When I used to be serving as a soldier within the U.S. Army’s elite seventy fifth Ranger Regiment, the very last thing I believed I might find yourself doing was working for Microsoft. However, life has an uncanny knack for astonishing us, and my journey from a Special Operations soldier to a tech skilled is a testomony to that truth.
The navy teaches many issues: self-discipline, teamwork, technique, and flexibility. The experiences and coaching one receives as a member of Special Operations are distinctive and invaluable. I used to be lucky sufficient to have been part of that world, and it laid a robust basis for the abilities I might later want within the tech business.
One won’t instantly draw parallels between the navy and a world expertise chief. Yet, these worlds should not as divergent as they appear. The problem-solving abilities, management capabilities, and strategic considering I honed within the navy had been equally vital after I entered the world of expertise. The navy gave me a platform to be taught these abilities; Microsoft supplied me a chance to use them in a very completely different context.
This unconventional transition would not have been potential with out the Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (MSSA). It served as my bridge from the Special Operations world to the tech business. MSSA is an intensive, 17-week program that gives transitioning service members and veterans with important profession abilities required for immediately’s rising expertise business.
In the MSSA program, I used to be capable of construct on the technical acumen I had developed within the navy. From cybersecurity to cloud improvement, this system affords a strong and complete curriculum that enabled me to leverage my previous experiences whereas buying new, extremely invaluable abilities I proceed to construct on in my tech profession.
The journey, although difficult, was value each little bit of the hassle, and the sensation was amplified after I was provided a place at Microsoft. It felt like a dream come true, and in some ways, it was. However, I’m reminded that desires do not work except you do, and I had put within the work to make this a actuality.
My path from the navy to IT would not have been potential with out the assist and religion of some extremely inspiring folks. I owe a lot of my success to Steve Walters, who noticed potential in me and took an opportunity by hiring me. His perception in my talents performed a pivotal position in my journey, and for that, I’m immensely grateful.
I additionally want to specific my heartfelt gratitude to Chris Cortez, the Vice President of Military Affairs at Microsoft. His dedication to the MSSA program is an inspiration. Chris’s dedication to serving to veterans transition into careers within the tech business has made a big influence on many lives, mine included. His efforts have given service members like me a chance to search out our place within the tech world whereas using the abilities we developed in our navy careers.
Looking again, I see that each expertise I had, and each problem I overcame within the navy, was making ready me for this journey. From the seventy fifth Ranger Regiment to Microsoft, the highway has been lengthy, difficult, however in the end fulfilling. I’m humble in my accomplishments, grateful for the alternatives I’ve been given, and excited for the highway forward. I hope that my story can function an inspiration for different navy members transitioning into civilian life, displaying them that the abilities they’ve should not solely valued but additionally extremely wanted within the tech business.
Life has a means of bringing us to surprising locations. I began as a soldier, turned a Ranger, and now I’m a part of a unprecedented group at Microsoft that continues to serve the DOD in assist of the ladies and men of the Armed Forces. It’s a journey I would not commerce for something, and I stay up for seeing the place this highway takes me subsequent.