In this series of interviews, GALA members share their insights on the pursuit of globalization and localization brilliance. Today’s GALA Champion is: Soren Eberhardt, Global Site Manager at Microsoft Sign up here for our newsletter on globalization and localization matters. I am responsible for the international versions of web pages marketing Microsoft 365 products for small and medium businesses as well as Microsoft Teams pages. After I had proofread many friends' Master's theses, a friend of mine recommended me for a job where I had to copyedit German translations of printed English software documentation. Eventually I began to translate myself, then localize software strings, and so on... There are so many reasons to be a GALA member. Just two: GALA offers top-notch education on industry topics and great networking opportunities, for my role especially in various SIG meetings. I love the GALA conferences! I have experienced them as an attendee, as a speaker and finally as a member of the conference program committee. The latter has made me understand even better how much great work goes into them. Why join GALA? Take a look at the member benefits. Releasing the first versions of a major IT product for many languages when working on Microsoft's first Language Interface Packs: I helped bring Windows to the world in languages like Maori, Quechua or Swahili. Releasing the first version of Microsoft Teams for 18 languages Always look for ways to use your strengths in a job! Especially for introverts (like me): practice small talk outside of networking events. Practice with your Uber driver, the barista in the coffee-shop, the cashier in the supermarket. Everywhere. In people, when traveling, on walks through the neighborhood, when staring at the ocean, in books, online... If I didn't work in the language industry (and money wasn't a factor), I would write books - both fiction and non-fiction (for non-fiction I would probably write about languages and localization, though). Fun fact: Together with friends I created an Internet soap opera, with a weekly new episode, in 2000. I also wrote travel blogs, before the term blog was even being used. We’re always on the lookout for informative, useful and well-researched content relative to our industry. Write to us.