'n mean something except "dont put salt on my wounds".
    Did you think about another connotation of my post?
    Sorry , if yes :-(...
  • Anonymous
    February 23, 2004

    Yes Addy, you are right, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
  • Anonymous
    July 20, 2004
    hi,

    nice to hear the feed back at Microsoft.
    My Career Goal is to work with Microsoft, and I'll Reach the position there inside MS also.

    keep on posting some cool links also.
    Regards
    Sujith
  • Anonymous
    July 20, 2004
    hi,

    nice to hear the feed back at Microsoft.
    My Career Goal is to work with Microsoft, and I'll Reach the position there inside MS also.

    keep on posting some cool links also.
    Regards
    Sujith