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	EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

Volume 4 , Issue 7

Career Spotlight - Application Developer

Name: Cindy Anderson
Job Title: Applications Developer
Employer: Microsoft
Years at Job: 3
Education: Honours BA in psychology from York University in Toronto; Accelerated Computer Systems Management Certificate, Capilano College, Vancouver.

How did you make the transition from psychology to IT?

I had worked for over 11 years in social work, mostly counseling high-risk children when I suffered an epileptic seizure. This medical condition affected my ability to do my job since I was no longer able to drive. I began to investigate other careers and became aware of the opportunities that existed in information technology. I subsequently enrolled in an intensive 10-month program for mature students at a local college where all I did was eat and breathe computers. At the end of the program I had the equivalent of a two-year college degree in computer systems, a great understanding of what to expect in the real world of IT, and an interview with Microsoft in the U.S.

What cinched the deal for you in landing the job at Microsoft?

The night before my scheduled formal interview I wrote down 50 reasons why Microsoft was going to hire me. Those reasons included everything from a desire to learn, positive energy and creative problem-solving skills to determination, dependability and being excited about technology. In the interview loop the next day I was able to reiterate all 50 reasons. Even though I did not have the experience they were looking for, the test organization saw the passion and drive I had and decided to take a chance. I was offered a three-month contract to come and work at Microsoft as a sub-contractor. One month into my contract, I was offered a full-time position.

How has your career at Microsoft progressed?

I started as a test engineer, was promoted to a test lead and then moved over to the development team and have been working as an applications developer since February 2000.

Can you describe your present job duties?

I am currently the lead developer for a data warehouse system that takes data from various sources, then cleanses and manipulates the data and creates a schema to be used as the data source for multiple OLAP cubes. I am the system architect responsible for creating/designing the technical solutions for new feature requests made by our end users - the Microsoft Consulting Group, MCS. I use the latest Microsoft technology to build the applications the company needs to run its business. Over and above my development role, I have become very involved in the company’s diversity initiative. I’ve taken on a key role in a leadership team and am also actively involved in one of the committees for our parent organization. This has given me the opportunity to continue in the work I believe so strongly in and as reflected in my educational pursuits at York University.

What are your career goals over the next few years?

Over the next year I hope to widen the breadth of my technical knowledge to include technologies outside of the SQL and OLAP that I use on a daily basis. This will allow me to be able to demonstrate which technology actually offers the best solution for the business problem. Within three years’ time I want to be making a difference in the way Microsoft does business by continuing to be actively involved in the diversity efforts. And within five years, I have my sights set on becoming a general manager.

Do you have some tips for those wanting to build a career in the computing industry?

The most amazing thing about this field is that you really can get a career without first having to accomplish multiple academic goals. Many people in this field do not even have a degree but they are very successful because they have a solid foundation of computer systems through some sort of training process. Take me, for example. I don’t have what one would call classical training in computer science, but I am making a real impact here at Microsoft; not only in the actual development work I do on a daily basis, but also in a much wider scope through the diversity work. I needed a program to teach me the basics and to really give me the possibility that I could actually excel in the industry.

What about some career pointers specifically for women?

Don’t think you are the only woman in the technical track, even if you are the only woman on the development team in your workplace. Attend technical conferences and network. Find a woman who is technically strong and ask her to be your mentor. Find out if your company has a resource group created for women. If not, consider joining an organization like Women in Technology Inc. (WITI). Organizations like these can provide strategies for career advancement and technical growth. Also, find your strength and let it shine. Many women are particularly good communicators, so use strong skills to your advantage. This field is really limitless, so be responsible for your own career and take it as far as you want to go.

The preceding article was based on an interview conducted by Stephen Ibaraki, ISP, chief architect at iGEN Knowledge Solutions Inc.