Former Microsoft director Shawn Mrzena has taken on construction, plumbing and outdoor work after leaving the company in July 2026, ending a 25-year career at the technology company.

Key Takeaways

  • Mrzena accepted a voluntary exit offer and marked 90 days outside corporate life in a LinkedIn post.
  • He plans to decide on his next move in 2027, with options including learning a trade or starting a business.

Microsoft director explores hands-on work

Mrzena described raising beams as a construction worker, fixing plumbing fittings beneath a trailer and working with paint, plastic and metal as a fabrication technician. He has also designed outdoor gear and guided fly fishing trips.

In a LinkedIn post, he said the experiences had helped him rediscover the satisfaction of working with his hands. “Corporate life taught me a lot. These last 90 days taught me even more,” he wrote.

A 25-year career and a voluntary exit

At Microsoft, Mrzena held roles spanning enterprise sales, cloud solutions, security and compliance, and AI business solutions. His final day was July 2, 2026.

He was among employees eligible for a voluntary retirement program Microsoft announced in April. Separately, the company announced plans in July to lay off approximately 4,800 workers, primarily in its Xbox and commercial sales teams.

What comes next

Before leaving Microsoft, Mrzena outlined plans for six months of family adventures and building projects, as well as time on rivers and oceans. He said he would decide on his next move in 2027, leaving open options including part-time work, a new trade, a different career or his own business.

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