Hi All

We had a very special experience yesterday on our Microsoft field trip. It was such a touching and magical day for all the young women who attended. Their teacher reported today that the girls were so excited all the way back to school and couldn't stop talking about their experience and even went in front of their classes to tell how this experience changed their perception of their futures. When they arrived back at school this morning all the energy from yesterday we still going and the girls can't wait for more IGNITE events. I guess that does say a lot about how this all works. And we still get to read the survey comments from the girls to hear it directly from them. It was a terrific day, full of unforgettable moments. I have many people to thank .

We want to thank the wonderful women who made our day so special. Starting at our tour of the Home of the Future, We were welcomed by Lisa Williams by the front desk. I want to give a special thank you to Jenen, who organizes events for the Home and she really set the stage for a welcoming tour. Thank you for making us feel so special. I want to thank our incredible tour guide Janet, Program Manager, Strategic Prototyping, she did such a fantastic job with the girls, really connecting and engaging them in the technology, and you could tell how much she wanted the girls to enjoy and learn from this experience. Thank you Janet for making this such a captivating experience.

WE then went to our discussion lunch with our awesome presenters. I want to welcome all of our new volunteers to IGNITE . It seemed that you all had done this many time over, in your manner with the young women really engaging and connecting with them. Of course Betsy Norton-Middaugh, Program Manager, started us off, and she has been doing these events since our first, back many years ago. And always great, thank you Betsy!! and welcome to our new volunteers, Brooke Schmider, Diversity Program Manager, Sara Nagy, Account Manager, and Natasha Galushka, Dev@windows live, a real programmer!! Thank you all for your passion in speaking with the girls. They really were so taken with all of you and your knowledge and depth of vision for them and their futures. WE could not ask for more, and we are so lucky to have you all. Thank you so much!!

Thank you to Mylene Padolina for setting up the rooms for us. Thank you to Janice Hunter for ordering our food, and coming to the event to make sure we have what we need!

I want to thank our wonderful teacher Mr. Stan White from Ingraham HS. He is a beloved teacher by all of his students and we are so lucky to have him. He runs the Information Technology Academy and that is lucky too. Thank you to Cathy Hagood our Career Center Specialist from Hale H.S. Thank you Cathy for doing such a great job for IGNITE year after year It is hard work and we always have our challenges and without these wonderful staff out at the schools, the program could not run, So we own them a big debt of thanks.

It was such a great way to start our field trips this year, on an exciting note, and such an energizing day. Thank you all for making this possible for so many wonderful young women who really are inspired by meeting all of you.

Here are the girls comments from the survey forms.

• I learned that I don't have to be as technical as I thought and now my future looks bright!
• I loved seeing the house of the future, and its really cool to think that in the future I could have a house like that.
• The panel was very open and honest. I really felt hope about my future. Also I learned that there are a lot of different kinds of jobs in Microsoft.
• I liked having a chance to talk to the women from Microsoft. I liked hearing about the broad range of careers in Microsoft. I thought it was interesting to see how much these women enjoyed their jobs and careers.
• Seeing the smart home and being able to get advice, was my favorite part.
• I learned that I don't need to be a computer geek to work here at Microsoft.
• Learning what kind of different jobs there are within technology. These women's experiences and how much they enjoy their jobs and the variety of jobs within Microsoft was the best part.
• I really liked seeing the House of the Future and I also have really enjoyed learning about these women's jobs.
• The best part about my first time experience of Microsoft , I learned a lot. I loved how the career women gave us the encouragement to go for a technical career. I was really looking forward to me answers and they answered all.
• The most interesting thing I heard today was that there are many ways to work at Microsoft. I am excited about learning more about technical degrees.
• What I liked about today's event is knowing more about Microsoft and how people can get all sorts of positions here not necessarily just computer science degrees. I liked learning that Microsoft is recruiting more women into the company.
• I loved seeing the Future home. I look forward to more Ignite events.
• I like how your career supports you, in your health, school and it welcomes anyone who is dedicated to who and what they would become, I am interested in working at Microsoft in my future.
• I liked the future home and I loved talking to the women and asking questions. What we did today was perfect and I wouldn't change anything at all.
• I learned that there are different careers at Microsoft and they talked about that. Ya all did everything wonderful. I look forward to doing a job shadow to see how a Microsoft woman does her job.
• I really liked the discussion that we had. I never thought about considering a technical degree but now its on the top of my list. I want to major in technology and Journalism. I really didn't know that people who major in journalism can work in technology. I really liked this trip a lot :)
• I liked learning about all the positions. Also about ways to get a job here. This field trip really helped me. It makes me want to work here. The most interesting thing I learned today was about all the job opportunities. It was so great.
• I really liked the information given to us because I am really interested in working in Microsoft. I am really glad I came. The home was amazing. One of the ladies was talking about Marketing and I am really interested so I really enjoyed this trip. I think the event was perfect, and I didn't want it to be over. This is going to be my future job :)
• I loved the Home of the Future tour. Its very high tech and at first it didn't seem to be realistic. Very interesting!! I was very excited to learn about the legal dept. Can't wait to do a job shadow!!
• I liked looking at the House of the Future. Also being able to ask people questions.
• I liked how the speakers were giving their own opinion and telling us what Microsoft resources to work here.
• I liked seeing the Home of the Future. I enjoyed listening to the panel. It was interesting to more knowing only 25 percent of employees are women. Also seeing how enthusiastic the women are about their careers.
• I really liked the Future Home. I learned that there are so many different departments in Microsoft and lots of choices for work.
• I loved seeing the Microsoft home of the future. Everything was great :)
• I liked seeing the HOme of the Future! Seeing what kind of things technology is capable of. What Different jobs the women thought they would have and ended here at Microsoft was very interesting.
• The smart house, it inspired a lot of questions and made me think.
• I learned a lot about what women do in Microsoft and that not all of them are very technical. Seeing the house was also interesting to see what they can create. There are many different job descriptions ..
• I liked being able to see the House of the Future because it was cool seeing a house with technology. I also liked being able to hear the women who work at Microsoft. I think the event was great.
• I liked talking to the women because I learned a lot today and the opportunities and careers that Microsoft has. It's very interesting, I learned about more jobs in technology.
• I really enjoyed the tour around the futures home and I thought that was really cool. I enjoyed learning about the new technology the company is coming up with.
• I learned about so many different careers that I didn't know about. I loved meeting the women who work at Microsoft and how much they like their jobs. It was great, I loved the attitude and all the positive energy from the ladies.
• I liked the house of the future. I loved the conversations we had with the women from MIcrosoft.
• I loved seeing the house of the future and also talking with the women in lunch. How much schooling you must have to go work for Microsoft, and I wasn't really thinking about going to college, and now I will reconsider it.
• Talking with the women was nice. It gave me more courage. It was great and I really liked the whole thing. It was a great opportunity.
• What I liked was their willingness to answer our questions. I liked the house too. I am excited about going to work for Microsoft. It was a perfect day.
• I liked when we tour the house. Also what I heard was very interesting, I want to do more IGNITE events.
• What I liked best about today was talking to the women about the work they do and how they help us.
• It was a perfect day.
• The talk with the panel was great.
• I liked all of the information that the women provided about the opportunties that are available. There are only 25 percent women in the MIcrosoft workforce.
• I really liked the tour of the house of the future. I also thought it was really nice that these women would take time to eat and supply us with food, I think they told us a lot about their jobs and made me more interested in working with technology. I think they gave us good details and made it so that we can look up the opportunities online.
• I loved the home of the Future tour. It was so eve-opening, I also loved the chance we had to talk to Microsoft women very informing.
• I really liked how they looked 5 to 10 years into the future and showed how a home would look and how technology is going to be a big part of everyday life. I could work at Microsoft doing different kinds of studies like business.
• I enjoyed talking to women on the panel who were excited and passionate about their careers and were willing to talk honestly and openly with our group.
• I enjoyed seeing the house of the future, and it was also very interesting to hear about the variety of backgrounds among the Microsoft women.
• I liked the passion the women shared about their jobs. I learned how many positions are available at Microsoft that are not solely technical.
• I liked the Microsoft home a lot! I was really amazed by the design and ideas the people came up with. I also really enjoyed listening to the panel of women answer their questions.
• This event was more than I expected. I don't think there really needs to be any improvements.
• Learning about how people work in Microsoft and the benefits of it all. I learned what kind of degree would help me and how I can prepare to work in this company.
• I really loved the tour of the house because i got to see current Microsoft projects and I understand better what I might be able to do.
• One of the things I loved today about the event was the women sharing their stories. I loved being able to ask questions.

Thank you all for making this event possible
Sincerely,
Cathi