Joining Microsoft's Gaming Group
I’ve always made sure I enjoy my work whether it is at a company I start or a company I join. Loving what you do is even better and since Q3 2004 I’ve loved what I’ve been doing. Managing scanR’s engineering team and being the chief architect has been an absolute pleasure.
Why? Well, we have solved some amazing technical challenges, I’ve learnt a ton about the mobile space, my team is talented and great to work with, and everyone in the company is intelligent, hard working and a pleasure to be around.
But there is one thing beyond a job you love ... the dream job. My dream job is to work in the gaming industry where the work I do on a daily basis has the possibility of influencing the industry as a whole.
There are very few companies that can support such a position. Microsoft is one of them and through a series of serendipitous events I’ll be starting my dream job at Microsoft on Monday.
I cannot give many details of the position except to say it is an architectural role (called a Partner Architect) where I’ll be playing with various technologies and platforms, working with a variety of groups, and I’ll be working for Chris Satchell, the Chief Technical Officer of the Interactive Entertainment Business (aka ‘Gaming Group’ ... makers of Xbox 360, Games for Windows, XNA Game Studio tools, etc).
The decision to leave scanR and move to the Seattle area to join Microsoft wasn’t taken lightly, but when your dream job comes across your plate it is hard not to dig in. I know scanR is in good hands and I offer my sincerest wishes for great success.
Do you remember when Norm on Cheers got his dream job? He was the official taster for a big beer company.
Not sure if you remember what happened to that job? He lost it after he started. He had a bad interview with the co.'s owner that went horribly wrong.
Don't be Norm.
... so said 'Dan Nieuwland' on 12/12/2008 @ 01:36:54 PM [Direct Link]
Congrats! Your new opportunity is a fantastic one, and I am sure that you'll make an impact, as usual.
And remember...don't be Norm.
-Paulo (Prizym)
... so said 'Paulo Ferreira' on 12/12/2008 @ 01:53:11 PM [Direct Link]
Thanks for the sage advice Dan, and thanks for the support Paulo. It is always tough to say good-bye, but of course I will see you on Xbox Live :).
... so said 'Joseph Molnar' on 12/12/2008 @ 02:22:06 PM [Direct Link]
Congrats! That does sound like a dream job :-)
What's your handle on Xbox Live? I'm MsLusty.
... so said 'Diana Stanley' on 12/12/2008 @ 05:16:43 PM [Direct Link]
Thanks Diana! It has been a long time. Glad to see you on Xbox Live; I just sent you a friend request. Gamertag is Talvish.
... so said 'Joseph Molnar' on 12/12/2008 @ 07:16:26 PM [Direct Link]