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College Of The Canyons Student Succeeds In Microsoft

Stephen Minarsch attended College of the Canyons in 1999 as he began taking basic general education classes that led him to finding a career in Microsoft.

From attending COC, Minarsch transferred to the College of Creative Studies in 2000 located in Detroit and moved on to obtained his Masters degree at the University of Washington in 2011.

Fifteen years later, Minarsch is working as a hardware industrial designer for tech-titan Microsoft and is now a Seattle resident playing a critical role as he has designed the new fitness product called “Microsoft Band” from start to finish.


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“We designed this as something to wear on your other wrist,” Minarsch said. “It’s meant to be worn 24 hours a day, and keep you from having your head buried in your phone all day.”

A fully charged band lasts up to 48 hours, and tracks everything from stress and UV exposure to texts and email. The band went on sale in the United States, sold in limited quantities this past October.

According to the company’s website, the Microsoft Band “helps you achieve your wellness goals by tracking your heart rate, steps, calorie burn and sleep quality.”

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Although Minarsch’s time at COC was limited the Seattle based tech designer credits some of his professors for influencing his transition.

“I was just there figuring out what the heck to do with my life,” Minarsch said. “I was naïve, looking for schools and I just knew I was good at drawing. Still, there were a few professors who really helped me along with math, put it into terms that I could understand.”

COC Instructor Joe Gerda shared his experience having Minarsch as a student in his class as he noticed how he stood out by involving himself with other students.

“I remember Steven as a hard-working, bright student who worked really well with his classmates,” Gerda said. “I was very impressed with his drawing abilities, persistence and gentle sense of humor.”

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College Of The Canyons Student Succeeds In Microsoft

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