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Leaving Microsoft to Change the World

16th June 2008, Atlanta

Lisa recently finished reading a book called “Leaving Microsoft to Change the World” by John Wood and told me that it was one book I HAD to read. I have also finished reading the book and I am genuinely inspired to make a contribution. The world is full of people who needs are disadvantaged and will continue to live in poverty due to lack of education, ever since I was young my parents taught me that the way out of oppression and poverty was through education. Schooling and academic success was demanded from us at the time, I do not regret all the time I used to study to obtain my two degrees, there has been no regrets, even though I get paid the same amount as someone with one degree. If you look at it from a short term point of view it’s easy to see that the second degree may have been a waste of time however in the long run being able to understand the world in business and engineering terms will definitely help me further in my career also manage my personal finances.
Many of us do not use much of what has been taught in university but education is a process that gives you the basic tools to problem solve and think. These skills are critical and being able to think in systematic terms and break problems down to basic modules.

My degrees have taken me all around Australia, Vietnam and around the US. It has provided with opportunities to further my education in other areas and also provided the financial benefits that have enabled me to travel many places around the world. It is a skill that keeps on giving. I can’t imagine a life without it.

I think that if more people were educated in Asia and other poorer parts of the world the living standards in those countries would improve. It might mean that the richer countries will need to share a bit more of their wealth, but even distribution of wealth is not always a bad thing. People in the developed countries may need to live with less and learn to be happier with less material possession. Maybe this will help people that live in developed world to appreciate life more and there would be less distractions.

Having been surrounded by Asian girls in High School that did not always have education as one of their main priorities in life made me said, they did not dare to aim high. And I would one day like to offer tutoring and mentoring services to these kids so that they can dare to dream more and not be enticed by the coolness of selling drugs and going towards unproductive and destructive lifestyle.

I will aim to get back to Australia and promote room to read to my friends the people I know to raise funds for more schools in Vietnam and education opportunities for those that want to learn. I keep saying that I want to change the world but I am waiting for something significant to happen whereas I should be working towards. I have been distracted by boys, a drive for possessions and career and have forgotten the dream to make a difference to the world.

Must make a difference and be the change I wish to see in the world.