MSOE student receives Golden Ticket from Microsoft
| Published: 04/26/2011 |
|
Ayla Jensen, a sophomore computer engineering student at MSOE, participated in the 2011 Golden Ticket Project at Microsoft's world headquarters in Redmond, Wash. On April 15, she joined an exclusive group of 50 students from across the country identified as top sophomores and juniors, all with the potential to excel in the software industry. They participated in a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the products, people and culture of Microsoft.
The Golden Ticket Project is an all-expense paid, two-day trip to Microsoft. The students are exposed to Microsoft engineers, visionaries, grassroots innovators, engineering challenges and the Pacific Northwest. Participants observed and practiced the ideas and concepts taught in classes through workshops including a test workshop where they practiced black box, white box and real-world testing.
Participants worked to find bugs in online tools created for the event and live product websites. Students then found themselves "creating a game" as part of a team. Design specifications brought to life these creative new multi-media games using only allocated materials, constraints, a target audience and judging criteria.
"It was a lot of fun and a great learning experience about how software development happens at Microsoft. First, we got a tour of the Microsoft campus. Forty thousand people work there! They have three main jobs for developing software: program managers, developers and testers. We got to meet with people from each job and do a small activity," said Jensen.
Participants had the opportunity to network with engineers from all over the company and enjoy lunch at the Microsoft Commons with more than 40 restaurants to choose from. Students were exposed to new ideas and how those ideas make it to market at a Tech Fest featuring more than nine different Microsoft product teams.
"My favorite part was the speed networking event, where we met with as many employees as we could in one hour. I felt that I was able to learn what working at Microsoft was really like," said Jensen. "Everyone there is so intelligent, and so passionate. It was a great honor to be invited to spend time with them and their company."
As the sun was setting, students headed to the Microsoft Garage, where grassroots products and ideas have originated from entrepreneurial spirits at the Microsoft campus. The day ended with a bang and a party at the world famous Space Needle! Microsoftees were impressed by the enthusiasm, poise, and quality of students from the many schools represented.
"We are confident these students will take what they learned as they drive towards becoming the next generation of innovators," said Erin Stancik, Microsoft university recruiter. "Ayla was an outstanding participant and highlighted the talent being fostered at MSOE! Not officially recognized but she got third place out of 50 students in earning points for the day and was identified as a student with great testing aptitude and leadership abilities!"
MSOE is an independent university with 2,600 students. MSOE offers 18 bachelor's degrees and 10 master's degrees in the engineering, engineering technology, building and infrastructure engineering, health-related engineering, computer, business and nursing fields. The university has a national academic reputation; longstanding ties to business and industry; dedicated professors with real-world experience; and extremely high placement rates and starting salaries. MSOE graduates are well-rounded, technologically experienced and highly productive professionals and leaders.