Here’s a good-sized surprise…

I am resigning from my SDET2 position in the Windows Live Desktop Clients - UX Platform test team effective Friday 3/13.

Why? I need to realign my job and career closer to my personal passions and life-long goals.

Over the last 15+ years I have learned an incredible amount from the Windows Live, Mobile Devices, Microsoft Press, and other teams and products. The last 5 years with WLDC has been fantastic. Every day I work with amazing people making fantastic products. I have worked hard to ship high quality features and components to millions of customers while also helping our team and company grow and succeed long-term. Now I feel it is time to grow new skills and apply what I've learned here to make more direct improvements in peoples’ lives and living conditions.

You can always contact me at zephan@msn.com (e-mail and IM) or 206-779-5511 now or any time in the future. My internal site is http://my/sites/zephans. My external blog is at http://zephans.spaces.live.com (shoot me e-mail if you don't have access).

Thanks! –ZephanS
Follow your passion!

OK, so you decided to scroll down. I tried keeping the announcement above short. If you are interested in more details read on…

Rude Q&A:

Q: Are you leaving because you don't like your manager’s hairstyle?
A: I thought about it, but I decided that wasn't a deal breaker :-). Actually this decision has nothing to do with the WLDC team or management. As far as I'm concerned this is one of the best teams I've worked with at Microsoft. Keep it up!

Q: What are you up to next?
A: I am actively building knowledge of the energy industry to help people better understand, manage, conserve, and produce energy through use of new and existing technologies. I also hope to spend some time with education/learning-related technologies as well as technology support for nonprofit organizations (nPower, etc.).

Q: Zephan, are you completely nuts moving during a huge economic recession?
A: Quite possibly, but that doesn't change my decision. I’ve actually been considering this move for a couple years. My head agrees the timing is risky, but my heart knows now is the best time to make this life change. There are also several factors in the energy sector that make now a great time to establish energy industry expertise and establish a strong position to help before the issues become more critical.

Q: Why energy?
A: Name one thing that is more important to the long-term stability of our civilization and collective standard of living. (For the record, education is more important than energy.) Let me know what you think. I enjoy openly discussing this topic at any time with anyone who has any opinion to share.

Q: Why not do this on the side until right job comes?
A: Chicken and the egg. I can't immerse myself in one industry while working full time in a mostly unrelated field (while also raising a family and sleeping at least 4 hours a day). That said I am actively looking for jobs that relate to energy or education that also leverage my broad software industry experience.

Q: What's wrong with the WLDC UX Platform team?
A: Nothing. The WLDC team and UX Platform teams are both great! I have long had an objective to help people through new and existing technology. Testing UX controls for products that customers use to communicate with and share their lives is extremely cool. I also continue to learn tons of amazing stuff every day. The problem is this continued growth does not align as much as I'd like with my personal passion and life-long goals.

Q: Will you still be in Microsoft?
A: There are a few divisions in Microsoft that do align with my passion. I'm in contact with these teams and will definitely consider options within this great company. The most important part is making sure it is a win-win value for both Microsoft and myself. (Feel free to forward references and opportunities my way :-).)

So there it is… I’m moving forward! -Zephan