So I got a job offer from Microsoft...

Well, not exactly, more like a notification of opportunity - I was contacted by a certain gentleman from the Microsoft Macintosh [bet you never imagined seeing these 2 names connected like that] Business Unit. I'm a part of Apple's Developer Connection [an ADC student developer] and apparently when they asked me to fill out my skills on their website they made me a resume that caught the attention of Microsoft (Thanks Apple! :-P).

The title of the position -> Software Development Engineer in Test. How does that relate to what I'm currently doing? Well, aside from my Pro seminar in New Media Studies I am taking a Human Computer Interaction class - Usability Engineering. I LOVE that class, the whole idea of getting involved in the creation of intuitive user interfaces just seems like something I would love to be more involved with for a long time to come. It helps that I have a few friends who are already in that field too.

I've got much respect for both Apple and Microsoft, each company has pulled off quite a bit. This post is supposed to focus on the skills required for positions that interest me so let's focus on that side of things for a bit.

This role [at Microsoft] would consist of the following key responsibilities:

• Working on a feature crew with your program manager and developer counterparts, providing direct input on the quality and testability of feature specs and design documents
• Creating test plans and all test collateral (test cases, test files, etc) for features
• Creating and maintaining test automation
• Owning and communicating the status and quality of your assigned features
• Gathering and responding to customer input on your assigned features

Requirements:

• strong communication and organizational skills
• test planning
• writing and maintaining automation scripts that yield measurable results
• passion for the customer and technology
• a self-critical and accountable work approach
• project management
• demonstrated ability to function autonomously and be successful in the face of rapid change
• close communication with Development and Program Management counterparts.

A BS degree in Computer Science or related field is preferred. Experience with Microsoft Office products, Mac OS X, AppleScript, Visual Basic, and white box testing techniques would be a plus.

So what other positions could I possibly strive to reach in the future (with my current focus on New Media)? I suppose I could strive to become a "Manager of New Media." The skills required for that kind of a position go sort of like so:

• At least 3 years experience in web(not print) design and graphics
• At least 2 years experience withe-commerce web sites
• Expertise in web standards,semantics, accessibility, usability, browser limitations
• Ability to hand code XHTML, CSS(expert) (Use of WYSIWYG tool is acceptable but not needed)
• PHP (beginner to intermediate level)
• Flash and ActionScript(intermediate to expert level)
• Experience designing subscriber-basedemails and understanding their challenges
• Optimization of web graphics(expert)
• High level of proficiency in Photoshop, Fireworks, and/or Illustrator
• Experience integrating front-end web content with back-end code such as PHP or ASP
• Preference will be given to candidates who have:
• Experience with Smarty templates
• Familiarity with InDesign
• Familiarity with audio/video editing and output for various media
• Familiarity with content management systems and blogs
• Experience with intranet designand management
• Familiarity with AJAX / DOM Scripting / Unobtrusive Javascript(intermediate level)
• Familiarity with MySQL (beginner level)
• Familiarity with version control
• Comfort working in both Mac and PC environments
• Familiarity with QA processes
• Familiarity with Zimbra
• Experience with X-Cart
• Experience working with social networking sites and web communities\

In case you're wondering ... yes, these are just the "essentials" for that sort of a job, looking at a "New Media guru" (as opposed to a manager position) the list shortens to:

• Bachelors degree from accredited university
• Experience in a digital design or production capacity for an online marketing or related digital communications shop
• A thorough understanding of various online marketing techniques
• The ability to handle multiple projects concurrently
• Intermediate to expert knowledge of Flash, Fireworks, Photoshop, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.
• Thorough understanding of at least two of the following: HTML, Cold Fusion, PHP, .NET
• Knowledge of CSS and XML techniques and programming a plus
• Experience with SEO, Online Marketing, Social Media, Online PR (traditional and citizen driven), eLearning
• Online portfolio that demonstrates creative design and execution skills across media - good to know, already working on one...

Looking above, that's a huge list of bulletpoints (pointing to all sorts of different skills). First I need to nail down exactly where I am going in my future career because that Usability Engineering class is really making me consider that direction but then there are still plenty of skills I need to brush up on and a few that I have yet to accquire.