A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
Well, at least it seems so in my life!
I mentioned I had a big announcement to make today, and since then I’ve been getting Facebook messages and MSN messages asking me if I am pregnant or engaged. NO PEOPLE, no. Goodness!
Yes, today is my last day at work at a wonderful company. Since graduating university, I’ve been working in the video game industry here in Vancouver. While I absolutely loved games, since March I’ve been trying my hand at working at a software company as a Product Marketing Manager. I was blown away. I can’t say enough good things about this company, my boss, and about my coworkers. In all honesty, I could have seen myself working here for another 5+ years. I’ve been extremely happy here.
And so… if it was any other company that called me three weeks ago, I would have said no. I would have said that I couldn’t make a change now. But, it was that company.
Growing up, one of my closest relatives was my uncle who was working in software at the time. He was a programmer, and when he set up a 486 computer for my family… I fell in love with computers and technology. As I mentioned in my blog post here, I’ve always been a huge nerd. Although I grew up into the arts and playing sports, I wanted to be a programmer when I grew up. Yes, I had a copy of Bill Gates’ “The Road Ahead”. My childhood dream was always to work for Bill. Yes, I know I’m the devil. I took AP Computer Science for a couple years in high school, and I got accepted to Waterloo for Computer Sciences. At the last minute, I made a drastic decision and decide to go to Western and Ivey instead for Business. I’ve always loved video games and in university I joined an Xbox 360 clan and pretty much played dozens of hours a week. And so it was natural that I ended up working in the video game industry after graduation.
Yep, I actually like Windows Vista. I’m excited for Windows 7. I drove down to the States to buy a Zune. I’m probably the only person I know who has a Zune. I use MSN Messenger exclusively as my messaging platform. I own an Xbox 360. I think you can tell where my loyalties lie.
So, as my boss likes to call it, I’ve “crossed over to the dark side”. Next Tuesday, I will be starting my new job full-time at… yup, you guessed it.
I’ll be working at their game studio here in Vancouver, part of their Games Division. I’m nervous, excited, and very happy. I feel like I’m taking a big risk. I can’t believe my childhood dream is actually coming true.
Back into video games!
————-
In other news, this weekend Allan and I have been invited to stay for two nights at the Wickaninnish Inn in our favourite place, Tofino. We’ve eaten there before and it was fantastic, but never stayed there. We feel very grateful and fortunate for the opportunity (hurray, no camping in the cold this time!). It’s a Relais & Châteaux property, and in my opinion, the most beautiful luxury hotel in Tofino. It couldn’t come at a better time… a little mini long weekend getaway for surf and relaxation before the new job starts to clear our slate is exactly what we need. We leave tomorrow morning and come back Sunday night. I’ll definitely have some photos and videos for you!
Tags: career, childhood dream, job, Tofino, university, Wickaninnish Inn
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October 15th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Congrats!
October 15th, 2009 at 11:11 am
congrats, Allie!
October 15th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Life is boring without risk. Evil Empire sounds fun! Congrats
October 15th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Congratulations Allie!!! That is wicked news
I have a zune as well, again I’m the only one in my crew that has one but whatever lol. I didn’t know they had a games division here in Vancouver.
Anyways best of luck!
October 15th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Congratulations! Good for you for taking the risk, I’m sure it will be for the best. Have a great time this weekend and good luck at your new job! Not that I think you need it, of course.
October 15th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Ok let me get this straight.. you are going to work for Microsoft’s Game division? PC and Console…?? If so, that’s pretty cool and congrats! I hope to see cool things with your name on it then!
October 15th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Lol when I first saw your “Big Announcement” I thought you were going to say you got engaged. But congratulations on the new job. Best wishes.
October 15th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Congrats! That’s huge! Will you be joining the big Microsoft commuter bus I see every morning on Oak from Vancouver to Richmond? Hope it’s everything you want and more! (the job, no the bus, haha.)
October 15th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
That’s awesome! Congratulations! You know I had Bill Gates son at one of my sports camp years ago. Cute kid. Bill dropped him of once and we had bodyguards camped out in the parking lot.
October 15th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Thanks everyone for the kind words!
Tyler… Yes, working in the Games Division, will be doing Xbox 360 games.
Carlos… Nope, actually will be at their studio in UBC, they will be moving back downtown in 2 months though to Yaletown.
October 15th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Am so excited for you!
I just started a new job in a field I always wanted to get into, and it’s so good actually wanting to go to work in the mornings and looking forward to it
Enjoy!!
October 15th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Congrats Allie,
Have a great weekend
October 15th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Awesome news! Good for you – I continue to be jealous of your video game career
(btw, I own two Zunes!)
October 15th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Congrats Allie
This is definitely one of those times when Opportunity doesn’t merely knock, it kicks the door down. You simply can’t refuse to miss out on a chance like this! 
October 15th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
hey Allie congrats on a new job! that sounds very exciting and so cool. haha i really thought maybe you were pregnant or getting married when you said you had an announcement.
are you going to be in yaletown? if so, i’m right by you – let’s meet up for coffee or lunch!
i must say though i HATE vista! it’s the bane of my existence.
October 15th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Congratulations Allie – sounds like an unbelievable opportunity, one that sounds as if you were destined for it! Good luck to this new endeavor and look forward to reading your blogs revealing your new experiences!
October 15th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Congrats Allie!
October 15th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Congratulations, Allie! That’s awesome news!
October 15th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Congratulations! I’d like to work for Microsoft someday too.
PS: I have a Zune too, I got sick of iTunes and I wouldn’t look back
October 15th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Congratulations…wow good on you!!! Have a fantastic weekend…You Go Girl!!!
October 15th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Allie!
That is fantastic news! Congratulations and best of luck with the new adventure!!!
October 15th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Congrats! Maybe you can help me … when does Halo 3 come to Windows?
I need my Halo fix!
October 15th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Congratulations Allie! New jobs are always very exciting!
You’re not the only one with a Zune
Looking forward to hearing how things go at the new gig!
As I’ve said more than a few times on my blog, I don’t hate Microsoft…I can only assume as more and more cool people get jobs there (you’re the second person I know that has recently got a job at MS), that things will only get better there.
October 15th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
congrats on the new gig with MS. and the wickaninnish inn is the shiznit! i totally thought you were getting engaged.
October 15th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Great news! I remember your post about work and lifestyle change a while back and now you’ve landed your dream job. Nice work. Do your snow dance…..
October 15th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Congratz, so does that mean we’ll be able to get games at a discount from you?
:p
October 16th, 2009 at 4:40 am
huge! congrats!! to realize a dream at this age is just fantastic, all the best =D
October 16th, 2009 at 4:48 am
Congrats for your new job at MS! Be sure to bring light into their dark deeds!
October 16th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Hey Allie,
Congratulation on your New Job & Good Luck please keep us up date on your new job. Love your website
October 17th, 2009 at 6:26 am
That’s so sweeeeet. I am totally jealous. I must say working for any type of gaming industry would be so much fun. Aside from the actually fun work, your bound to meet so many like-minded and down to earth individuals at your new job, which hopefully will make it all worth-while. Good luck!
October 17th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Congrats! I’ll raise a drink to your new job tonight. Also you’ll love the Wick. I hope you get to see some good waves whilst you stay there
October 18th, 2009 at 4:37 am
Wow, such a good new !!
Congratulations !! =) I’m really happy for you !! =)
October 18th, 2009 at 11:45 am
wow great news, your life is getting even more interesting.
October 19th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
CONGRATULATIONS! Such an exciting time for you!
* Kelsey
October 21st, 2009 at 8:15 pm
It’s always nice can work in something you love!
My best wishes for your new stage and congrats!!!
xxx
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Congratulations on getting the dream job! Not everyone can say that, so good for you! You’ll have to keep us all posted on how it goes when you start
October 24th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Wow, that’s great stuff happening for you! I hope that doesn’t mean you’ll be cutting down on your blog and Twitter as I heard rumours MS has policies on their employees posting personal stuff on the Internet, or am I wrong?
Either way, great news and congratulations!