Happy Happy News
Some of you may be wondering “What is Lisa doing now? She finally graduated last year and she said she would be looking for a job. What’s she up to?”
I’m happy to tell you that I found a job! =) At the end of July, I interviewed with Microsoft and I soon (although it felt like forever) found out I got an offer!!! =) EEK!!! I couldn't believe it. Some of you may remember that I was lucky enough to get an interview with Microsoft back in 3rd year of undergrad. Unfortunately, I wasn't given an offer that time. This time around, I was a much more of a nervous wreck preparing for the interview, as well as waiting for the outcome of the interview. I had studied my old CS notes and practiced a lot in preparation. I'm so glad that it all paid off. =)
I know that I could have gotten one of my friends to refer me for a position (and they could have gotten a referral bonus), but I didn't want to get a job through connections (if I can help it). I wanted to do it on my own and get a job based on my own abilities, not someone else playing up my skills and then I end up not being able to live up to that standard. While I know my friends would have given me lots of support, I'm glad that I did it on my own. And thank you to those who helped me get through the interview (you know who you are).
So why did I not announce this exciting news earlier? Mainly because there are a lot of hoops to jump through in order to work in the US and I wanted to make sure that it wasn't a dream, that something didn't suddenly come up and the offer disappears. I would have been crushed if that were to happen and then have to announce the disappointing news. You have no idea how hard it was to keep it a secret. At last, I'm done jumping through hoops and I will finally join "the real world" and "grow up" (but who really wants to do that?).
I've found myself an apartment and the management seems extremely nice. There's even a community website where you can get info about your neighbours. It seems many of my neighbours are from India. Maybe I'll learn some Indian cooking. Although a tad on the expensive side, it's extremely close to work. It's worth paying a little more for convenience when living in a new city, I think. I can always move somewhere else once the lease is over.
Before I start working, I'm going to Europe for 2 weeks. I planned this trip before I even got the offer, so there's no way I'm giving it up. I didn't go on a trip when I graduated this time around, unlike last time when I went to Japan (oh, such good times and memories). This trip makes up for it. =) I'm heading out on Friday (tomorrow!). I'm pretty excited. =D
When I get back, I have only a few days before I move to Seattle. It'll be extremely hectic so I don't think I'll be able to visit anyone before I go. I'm sure you'll forgive me for not going out and celebrating with you. Right? =D
I’m happy to tell you that I found a job! =) At the end of July, I interviewed with Microsoft and I soon (although it felt like forever) found out I got an offer!!! =) EEK!!! I couldn't believe it. Some of you may remember that I was lucky enough to get an interview with Microsoft back in 3rd year of undergrad. Unfortunately, I wasn't given an offer that time. This time around, I was a much more of a nervous wreck preparing for the interview, as well as waiting for the outcome of the interview. I had studied my old CS notes and practiced a lot in preparation. I'm so glad that it all paid off. =)
I know that I could have gotten one of my friends to refer me for a position (and they could have gotten a referral bonus), but I didn't want to get a job through connections (if I can help it). I wanted to do it on my own and get a job based on my own abilities, not someone else playing up my skills and then I end up not being able to live up to that standard. While I know my friends would have given me lots of support, I'm glad that I did it on my own. And thank you to those who helped me get through the interview (you know who you are).
So why did I not announce this exciting news earlier? Mainly because there are a lot of hoops to jump through in order to work in the US and I wanted to make sure that it wasn't a dream, that something didn't suddenly come up and the offer disappears. I would have been crushed if that were to happen and then have to announce the disappointing news. You have no idea how hard it was to keep it a secret. At last, I'm done jumping through hoops and I will finally join "the real world" and "grow up" (but who really wants to do that?).
I've found myself an apartment and the management seems extremely nice. There's even a community website where you can get info about your neighbours. It seems many of my neighbours are from India. Maybe I'll learn some Indian cooking. Although a tad on the expensive side, it's extremely close to work. It's worth paying a little more for convenience when living in a new city, I think. I can always move somewhere else once the lease is over.
Before I start working, I'm going to Europe for 2 weeks. I planned this trip before I even got the offer, so there's no way I'm giving it up. I didn't go on a trip when I graduated this time around, unlike last time when I went to Japan (oh, such good times and memories). This trip makes up for it. =) I'm heading out on Friday (tomorrow!). I'm pretty excited. =D
When I get back, I have only a few days before I move to Seattle. It'll be extremely hectic so I don't think I'll be able to visit anyone before I go. I'm sure you'll forgive me for not going out and celebrating with you. Right? =D