Colin Hodge’s Post

Nobody knows anything.🤔 In every career path, there are 'experts' who once doubted unconventional routes before they contributed to change.🙃 My journey to becoming a software engineer at Google was anything but traditional.🤗 It's vital to assert yourself. Politely challenge others' views, then prove them wrong with confidence.😌 Adaptability is key. While I honed my coding skills, I also stayed open to learning from failures and feedback.😇 Strive to be a leader in your tech journey, but keep an open mind because no one has all the answers.😀 My story is a testament to the fact that perseverance, continuous learning, and embracing the unknown can lead to incredible opportunities.🌼 #CareerPath #ChangeMakers #SoftwareEngineer #Google #Adaptability #CodingSkills #Leadership #Perseverance #ContinuousLearning #EmbracingTheUnknown 

Thrilled to celebrate 1.5 years as a software engineer at Google! 🎉 Reflecting on my first job out of college, here are my top 3 key takeaways: 1. Finding the work-life rhythm: College prepared me well. Just like coursework, there's flexibility in approach. You can meet deadlines with minimal effort or excel by investing deeper. Taking initiative builds skills far beyond the bare minimum 💪 2. The power of mentorship: Connecting with a mentor outside my team has been invaluable. Their unbiased guidance and Google experience give me perspective and help me navigate my career growth 🚀 3. Prioritizing fitness: I've been surprised by how much morning workouts boost my mental game - improving focus, energy, and confidence throughout the workday 🧠⚡️ #softwareengineer #google #careergrowth #mentorship

Yesterday was the first day of Week 6 'Get Career Ready.' I attended two lectures, the first was from members of Microsoft and the second was about exploring careers outside my field. In ‘Inside Microsoft: Careers, Culture, and Belonging’ Ellie England (O'Sullivan) and Minakshi Jaiswal spoke about non-linear/flexible careers and how people are able to gain different qualifications and experiences through Microsoft especially. One of the key takeaways was the 'key growth mindset' and what attributes help in having a good mindset to your career. Being driven, customer-focused, respectful, and taking care to produce the best work possible, are key to success. All these features combined create a great growth mindset. In the second seminar, 'Breaking Boundaries: Exploring careers outside your field', they spoke about switching career paths and how connecting with people via LinkedIn can help with the movement between industries. I asked the question aloud "what skills helped you in changing career paths?" Siân Gwyther responded by saying that delivering excellent customer service was the key thing that helped with her job transition, due to most industries favouring some level of customer relations. The power of our skills and how we achieved this should be highlighted on CV's. For example instead of only saying I worked in a pub for 4 years, I can talk about how I had to manage cash transactions which has contributed towards my cash management skills. Overall, the first day of Week 6 has been very beneficial to my professional development and understanding I am not limited to one career path.

I am thrilled to share that I've officially joined Google as a Technical Vendor Program Manager after an incredible journey as an apprentice! 🚀✨ My apprenticeship was an exhilarating journey filled with growth, learning and caffeine! It shaped me into a stronger, more versatile professional. Now, I’m excited to transition my learnings into meaningful impact in this new role. 3 Key Takeaways that have helped me in my journey: ✅ Continuous Upskilling: Learning to stay ahead. Adapt, evolve and solve. ✅ Value Collaboration: Teamwork truly does make the dream work. ✅ Hunger for Growth: Never stop pushing boundaries. Reach for the stars, one step at a time. As I embark on this next chapter at Google, I am immensely grateful to everyone who supported me along the way- mentors, colleagues and friends. Cheers to new beginnings! 🌟 #LifeAtGoogle #BuildForEveryone #NewBeginnings #Google

🚀 Thank you to everyone that joined us for our series, 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿, ft. Edward Dapello Product Marketing Manager at Microsoft. Edward started his career as a Product Advisor at Microsoft retail stores and worked his way to become an experienced Product Marketing Manager at Microsoft. 💫 Here are some highlights from Edward’s talk: 1. Take advantage of your current opportunities to set yourself up for future ones. During his time in retail—Edward's role included supporting customers and running workshops, which helped him grow a deep understanding of users, their pain points, how to solve their problems, and how to communicate. 2. Create powerful stories about your experiences. After being turned down from his first interviews, Edward realized that he had to build compelling stories. So he spent a year learning Azure, PowerBI, and communication, and applied those new skills in his retail job to solve real problems. This helped him get the job when he applied for Microsoft's rotational program! 3. The spectrum of learning is huge and you should allocate time for different modes of learning outside of college. From Edward's experience, he gained his mix of technical and soft skills from college, during jobs, online courses, mentorship, volunteering, and reading articles. ➡️Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/gGH4_nzY 📈Looking to break into venture capital, or community and program management? Don't miss out on our next speaker, Maria Pope, Head of Community at Carta. 📌 RSVP now for May 15th at 12pm PDT: https://lu.ma/8xt7nr48 #productmarketing #students #microsoft #tech #startups #analytics #data #careeradvice #professionaldevelopment

A while back, I had a conversation that changed my perspective. As someone deeply involved in workforce development, I’ve always understood the need for continuous learning, especially in IT. But the conversation wasn’t about students or early-career professionals—it was about us, the ones guiding them. We often emphasize the importance of new skills for job seekers, but what about those of us already established in our careers? As the Program Director of Microsoft Skills for Jobs, I realized that even in leadership roles, staying updated with the latest trends isn’t optional. It’s a necessity. When I first took on this role, I was confident in my understanding of the industry, but technology moves faster than we think. The digital landscape is evolving, and even seasoned professionals can find themselves needing to catch up. That’s where programs like Microsoft Skills for Jobs come in. A joint program of Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK) and Microsoft We’re not just creating courses for others—we’re building opportunities to upskill for all professionals, including myself. The skills I’ve gained through this program have reshaped my approach, not just as a leader but as a lifelong learner. The takeaway? None of us can afford to assume we’ve “arrived.” Technology keeps pushing boundaries, and we have to keep pushing ourselves to grow with it.

🌟 **Reflecting on My 12-Year Journey: From College to Microsoft** 🌟 🎢 Life has been quite the roller coaster ride for me over the past 12 years—from my college days in 2012 to where I stand today in 2024. Along the way, I've encountered ups and downs, valuable lessons, and diverse experiences. Let me share a glimpse of my journey: 📚 **Lessons Learned:** - Every twist and turn taught me something new. Whether it was navigating corporate labyrinths or adapting to different work environments, I've grown wiser with each challenge. - Hard work and dedication are non-negotiable. I vividly remember my college days when I worked part-time, earning a humble 2k per month at Big Bazaar. Those experiences shaped my work ethic and resilience. 🤝 **Family Support:** - Through thick and thin, my family stood by me. Their unwavering support fueled my determination. They were my cheerleaders during late-night study sessions and my pillars of strength during tough times. 🌐 **Diverse Experiences:** - Working with various companies and meeting people from all walks of life enriched my perspective. Each interaction added a new brushstroke to the canvas of my career. 🚀 **Microsoft Journey:** - Today, I proudly wear the Microsoft badge. Being part of this incredible family is both an honor and a privilege. The journey of learning and upskilling continues, and I'm excited for what lies ahead. Remember, life's roller coaster isn't about avoiding the dips—it's about embracing them and enjoying the exhilarating ride. Here's to growth, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence! 🚀🌟 #MicrosoftLife #CareerJourney #Upskilling #LifeLessons

I am thrilled to announce a major milestone in my career journey! After 12 incredible years dedicated to the education sector, I am embarking on a new adventure as a member of Google's Digital Marketing team. Throughout my journey in education, I've had the privilege of shaping young minds, fostering creativity, and instilling a love for learning. It's been an incredibly fulfilling experience, one that has left an indelible mark on my professional and personal life and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and the wonderful individuals I've had the pleasure of working with over the years. Transitioning from one industry to another is never easy. For me, leaving behind the familiar terrain of education was a daunting decision. The journey wasn't without its hurdles. There were doubts, fears, and moments of uncertainty. It required extensive research, dedicated learning and stepping out of my comfort zone, to gain insights and knowledge in the new field. But through it all, I held onto one truth: Believe in yourself, growth lies beyond the confines of comfort. Embracing change opens doors to new opportunities, experiences, and perspectives that can enrich our lives in ways we never imagined. The most rewarding experiences often await on the other side of fear. As I embark on this new chapter, I am excited to apply my passion for education, creativity, and strategic thinking to drive impactful marketing initiatives at Google. Joining Google is a dream come true. Sincere thanks to my manager Nirmiti Narain and my mentor Sidhant Ray for such a warm welcome to the team. I am beyond excited for what the future holds. Here's to new beginnings, endless possibilities, and the thrill of embracing change. #Google #lifeatgoogle #digitalmarketing #careertransition #embracechange

🌱 From Nervous Beginnings to New Heights: 2 Years at Microsoft 🚀 Two years ago, I walked through the doors of Microsoft with a heart full of dreams and a mind full of worries. Coming from a tier-3 college with an ECE background, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being an underdog. I questioned everything 🤷♀️ : "Am I really ready for this? Do I have what it takes to thrive here?" The first few weeks were tough—I was surrounded by brilliant minds, working on projects that felt way out of my league. But then, something amazing happened. I realized that these challenges were not roadblocks, they were opportunities in disguise. I dove into learning, asked a million questions, and slowly, the doubts started fading. I found my rhythm, discovered my strengths, and built connections that turned into lifelong friendships. The very things I feared became the stepping stones to growth. From the intense late-night study sessions in college to celebrating project milestones at Microsoft, every experience has been a valuable lesson in my journey. It’s been a journey of constant learning, overcoming self-doubt, and proving to myself that your background doesn’t define your potential—your determination does💪. Today, as I look back on these two incredible years, I’m filled with gratitude and pride. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that no dream is too big if you have the courage to chase it. #Microsoft #2Years #UnderdogToAchiever #ECEtoTech #CareerJourney #NeverStopLearning

👋 Hi everyone, I recently applied for the Amazon Summer School program with high hopes, but unfortunately, I wasn't selected. While it's easy to celebrate success, we often overlook the importance of embracing failure as a crucial part of our journey. 🌟 Success and Failure: Two Sides of the Same Coin 🌟 🔍 Why Celebrate Failure? Learning Opportunity: Failure provides us with valuable lessons that success might not. It forces us to reflect, adapt, and grow. Each setback is a step closer to understanding what it takes to succeed. Resilience: Overcoming failure builds resilience. It teaches us to persevere, to rise again with greater determination, and to approach challenges with a stronger mindset. Innovation and Creativity: Many of the greatest innovations stem from repeated failures. Each failure is a chance to think outside the box and to find creative solutions to problems. Authentic Growth: Success often showcases the end result, but failure gives us insight into the process. It helps us appreciate the journey and the effort involved in achieving our goals. 🌟 My Takeaway: Not being selected for the Amazon Summer School program was disappointing, but it has pushed me to reassess my approach, sharpen my skills, and prepare even better for future opportunities. Let’s remember that success is not the only measure of our worth. Embracing failure with a positive mindset is crucial for personal and professional growth. So, here’s to celebrating both our triumphs and our setbacks! 🚀 #GrowthMindset #CelebrateFailure #LifelongLearning #Resilience #SuccessJourney #NeverGiveUp