I always wanted to do this blogpost but I was not quite sure what to write in here, I hope isn’t too late. When I first started at Microsoft in June 2020 (yes, took me 5 years to write this post), that’s because I spent a lot of time convincing myself that my career dream had come true. Back when I was in Brazil, I had big dream to be part of the Microsoft team and I had a few chances before, but I guess wasn’t ready. So, when I got the new chance to join the team, especially the M365 ACE Engineering team, I was honestly a bit shocked it was happening – my career in IT started in 2007 – 18 years ago, and took me 13 years of preparation to officially join Microsoft Corp. It was like a crazy tv show with 13 episodes passing in front of me leading to a happy ending. There has been a lot to process all of that!
I did the below collage back in June 16 2020, a day after starting in Microsoft and the day I left MVP family after 9 cycles,I don’t know why, but I never posted this collage anywhere.
So, how did I end up at Microsoft? Let me simplify: hard work + the Microsoft Tech Community.
After 13 years of working with Microsoft technologies for the tech community, MSTF partners, and customers, I found myself in Berlin, ready to join a smaller local company to continue work as M365 Administrator. But thanks to the MVP community and some incredile networking, a friend in Berlin connected me with another friend in Redmond (Thanks to Jo & Carlos), and just like that, everything changed – a M365 ACE role in Dublin was open! Right timing, that time was ready, and of course with the support of my husband and friends, I got in!
After all those years working with Microsoft tech, BPOS, Office 365, and M365, I’m here living my dream. Yesterday, June 15, I hit my 5-year anniversary! I’m about to get my first crystal to celebrate these good 5 years with a fantastic manager, and team full of great and knowledgeable people. I feel super lucky, and it’s amazing to see all that hard work paying off too.
I know there’s still so much more to learn, grow, and share, but I couldn’t be more thankful for all the achievements, challenges, promotions, and opportunities I’ve had so far in this company.
This is a post to celebrate that I got in and to celebrate 5 years since a dream came true and it’s a reminder for myself and everyone else that with hard work, persistence and a clear direction, we can find our way to the wished path.
Big thanks to everyone who’s been there for me on this journey!
Sara Barbosa
PT-BR only – In case you want to explore a few more details about my journey, I wrote a few notes about my career journey 2007-2020, and it was attached to the collection of community stories in this book: O Poder do PeopleChain or at this link Sobre Sara Barbosa – PT-BR.pdf
Sara Barbosa 