I feel like I've been preparing for this job for the last 5 years.
Today is my first day as a Technical Evangelist at Microsoft. I'll be heading to New Employee Orientation shortlly.
To say I'm excited about this opportunity would be a huge understatement.
My primary focus will be on helping people to build applications for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 and helping them to use Windows Azure.
I'll be doing a lot of the things that I love to do and that I've done in my spare time for years - blogging, delivering technical presentations, learning new technologies, and helping others to build apps. But now it will be my day job, instead of something I need to make time for.
There will be challenges. For one, I need to quickly get up to speed on some of the technologies I'll be teaching. I've written and published a Windows 8 app and a Windows Phone app, but I'm still a novice. This needs to change in a hurry.
Also, I will be moving to Chicago soon and I need to get to know the developer community in the Chicagoland area. If you are a mobile developer (even on a non-Microsoft platform) and you live in Illinois, Indiana, or Wisconsin, I'd love to hear from you.
- It will allow me to make a living learning and teaching - two of the things I enjoy the most.
- Every Microsoft Evangelist I have met - and I mean EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. - has been great. By that, I mean each is a sharp technologist; an intelligent, articulate communicator; and a good person. I'm excited to work on a team like this.
I am sad to leave behind some things. I have spent over 5 years as a consultant at Sogeti and I made many friends and learned a great deal. I can recommend Sogeti to anyone looking to work for or hire a good consulting company.
Also, in order to devote more time to my new job, I have resigned from the INETA Board of Directors and from the Telerik Insiders Program.
So, the past is the past and the next phase in my life begins now! I feel like I'm looking ahead in a way I have not done in years.