The only thing louder than the music was the cupcakes. On Thursday, June 6, the halls of Microsoft’s NERD Center were zapped with the energy of over 80  young people, gathered together to laud each other’s accomplishments, consume neon frosted baked  goods and prove to anyone watching that the next generation has community on top [...]

Since 2009 Mass Innovation Nights (MIN) has served as a platform for local innovators to showcase their latest products. Held each month at various locations, MIN has helped launch more than 500 new products and has helped companies secure over $600 million in funding. On the evening June 10, Microsoft New England welcomed the 51st [...]

WomenLEAD, Inc., an organization dedicated to accelerating women’s advancement as leaders, has recognized Jennifer Chayes, Distinguished Scientist and Managing Director of Microsoft Research New England, as a “Woman Who Leads in Technology.” A WomenLEAD blog post announcing the leadership award cites Jennifer’s outstanding professional accomplishments, including cutting-edge research on how the Internet works, author of [...]

The 43rd annual Boston Pride Parade, one of the largest in the country, wound its way through the streets of Boston on Saturday, June 8. Microsoft was among the more than 230 groups and 15,000 people that marched in the parade to show support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Matt Feczko, [...]

General Assembly, a network of campuses (one right here in Cambridge) that provide individuals with opportunities and education in business, technology, and design, is running a contest with such awesome prizes that we had to share. What are the prizes?  Two tickets to a Red Sox Game? Check. Opportunity to meet Meghan Ryan, Boston Red [...]

Forty college students will arrive at Microsoft New England this week for a second summer Foundry program. After a successful pilot program last year, Microsoft will welcome nearly double the number of students, all eager to improve upon their software development skills and have an unbelievable time while doing so. The NERD center will become [...]

The NERD center was transformed into a theater on May 18th as the 16th annual Do It Your Damn Self!! (DIYDS!!) National Youth Video and Film Festival held its Premier Festival Screening. The Teen Media Program at the Community Art Center in Cambridge produces the festival, the longest running youth-oriented film festival in the country. [...]

On May 15 a group of six Microsoft New England employees donated their time and energy at Cradles to Crayons (C2C) in Brighton as part of NERD’s Day of Caring series. Dubbed by the employees as one of their favorite volunteer sites, Cradles to Crayons provides essential items, such as clothes, shoes, toys, books, arts and [...]

Hacking is often its own reward. You fixed a problem. You made life easier. You found a way to save time. Or money. Or both. You outsmarted everyone else. You found a solution when no one else could. Good job, you. Pat yourself on the back. But even if it is its own reward, more [...]

Debi Mishra, Engineering Manager & Site Leader – SQL IS Boston What do you like best about working at Microsoft? I’ve worked at Microsoft for 16+ years and have left and returned in between for a start-up that I had founded. Microsoft gives you a really big canvas to get your act onto the world [...]