麻豆影院

Blain Howard figured he鈥檇 join the FBI, but he ultimately landed a 鈥榳ild hodgepodge of awesome鈥� with Microsoft鈥檚 Xbox

Blain Howard (Phil鈥�01)鈥攑ale-faced and pacing鈥攚as minutes from appearing on television in front of millions. Suddenly, Jimmy Fallon, host of听The Tonight Show, appeared by his side.听

Famous people. Live TV. Expectations. Tension. It was like a stressful dream, except it wasn鈥檛. It was real life and part of Howard鈥檚 real job at Microsoft. As the senior communication manager of Xbox, the company鈥檚 wildly popular video game brand, Howard was charged with launching a new version, Xbox One. It was 2013, and Howard had been on the job only a few months.听

鈥淚 had to demo the Xbox One with Jimmy and Will Forte (actor and comedian) live on-air,鈥� Howard says. 鈥淚t was also probably the most nervous I鈥檝e ever been. Being live on-air was intense knowing millions of people were watching. Yeah crazy.鈥�

A memorable moment came when Fallon offered Howard reassurance: 鈥淚鈥檒l never forget Jimmy coming up to me before the show and seeing I was nervous, looking at me, and saying, 鈥楧ude, it鈥檒l be great! Super fun! Can鈥檛 wait to have you on. Let鈥檚 just have a good time.鈥� He鈥檚 a class act.鈥�

It鈥檚 just one of many fun times Howard has had at Microsoft. He calls his job 鈥渁 wild hodgepodge of awesome鈥� with global travel to the biggest games-related exhibitions to show and promote games. 鈥淢icrosoft is simply amazing. From culture, to team, to the campus experience, it really is a dream job.鈥澨�

Howard鈥檚 career could have been much different. When he started at CU 麻豆影院 in 1996, he was thinking FBI. Growing up, he idolized his grandfather, a World War II vet and FBI agent whose stories left young Howard mesmerized. 鈥淗e was about the coolest person I could imagine, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps.鈥澨�

One path to the FBI was a law degree, and when Howard learned philosophy grads often scored well on the law school admissions test (LSAT), choosing a major became easy. His fondness for the discipline grew in high school, especially after reading听Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,听the popular 1974 novel chronicling a father-son cross-country ride full of philosophical ruminations on a Honda Super Hawk.听

鈥淧hilosophy seemed like a natural path.鈥� His mother and grandfather studied philosophy, too. 鈥淚t ran in the family.鈥�

Howard says the major has proven to be practical.听

鈥淧hilosophy helps me objectively assess activities and logically explain reasons we should or shouldn鈥檛 do something. To be able to look at something wholly and not have emotion tied to it is valued in business. And you can use the skills from logic in everyday life. People don鈥檛 realize it, but philosophy is everywhere: motivational books, TV, movies and games.鈥�

One game he recommends that explores how choices can affect others is called听Bioshock. 鈥淵ou can see how Ayn Rand (20th century philosopher and author) could have manifested in a new world,鈥� he says.

By his senior year, Howard says the prospect of taking the LSAT 鈥渇reaked鈥� him out so he opted for the business world instead. And while Howard readily admits games don鈥檛 solve major world issues, he does know they offer people an escape and perhaps even a small dose of happiness.听

鈥淚 find that truly amazing,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 like bringing people something that makes them smile.鈥澨�

Another part of Howard鈥檚 life reflects the moral slice of philosophy鈥攈ow humans can be better. Each week he volunteers at a soup kitchen and every paycheck he gives money to charities.听

鈥淚 feel so gratified that I鈥檓 able to help others more than I was before,鈥� he says. 鈥淓very day I take a moment and really step back to appreciate how good my life is, and how I worked hard to get here. That is something I would recommend鈥攖ake each thing you accomplish and celebrate it.鈥澨�

Another recommendation: Be kind.听

鈥淪preading positivity is much better than the opposite. Care for others, care about your world, assume best intent with people, and leave the world a better place than when you got here. Be kind. It鈥檚 such a small thing to say, but it makes such a big impact.鈥�

Like the impact of Fallon鈥檚 kindness and his words that Howard remembers so well: 鈥淒ude, it鈥檒l be great! Super fun! Let鈥檚 just have a good time.鈥�