There is certainly a dark side to being transparent... Where have I been? I have been swallowed up by the endless offers and questions around employment at the Microsoft Vancouver Development Centre. The last few weeks have been times of big growth for me,
Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007, as I have realized how little I actually know about international employment and how often I have to say, "I don't know". I have been asked everything from how to get your pets immunized for Canadian customs, to how to get a discount on a Canadian bus pass. And, it seems I am filled with seemingly unsolvable questions. Everyone loves the idea of being "transparent", until you don't know the answers. The good news is, that I am now emerging from the bottom of my email and I have nearly every SDET and SDE who was impacted by the H1B visa cap, placed in a job in Vancouver. And I'm starting to say, "I don’t know", a whole lot less often. So, what do we know? Well, plenty of people will be in the new Microsoft Canada Vancouver office starting in September, and waves of others will be joining in October and November. Next month, will mark the 6 month mark of when we first dreamed up this office. Yes, that is right- an international office conceived of and fully operational in a span of less than 6 months. So to anyone who wonders if Microsoft is still a nimble and innovative company- I can tell you that I have lived through it and can confidently say,"yes". For the next few months, I am happy to be a little less nimble and a whole lot more relaxed...Vancouver has worn me out. But, for all of the people who I personally placed in this last month, I thank you for your patience and am thrilled to have you as a part of the team! - Jenna