Networking grad now working for Microsoft

Ryan White, a graduate of OTC’s networking program, was surprised and excited when he got a call this summer from the folks at Microsoft offering him a position with the well-known computer software company.

“I was kind of shocked. I didn’t expect it,” said White, who is the first OTC graduate and employee to be hired by Microsoft.

White, who worked full-time at the college after graduation, beat out hundreds of applicants from around the world to become one of a handful of new premier field engineers.

As a premier engineer, White installs SharePoint for companies and trains their employees in its use. SharePoint is a collaborative software that allows multiple users from remote sites to work together electronically on projects and programs.

White, who works out of the company’s Chicago office, said he went through a series of interviews with the company in order to get the position.

“I didn’t have any of my hopes up of going to work for one of the pinnacle companies, but after three interviews, they offered me the job,” he said.

White, who served six years in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician before enrolling at OTC in 2005, worked part-time in the College’s information technology department while a student while earning degrees in both networking and computer repair.

“Everything I did at OTC, from classes to working in IT, helped me. I was working on Microsoft technology at OTC and it solidified my spot with Microsoft because of that experience,” he said.

White’s work sends him across the country. In just a few months, he’s been to San Antonio, St. Louis, Seattle and Santa Ana, Calif.

“It’s a lot different traveling all the time, but I’ve always wanted to work for Microsoft,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time.”

Steve Koehler is coordinator of media relations at Ozarks Technical Community College.