Last week was my first week at @GitHub as a director of Product Management. It also was the end of my 7 year journey at @Microsoft.

I joined Microsoft right out of college and directly from Palestine. It’s been a quite a journey. Thread

During my senior year of college studying computer engineering in Palestine, I found a link to apply to @Microsoft as part of the .NET club in my hometown. Although I didn’t think I’ll get anything out of it, I applied anyway. I didn’t even tell my parents.

To my surprise, @Microsoft called to schedule a phone interview. I told my parents and my boyfriend at the time (husband now ). I started preparing for my phone interview.

Not knowing much about how to interview for a company like @Microsoft, I leaned on the resources @jaffoneh has learned through career fairs and studying for interviews through the resources available to him at @UW. I was privileged enough to have that access.

This was lesson #1. Being talented and good is one thing, having access to the right resources is a whole different thing. This is why programs like @TeamManara and the work @laila_abudahi and @ilianamontauk do is so important.

My phone interview went well and @Microsoft flew me to Dubai for a “full loop”. At the time, I applied for a software engineering role since there were no open product management roles for international applicants out of college.

Half way through my interview loop, one of the interviewers who was a director of PM at the time recognized my skills. She asked the interview loop to focus more on my PM skills and interview me for a PM role. I didn’t know this at the time.

This was lesson #2. Diversity matters and when you have an open mindset, you have no idea how much you can impact someone’s life. Thank you, @traceyt

On my way back to Palestine from Dubai, I was stuck at the border for hours. This is not out of norm going back to Palestine. There was no internet on the way so I asked @jaffoneh to keep checking for an email from Microsoft. I couldn’t wait to hear back.

He called me with the news. Microsoft offered me a PM position in Redmond, Washington. I couldn’t believe it. I literally couldn’t. I paid a fortune to log in to my email to see it myself. I was in.

After my offer, I had the privilege of having amazing parents. They supported me throughout. This is not something to take for granted. That’s why seeing all companies go remote now will open opportunities to hundreds of amazing women who have the talent but need the opportunity.

My journey at Microsoft itself needs a whole different thread. I worked on amazing products with amazing people. I owe a lot of where I am today to the many men and women who mentored me, gave me opportunities, and respected what I can contribute and bring to the table.

Lesson #3, you can always choose how you help and mentor junior folks on your team. It’s life changing, don’t ignore it. Shout out to the amazing @pprovost, @ElegantCoder, @ashtom , @TwiKarl, and many others. Your impact continues.

Today, I’m proud to be leading a team of talented and diverse PMs. I carry with me the privilege and the challenges I’ve had to get to here.

I’m also proud to work for people like @natfriedman, @KeithBa, @shankuniyogi, @ryanjsalva and many others who continue to lead with empathy and kindness. I’m so proud to join @GitHub and continue to contribute to the community. Let the journey begin! (End of thread )