Entries tagged 'server'
Top Ten Microspotting Profiles of 2011
The end of the year is a blur of traditions, predictions, champagne, diet resolutions, family time and, of course, annual “best of” lists for everything and anything you can imagine.As we don’t want to be left out in the cold, we’ve compiled a list of the Top Ten Microspotting profiles featured on JobsBlog in 2011. With one twist; our list goes to eleven.
This year, we interviewed lone employees who pioneered roles as female developers and employees overcoming challenges. We also got to know groups like Microsoft’s a cappella choir and couples who found love at the company. We met those who are exploring the frontiers of technology and others who are educating the next generation of tech innovators. And, of course, we sniffed out the unexpected from the former NFL prospect who went pro at Microsoft to the employee who moonlights as the mascot for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks (and uses the position to raise money to fight multiple sclerosis).
Without further fanfare, here is the list of our favorite Microspotting stories from 2011. The stories are not ranked in any particular order, but all are sure to inspire.
1. Ben Martens, North America’s most ambitious ski bum
2. Our Valentine’s Day tribute to love found at Microsoft
3. Janet Galore, explaining the future of technology
4. Ryan Asdourian, Microsoft’s #1 Seahawks fan and superhero fundraiser
5. Ed Donahue & Ashley Myers, two-time Imagine Cup finalists and Microsoft co-workers
6. Sue Loh, inspiring future coders through retro gaming
7. Betsy Speare, blazing trails and building community for female developers
8. Jenny Lay Flurrie, embracing disability, finding success and helping others do the same
9. Boris Erickson, Xbox LIVE’s Enforcement Unicorn Ninja (yes, you read that correctly)
10. Albert Rocker, former NFL prospect goes pro at Microsoft
11. The BaudBoys, Microsoft’s Kings of Geek-A-Cappella
Cloud computing talent: Where do I grow from here? (Part 5 of 5)
Have you been wondering what cloud computing roles we have here at Microsoft? Or how we evaluate cloud computing talent? If so, this is the series for you.Make sure to take a look at the full series:
Part 1: Cloud computing talent: What is it?
Part 2: Cloud computing talent: Who is it?
Part 3: Cloud computing talent: What do we look for?
Part 4: Cloud computing talent: What if no cloud?Thank you to Chandra Prasad for his insight throughout this series and to Yunus Mohammed for his assistance on Part 2.
Today, we finish up with the peerless Chandra Prasad on Part 5, "Cloud computing talent: Where do I go from here?"
What are the career opportunities you see for cloud computing talent in the years to come?
We believe that we are just in the beginning of the paradigm shift towards the cloud. It is really an exciting time since this kind of a transformation happens infrequently.Cloud computing talent: What if no cloud experience? (Part 4 of 5)
Have you been wondering what cloud computing roles we have here at Microsoft? Or how we evaluate cloud computing talent? If so, this is the series for you.In Part I, we discussed "Cloud computing talent: What is it?" with Microsoft's Chandra Prasad, one of the world's foremost authorities on cloud computing. In Part II, we looked at "Cloud computing talent: Who is it?" with Chandra and Yunus Mohammed, the Dev Manager with Windows Azure team. Part III was "Cloud Computing Talent: What do we look for?" again with Chandra.
Today, we'll consider Part IV "Cloud computing talent: What if no cloud experience?
Cloud Computing is relatively new, so we have a smaller pool of candidates with direct cloud experience in the industry or at the university level. Please clarify: what are the other skills we look for in the absence of direct cloud experience?
Cloud computing talent: What do we look for? (Part 3 of 5)
Have you been wondering what cloud computing roles we have here at Microsoft? Or how we evaluate cloud computing talent? If so, this is the series for you.In Part I, we discussed "Cloud computing talent: What is it?" with Microsoft's Chandra Prasad, one of the world's foremost authorities on cloud computing. In Part 2, we looked at "Cloud computing talent: Who is it?" with Chandra and Yunus Mohammed, the Dev Manager with Windows Azure team.
Today, we're going to examine "Cloud Computing Talent: What do we look for?" - again with Chandra.
What are the core skills we look for in a person with cloud computing related experience?
First and foremost, we are still looking for the basic core competencies and great software engineering skills that we would look for in any other position. We still expect that they are solid software engineers, have good customer focus, have great communication skills, and can collaborate and make the team around them better.Cloud computing talent: Who is it? (Part 2 of 5)
Have you been wondering what cloud computing roles we have here at Microsoft? Or how we evaluate cloud computing talent? If so, this is the series for you.In Part I, we discussed "Cloud computing talent: What is it?" with Microsoft's Chandra Prasad, one of the world's foremost authorities on cloud computing.
Today we follow up with Chandra for Part 2 of our series "Cloud computing talent: Who is it?"
Yunus Mohammed, the Dev Manager with Windows Azure team, assisted with the answer.
Who qualifies as someone who has cloud computing experience?
Cloud computing talent: What is it? (Part 1 of 5)
After the positive response to my earlier JobsBlog interview with Chandra Prasad, I decided to do a full series of interviews with him about the nature of cloud computing talent.Chandra is the Development Manager in the Distributed Application Server group in the Business Platform Division, which is a long way of saying that he is one of the world's foremost authorities on cloud computing.
Have you been wondering what cloud computing roles we have here at Microsoft? Or how we evaluate cloud computing talent? If so, this is the series for you.
For Part 1 "Cloud computing talent: What is it?", I asked Chandra, "What is the definition of cloud computing talent?"
Read on for Chandra's answer...
Working from home & commuting via float plane
The geek in question: Sean DanielThe job title: Senior Program Manager, Home and Small Business Server
How did you get here? I was asked to join the company while I was locked out of my town home in frosty Ontario Canada. Ok, the longer version is that a few friends and I decided to work for Microsoft, even if it was as janitorial job. I applied for a few Internships while I was in my 3rd year at college.
At the time, Microsoft only hired 4th year students, so in my 4th year, I had an interview on campus with the GM of Small Business Server. During my 45 minute interview, I was asked to design a webpage for selling cars online. I did and was asked what the most important part of the website was, and I said the UI, then defended my position and got my first of two internships. I found out after the interview what Small Business Server (SBS) was and realized I was trying to build that exact product in my basement. After completing my internships, I joined the SBS team and have been here ever since.
She recruited testers — and then decided to become one
The geek in question: Shayna Swanson The job title: SDET, Distributed Application Server
I understand you used to be a recruiter?
Yep. I started as a recruiter at Microsoft in 2005. I interviewed mostly technical candidates, and years of hearing how excited they were about their technical roles got me really excited about it too.I have a degree in business management and HR management, so my background is definitely non-technical. But when I heard about Microsoft's Test Apprenticeship Program, it seemed like the perfect opportunity so, I applied. I was accepted and after nine months of on-the-job training, now I'm a tester working on Dublin.
Why testing?
A new challenge. HR and Engineering are two different beasts and I was ready to be challenged in a different way. Testing really fit what I was looking for. Also, it's multifaceted. I like to be creative and have variety in my work. With the testing you get to code and also write out plans. You also get to really think about the product in a different way: "how and why would the user do this, or how would even a hacker try to attack this?" You get to put on different hats and be different people.Was it intimidating, making the switch from a non-technical role?
Yes and no. Yes, because you're around all these super-smart people who have experience in what they're doing. But then no, because at the beginning the understanding was that I didn’t have a CS background so the initial expectation was just for me to learn — so it's kind of easy to live up to that one.What was it like, telling your recruiting manager that you were not only changing gigs, but completely changing worlds?
My manager knew I was technically inclined, so when projects came up that involved more technical aspects of the applications we used in HR, they were assigned to me. During a mid-year career discussion, I brought up doing the Test Apprenticeship Program and my manager was totally receptive. Career development isn't just about climbing the ladder at Microsoft — it's about the opportunity to work on a lot of different things too. Where else can you have a paying job and get trained with completely new skills at the same time?What's the biggest different between working in HR and working as a tester?
It's lot noisier in HR! You're talking with people all the time, that’s your job. On the technical side of things, people can get heads down and focused on their own thing.So, first recruiter. Now tester. What's next?
Currently, I’m focused on ongoing test training and trying to learn and contribute as much as I can. I just made the move so I’d like to get really good at this position first. …Weeeeell, actually I have written a design spec for a project and right now am working on some test plans, so the whole PM side of things might pique my interest down the road.Links please? • Microsoft's Test Apprenticeship Program • Microsoft's Dublin project
Loneserver.com
I love this video from Loneserver.com. "What ever happened to him?" "Windows ME? He's in the back, washin' dishes."
Related and absolutely required reading: Mommy, where do home servers come from?