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Why Microsoft and How I achieved my Goal

Debbie O'Brien on May 21, 2022

I started building websites in 1997 I started building websites in 1997 before I even had access to the internet. I got my first job in ...

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Ben Sinclair • May 21 '22

Microsoft was not my dream. It wasn't the company that I know it to be today, so it wasn't my goal.

The implication is that there were things you didn't like about Microsoft but that those things have changed for the better. I could be misreading what you wrote, but assuming that's how it was meant, can you elaborate on what aspects have improved in the time since you first dismissed Microsoft as a path?

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Sure. Microsoft moving into the open source world was what made me really want to work there. Plus before I seen it more as backend stuff like .NET focused which it was but now there is so much more, Typescript, VSCode, GitHub, NPM, Static web apps etc and now Playwright and all these are very useful in the Frontend world and free. So they are creating great developer tools and I really like that.

The Coding Mermaid 🧜‍♀️ • May 24 '22 • Edited

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I also decided for a Web design course in 2017 and since then I didn't stop learning and coding. At the time I was a little scared since I was near 30 y.o. but now I know that that doesn't mean anything. What matters is who you are and how much you fight to accomplish your goals. My background is in biology🐬 and now even that I love animals, I feel so happy and complete working at tech.

Having clear goals is more important than motivation. Since we could not be always happy, what's normal. But as long as we work a little bit towards our goals everyday, that will make a difference.

You are inspiring Debbie! You are someone that I can say "I wanna be like her one day".

Keep on rock n roll 🦄

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

ohhh. thanks for the kind words. and yes so glad you decided to do that course. Keep learning, keep coding and keep dreaming

MD Sarfaraj • May 23 '22

Your story is really incredible, I also want to work in a big company like Google, and also I want to build my own house.

Thanks for sharing this article, Love from India

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thanks, best of luck, am sure one day your dream will also come true

MD Sarfaraj • May 31 '22

Thank you :)

Santosh Yadav • May 22 '22

You are an inspiration Debbie, more power to you and I have a Similar dream to work at Microsoft one day 🙏

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thanks Santosh, keep doing what you are doing and I am sure you will find the right position

Kelsey Jones • May 25 '22

Really helpful.

Aarav Reddy • May 25 '22

Thank you for writing this

Marcelo Arraes Teixeira • Jun 5 '22

Debbie, great post! Can you link were i can make a certification like that by microsoft? I just found certifications for microsoft products.. but i would love to have one for front end like that.

Debbie O'Brien • Jun 23 '22

they actually retired it so am afraid I don't think it's available anymore
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/cer...

Sophia Nelson • May 24 '22

Good article, thank you.

silvesterwali • May 22 '22

congratulations. this is so inspiring me

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thanks so much

Mohammad-Ali A'RÂBI • May 22 '22

Nice! I'm glad you achieved your goal. And such a great piece you wrote here. It inspired me to set my goals more clearly and start chasing them.

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thanks, great, look forward to hearing all about them and reading your story one day

devashishSarmah • May 22 '22

This is inspiring!!
I have been learning about the web technologies and their concepts. I aspire to be a part of an awesome team and make a difference.

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thanks. Keep learning, coding and dreaming

Eddy Vinck • May 22 '22

What an incredible story, Debbie! Thanks so much for sharing it.

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thanks Eddy

Dzhavat Ushev • May 22 '22

Thanks for sharing your story. It's very inspiring!
Congrats on joining Microsoft 🎉

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thanks so much

David Dennis • May 22 '22

Congratulations on fulfilling your dreams. Indeed, the hardwork has paid off.
I believe you still have more to achieve.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge always with the community.

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thanks so much. Yes for sure. Now my new journey has just begun. :)

Andrew Baisden • May 22 '22

Great story its really inspirational you had a good journey.

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thanks :)

cnboker • May 23 '22

It's inspirational, I am inspired by your story.

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

thanks so much :)

Daniel J. Summers • May 24 '22

Awesome - congratulations!

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thanks 😊

Jacks • May 24 '22

thanks for share your history it was a very inspirational, I really enjoy read it.

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thanks 😊

Je • May 23 '22

Very inspiring, hope one day I could also work for MS.

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

I hope so too. It's an amazing company

Abdeldjalil Hachimi • May 22 '22

I am really proud of you,

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thank you :)

Nahid Akhter • May 23 '22

Very inspiring! What does it take to be a Microsoft MVP? I currently write blog articles and make YouTube videos on Excel. Does that matter?

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Sure it does. You can read more about the program here - mvp.microsoft.com/

Magda Rosłaniec • May 21 '22

Congratulations!
And thank you for sharing such an inspiring story.

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thanks so much :)

JooYoo • May 22 '22

And you lie Debbie. You are not 43, you are 21. Dream makes you forever young 💚

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thanks so much. yes always feeling like 21. I will be 21 forever :)

Domenico Rizzo • May 22 '22

Thanks for sharing, your story is very inspiring

Debbie O'Brien • May 31 '22

Thanks so much

Parker Waiters • May 25 '22

Glad I came across this.