The Ball Is In Your Court: On Career Pivots, Confidence, and Learning to Play New Games

Interview Day: “Do You Have a Gaming Background?”

Date: Friday, November 1^st, 2024

Time: 12:00 Noon EST (09:00 AM PST)

Location: Lansing, Michigan

When I received the invitation to interview with Microsoft, I was thrilled — and terrified.
I had applied for a Business Development Manager internship, but at the time, I had no idea which team or office I might be placed in.

From my perspective, I thought Microsoft would be hiring general Business Development Managers — I didn’t realize they would be matching candidates directly to different business groups and offices across the company. In preparation, I thought of what new products Microsoft is currently promoting, so in my preparation, I read up on everything there is to know about Microsoft Copilot. I had a full 14 page document, with comprehensive details on how Microsoft can take Copilot forward.

On interview day, I logged onto Microsoft Teams, expecting a conversation about general business development work.
What I didn’t know was that I had been specifically shortlisted for the Xbox team — and even more interesting, the interviewers didn’t know that we, the candidates, had no idea we were being matched to specific teams yet.

So there we were — both sides of the conversation walking into this moment without the full context, and yet, somehow, exactly where we were meant to be.

My first interviewer smiled warmly and asked:

“Do you have a gaming background?”

I swallowed.
I could have fumbled around the answer, tried to dress it up — but instead, I chose honesty.

“No, not really,” I admitted with a small laugh.
“Unless you count hours spent playing Solitaire, FreeCell, and Pinball on my mom’s old computer years ago.”

Inside, I was already preparing for rejection — assuming this would be a major strike against me.

But to my surprise, my interviewer smiled wider and said:

“Don’t worry. Most of us didn’t come from gaming backgrounds either. You’re going to learn a lot.”

It was a moment that shifted something deep inside me.
The ball wasn’t in their court.
The ball was in mine.

***

It still feels surreal to say out loud:

This summer, I’ll be joining Xbox — a global leader in gaming innovation — as a Business Development Manager intern through the Microsoft MBA Program.

But my journey here was anything but traditional.
I didn’t grow up gaming on consoles.
I didn’t dream of a career in gaming.
And when I applied to Microsoft for my MBA internship, I didn’t even realize I was being considered for Xbox specifically.

I had simply followed my instincts — trusting that whatever was meant for me would find me.
And somehow, it did.

Pivoting Into New Industries: Choosing Confidence Over Perfection

I grew up believing that success meant mastering every detail before stepping forward.
Like many women — and especially like many Black women — I was taught to over-qualify myself before daring to apply for an opportunity.

Meanwhile, others moved through the world differently.
There’s a saying that echoes through career advice circles:

“Apply to that job with the confidence of a mediocre white man.”

It’s blunt — but it captures a real truth.
Where some hesitate, others leap.

The truth is:

You don’t have to have it all figured out.
You don’t have to meet every single bullet point on a job description.
You don’t have to be perfect before you start.

You just have to be willing to play.

Nights we won’t remember with the people we won’t forget #AGSA2025 #GradSchoolDiaries 🤍 https://t.co/bnvNxQ6kTs pic.twitter.com/iajo4svvQo
— Ms. Manduwi 🌍🌎 (@NthandaManduwi) March 30, 2025

Unexpected Training Grounds: The Gaming Bar Story

There’s a bar: The Avenue Cafe in Lansing, Michigan, with a casual arcade and gaming area.
I didn’t plan to spend time there — but somehow, on random nights out with friends, we always somehow end up here.

At first, I just went along for the ride.
But as I picked up pool cues, threw skee balls, and played round after round of arcade games, I realized something unexpected:

I’m actually good at this.

Not because I had trained.
Not because I had memorized all the rules.
But because I was willing to step up, figure it out, and take the shot.

Sometimes you don’t realize you’re being prepared for something bigger until you’re already in motion.

Learning to Play New Games

Stepping into gaming — professionally — feels a lot like those nights at the arcade.
It’s unfamiliar.
It’s a little intimidating.
And it’s exhilarating.

But the deeper lesson isn’t just about gaming.
It’s about life.

You don’t have to have played every game to be ready for the next one.
You don’t have to have been born into an industry to make an impact there.
You don’t have to wait for permission to pursue something new.

You just have to step up, trust your instincts, and play.

As I prepare to begin this new chapter at Xbox, I’m carrying that spirit with me — boldness, curiosity, and the deep belief that sometimes the ball is already in your court.

You just have to trust yourself to take the shot.

Kindly,

Ntha