This series highlights Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone and have recently graduated from university. Each blog features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassadors community, and what they’re up to now.
Today we’d like to introduce Daniel Gomez Jaramillo, who is from Colombia and just completed his Systems Engineering studies at the University of Cuenca in Ecuador.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
When you became a Student Ambassador in 2018, did you have any specific goals you wanted to reach, like attain a skill or work on a particular quality? What were they, and did being a Student Ambassador help you achieve them? How has being in the community impacted you in general?
I had no clear goals at the time, however, I decided to apply to become a Student Ambassador with the aim of acquiring new knowledge and being able to share it with my local community. I also wanted to meet other members so that I could learn from them because back then I was and always will remain passionate about technology. I was accepted into this wonderful community, and from that moment on, my life changed radically in every way, at the student, professional, and personal levels.
The program has helped me a lot in different ways. I was able to acquire new knowledge about Microsoft Azure and web application development with .NET. As time went on, I was able to share that acquired knowledge with others through tutorial articles, online sessions, in-person workshops, and at special events of Microsoft and Student Ambassadors as well.
Thanks to the events, I have been able to improve my skills when making a presentation, and the quality of my writing. In the professional field, this has helped me a lot, as I have received job offers as a result of being in the program. One was to work in the field of software development and content dissemination at RIGANTI, a company in the Czech Republic responsible for providing a framework on .NET for web application development. To this day, I am still working with them as a part-time employee.
I was able to meet amazing people from all over the world and have been able to form strong friendships that I am sure will be for life.
What were some of the accomplishments that you're proudest of and why?
Talking about a single achievement within the program is impossible. Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors has been like my second career, full of learning and amazing experiences. Anyway, here I can mention those I will never forget:
I organized the Virtual Summit of the Microsoft Communities of Ecuador in 2020 with other Student Ambassadors, Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs), and others, including Pablo Veramendi, the Student Ambassador Global Program Director. Around 2000 people from all over Latin America participated in the event, where we were able to exchange knowledge about Microsoft's different technologies through 37 hours of live streaming spread over 3 days. There were 43 virtual sessions in total, and I was able to present several technology sessions about Azure and .NET.
In 2021, I organized HackLatam 2021, a virtual hackathon, again with Student Ambassadors, Microsoft employees, and MVPs from all over Latin America. About 350 students from different countries were able to generate projects with Microsoft technology solutions to contribute to the education sector.
An additional event that I will mention is Microsoft Ignite of 2020, where I was invited as a Student Ambassador to present a session to around 350 people in my native language for Spanish speakers.
What do you have planned after graduation? What’s next for you?
In addition to my work with Riganti, I am working at a medical specialty center in Ecuador as a Software Engineer managing the system that supports the place.
In about a year, I plan to study my masters’ degree, as I’m also very passionate about the research area. Finally, in the middle future, I would love to form a space or a kind of foundation so that people from vulnerable sectors can acquire new knowledge and generate technological solutions.
If you could redo your time in the Student Ambassador community, is there anything you would have done differently?
I don't think I'd change anything. Everything I have lived through--the experiences, the process of self-discovery, learning and sharing with others, has allowed me to be the person I am today. I am very grateful to Microsoft for everything they have done for me as a Student Ambassador, and I will be grateful forever, as they allowed me to achieve amazing things, develop my potential, and above all, allow me to meet amazing people whom I consider my true friends.
If you were to describe the community to a student who is considering joining, what would you say to convince them to join?
Do you want your life to change radically in all aspects? The Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors program is for you! In addition to having the opportunity to be associated with one of the most important technology companies on the planet, you can acquire new knowledge with a myriad of benefits, participate as a community according to your interests, and meet wonderful people from all over the world.
And what advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors?
You all have the ability to accomplish amazing things, and thanks to your passion for technology, today you are part of this wonderful program. When you start, it's normal to have doubts or want to know more about something in particular, so you can always ask another Student Ambassador for help for whatever you need, or you can also contact the Community Program Managers. Take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way. At first it can be a little scary to meet many people, but this community is amazing, and everyone is willing to help others. Feel free to propose initiatives, and events. Other Student Ambassadors will help you on your way.
Also, discover the things that you are passionate about within the community and develop your potential. Connect with others, and we'll achieve amazing things among all. All the energy you share will always come back to you. Student Ambassadors for life!
Do you have a motto in life, a guiding principle that drives you?
Do what you love! For me, success is doing what you want to do, with the people you want to be with. I was able to learn this as a Student Ambassador, and I will apply it forever.
Lastly, on a lighter note, can you share a random fun fact about yourself that few people are aware of?
I use PowerPoint for everything--to make posters, rollup banners, image editing, video materials, and much more.
Thank you, Daniel, and good luck to you in all your future endeavors!