Things fall into place when you plan for it

Moving to Canada has always been a goal of mine. Most of my dad’s family immigrated here from the Philippines in the late 1970’s. My grandmother came over with most of my aunts and uncles at the time, but my dad, who was over 21, was unable to move due to the age limit requirement. At a young age, he said goodbye to his family, lived in the Philippines until he could come to Canada on his own one day.

He had the intention of immigrating to Canada, but over the years it became less attainable as he started working in Saudi Arabia and caring for his own family. While I was growing up, his goal of moving to Canada eventually became mine. My mom being a teacher had perfectly laid out the path for me – get a degree, get a great job and bring my family to Canada became a personal mission.

I applied to Microsoft when my visa was approved in 2007. I was browsing the Microsoft Careers page and came across the perfect position for me – “Technical Support Manager” in Winnipeg, Manitoba – where my dad’s family lives. It was the exact role and the exact title as the position I was working in the Philippines. It was serendipitous and applying for the job was a no-brainer.

I immigrated to Canada in 2007 when I was 27 years old. I came with two suitcases of clothes and lived in my uncle’s basement. The morning after I landed, I received my job offer at Microsoft. It’s fair to say that my life in Canada started at the same time as my life at Microsoft. Technically speaking, I grew up here.

Some might call the position and landing the job luck, but if I didn’t have the experience, the opportunity wouldn’t have been open to me. Seneca, a famous philosopher once said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Luck doesn’t just happen. You need to prepare for something, you need to work for something, and then when the opportunity happens, it happens.