FROM NCC TO MICROSOFT IN REAL TIME
Next time Microsoft sends you a message asking you to download the latest updates, you could be reaping the benefits of the hard work of one of NCC's own. Liang Zhang, a former computer science student, is now a software design engineer at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Wash.
It's been a long road for Zhang, a Chinese immigrant who came to California as an exchange student while still in high school. Not speaking English, Zhang had to wrestle with learning a new language as well as adjusting to a very different culture.
After graduating high school, Zhang wanted to continue his studies in the United States. A friend of the family told him about NCC's international program. After obtaining his student visa, Zhang traveled across the country to begin taking classes here.
EAST COAST AMERICA
"Attending NCC gave me the chance to get a feeling for different subjects without having to make a commitment right away," Zhang said. When he decided on computer science, he considered himself very lucky to be able to make that choice. "Maybe only one out of 200 students can study computer science in China," he says.
Coming to Northampton was a totally different experience for Zhang, who lived on campus. He had to learn to be independent far from home, get to know new people and learn his way around an unfamiliar place. But the hard-working student rose to the task. "I like challenges," he said. Then, after two years at NCC, Zhang transferred to the University of Illinois for its excellent, but very hard computer science program, and encountered some brand new challenges.
"There was a lot of homework to do all the time," Zhang said. "I didn't have a chance
to enjoy life." But his hard work paid off. He earned a bachelor of science in computer science and got his first job offer before he even graduated.
THE HOUSE THAT GATES BUILT
Going to work for Microsoft brought a whole new set of challenges. "There is no professor around to tell you what you need to do," Zhang recalls. But as always, Zhang was determined to succeed.
"Working for Microsoft is a priceless experience," he says. "You have to work hard, and you have to work smart. You don't want to be a burden to anyone, and you don't want to go and ask people random questions about things. Sometimes when you do research, you can find answers yourself. You have to have the sense to know when to ask and when not to ask."
Zhang feels a strong dedication to his duties at Microsoft. After all, Microsoft Office has 400 million users worldwide. "It is such a responsibility," Zhang said.
BACK HOME – IF BRIEFLY
Zhang still has friends in this area from his NCC days, and still keeps in touch with faculty and staff. On a recent visit to this side of the USA, he spent real time catching up with some Microsoft users who are also faculty and staff: Bill Doney, Dr. Manuel Gonzalez, Mary Hall, Sharon Hendricksen, Ken Krauss, Mardi McGuire-Closson, and Alex Rolon. Like many NCC alums, he says he will never forget how helpful the people at the College were to him.
On his campus visit he had a hard time finding a parking spot. Some things don’t change at the speed of a software version. But Zhang was happy that enrollment is up and more students are able to take advantage of all that NCC has to offer. "It's a good thing," he said.
-- Katherine Noll
