Green River Alum Lands OPT Job at Microsoft
By Lansing Bryan, Web and Social Media Specialist , May 7, 2019
Andile Mpofu transferred from Green River College to North Park University in Chicago where she graduated with a degree in Economics in December 2018.
Andile chose to come back to the Seattle area to search for her Optional Practical Training (OPT) opportunity because it felt like home. She applied to several companies, but it was Microsoft that recognized her talent.
"I am working in the Procurement department doing privacy and security," said Andile. "Everything that I have done at Green River College and North Park prepared me for this position."
Andile believes that it was not only her business degree but also the work experience that she gained at Green River working at the IP front desk reception that helped her to get this highly competitive internship.
Andile is from Zimbabwe and she came to Green River in 2013. She was sponsored by Champion Dream Builders. Her goal has always been to give back to this organization and other non-profits that give to education for youth in Africa.
Andile is so happy that Microsoft is big on giving back too. She was able to list a non-profit of her choice and every hour that she works, a dollar goes to this non-profit. She chose Champion Dream Builders."It's only right. They helped me kick start my education at Green River College," she said.
While at Green River, Andile was also the recipient of a Foundation scholarship. She was featured as one of the speakers at the Scholarship Banquet. During her speech, she talked about her desire to give back and help the children in her country get an education, but in order to do that, she needed to succeed herself. In 2016, Andile was crowned Miss Zimbabwe USA and Miss Africa Washington. This gave her a platform from which she could talk about the education system in her country and start to make a difference.
Andile is definitely on track to fulfilling all her dreams. She will be working for Microsoft until February 2020.
