Getting to know datacenter employees: Elvis Majaliwa

Microsoft’s success depends on our people. We are proud to introduce some of the talented folks in your community who work in our global datacenters. Discover what inspired them to pursue a career in the tech industry, the different pathways they pursued, and what a day in the life of a datacenter employee looks like.

Introducing Elvis Shabani Majaliwa

Datacenter Technician

Des Moines, Iowa

Employee since July 2024

Early days

Elvis was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and immigrated to the United States with his family. From a young age, he has been deeply intrigued by technology. Upon arriving in the United States, a professor at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) encouraged him to explore the field of cybersecurity. This opportunity allowed Elvis to acquire theoretical knowledge about hardware and software. Courses in Windows Server and Azure Cloud Services piqued his interest and became his favorites, and he aspired to work in a role where he could enhance these skills and grow professionally.

The path to technology

Before finishing his degree, a professor introduced Elvis to the Microsoft Datacenter Academy path at DMACC, which helped him secure an internship at Microsoft. He interned there for 7 months before obtaining a full-time employee position in July 2024. Throughout this period, Microsoft’s employees supported him in gaining more skills and knowledge. Elvis came to see Microsoft as more than just a job; it felt like a family to him. He learned a lot about collaboration and teamwork, enhancing his IT career skills. Elvis remarks, “I can genuinely say that being introduced to Microsoft made my American dream come true.”

Superpowers

One of Elvis’s superpowers is that he learns quickly, and he has a strong curiosity about new things. Also, Elvis is sociable, outgoing, and friendly. He enjoys making new friends, which helps him learn about different cultures and discover new social skills.

A day in the life

Elvis typically starts his day by hitting the gym for an hour before heading to work. After the morning meeting at work, he’s often assigned service tickets or general investigations to handle throughout the day, which is his favorite part. He enjoys challenging himself by learning something new every day while working at Microsoft. He is part of an excellent team at Microsoft, always ready to help and ensure everyone gains more skills and knowledge during the day. For Elvis, troubleshooting hardware and fixing servers feels like bringing something back to life. Elvis says, “That’s why I’m dedicated—because I love what I do.”

Favorite childhood food

Fufu (cassava, yams, plantains) with goat meat

Elvis’s mom usually prepared fufu for him when he was a kid and explained to him that eating it would make him strong for the entire day. Now, it also serves to connect him with his cultural heritage and family traditions. It’s a healthy recipe that provides essential nutrients such as carbohydrates for energy, fiber for digestive health, and various vitamins including vitamin C.

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