Melinda French Gates says she took a job at a 'little company' called Microsoft after her hiring manager at IBM told her to go for it

Melinda French Gates has reflected on her early career choices during an interview with LinkedIn News. Initially offered a role at IBM after two summer internships, she was convinced to pursue an opportunity at Microsoft by her IBM hiring manager, who encouraged her to take the offer if it came through. French Gates joined Microsoft as a product manager in 1987, a decision that significantly shaped her career and personal life, leading to her meeting Bill Gates.

"My hiring manager at IBM, a female, said to me, 'Okay, are you ready to accept the job offer?'... If they give you an offer, you should take it."

"This is gonna be a bit scary. I didn't know anybody in Seattle. It was moving to the West Coast, but I was so excited about what they were doing."

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