skip to main content
David Obando

David Obando

Microsoft

Career Roadmap

David's work combines: Engineering, Technology, and Being Creative

See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.

Take Roadmap Quiz

Day In The Life

Senior Software Engineer

I create software that powers the Internet.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Software Quality Assurance Analysts & Testers:

High School

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life took a while to figure out

  • 1.

    I took interest in technology as I wanted to understand how my Nintendo worked!

  • 2.

    Learned how to do very basic programming in my family's computer.

  • 3.

    Studied and became capable of writing more complex software.

  • 4.

    Worked to meet people in the industry until I landed an internship.

  • 5.

    Was able to show my first employer I was a hard worker and able to constantly learn.

  • 6.

    Dreamed big and decided I wanted to join a top-tier technology company, and Microsoft took me in.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Parents:

    When I was 10 I told my dad I wanted to work in robotics. He thought I was being a silly monkey, how dare I say I'd invent technology? I never held this against him, and he was surprised when in fact I was able to fulfill my dreams and became who I am.

  • How I responded:

    I was inspired by the scientists who dared to think big despite society telling them they were wrong or unfit. Knowledge and technology ended up being the biggest democratizing force we've ever seen. Anyone, in any place on Earth, can be the next big scientist or inventor. Skin color, race, religion, sexual orientation, all of them don't matter. Understand that the people around you might not know that, be kind to them, but continue dreaming and surprise them with your brightness. It's worth it.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

Click to expand

  • My mother was very ill when I was growing up and my dad's salary could barely cover for food, housing and her medicine. Despite that, we did our best to always stay in school. Financial problems are only temporary, just like everything else in life.