Welcome to Mi Día, a series focused on sharing a day in the life of Hispanic and Latinx employees at Microsoft. From representing nuestras raíces y cultura to tackling tech challenges, we’re here to share our Microsoft adventures. So, grab your cafecito, and let’s dive into a day in the life of a Hispanic and Latinx employee at Microsoft.
Xiomara Malpica is a social marketing manager at Microsoft. Originally from Peru, she’s a proud first-generation Latina, passionate about both her career in social marketing and her creative endeavors outside of work. As she steps into 2025, Xiomara is focused on less stress, more fun, and prioritizing self-care—all while continuing to make an impact at work and within her community. Here’s a glimpse into her day.
7:30 AM
I’m a huge believer in starting the day slowly. I start with a walk around the neighborhood with my dog, Tini, and then I make myself coffee and breakfast. I love having that quiet time to myself—sometimes I’ll journal, and other times I just sit and enjoy the calm before the workday rush.
I’ll make coffee at home most days, but on days when I work from the office, my first stop is always the campus café. There’s just something about how the coffee tastes when someone else makes it, and it’s a nice little break from my home routine.
Once I’m settled in, I check Teams and emails to see what’s on the agenda for the day. I like to get a clear picture of what’s urgent and what can wait to be tackled by the end of the week, and I use OneNote to keep track of my to-do list.
8:30 AM
The beauty of my job is that no two days are alike. Some mornings, I don’t have any meetings and can dive into deep-focus work. On those days, I catch up on tasks from the day before, brainstorm new campaign ideas, or check out new social platforms to see if they could work for our brands.
On other days, my mornings are packed with back-to-back meetings. Whether it’s reviewing concepts or deciding which influencers to work with, it’s always a creative and fun part of my role. The pace of social media marketing is fast, and I love the aspect of staying ahead of trends and tapping into cultural moments.
12:00 PM
When I’m working from home, lunch is a time for me to connect with my family. I like to spend it with my abuelita, prepping food together (or she gets ahead and starts cooking something delicious while I finish up a few things) or helping with her hobbies. It’s one of my favorite parts of the day—I’m grateful for these quiet, quality moments with her. And of course, Tini gets some attention, too!
On days when I’m at the office, I like to step away from campus for lunch. I love exploring nearby spots to recharge while bonding with coworkers, trying new places for a quick bite, and chatting about work or life outside the office.
1:00 PM
After lunch, it’s back to work. I typically meet with our creative teams and creator agency to review campaigns and discuss anything from concept ideas to selecting creators for upcoming projects. Sometimes I get the opportunity to go on set for our campaigns– it’s one of my favorite parts of the job—seeing everything come together.
On some afternoons, I’ll have stakeholder meetings or cross-team check-ins to update everyone on project status and sharing strategies. Other days, if time allows, I schedule connects with my colleagues to gain insight on what they’re up to. I also enjoy sitting in on our Hispanic and Latinx employee resource group (HOLA) events where I share my experience as a Latina in marketing, like the panel I was part of for Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month.
5:00 PM
Around 5:00 PM, I try to log off and take a moment for myself. Since I work remotely, it’s easy for the lines between work and personal time to blur. I’ve made it a habit to set an alarm at 5:00 PM to remind me to close my laptop. Then, I take a few minutes to do some breathing exercises to help me transition out of work mode.
After a busy day, I like to balance personal projects and hobbies with self-care. Lately, I’ve been diving into real estate investing as a side venture. When I want to stay active, I’ll take a fun dance class or focus on my passion of helping other first-generation (the first generation of people who go to live in another country) individuals navigate the world of personal finance. That being said, I’m also a big believer in rest, and I’ve learned to listen to my body and take it slow when I need to recharge.
8:00 PM
In the evenings, I focus on winding down. It’s a time to rest, be with the people I love, and pursue the things that bring me joy. I’m intentional about not overloading myself and keeping this time peaceful. Whether that’s journaling, skincare, punch needling, or watching novelas with my mom and grandma, I try to enjoy the slow moments. And of course, my dog Tini is always right there, ready for some snuggles. It’s all about balancing hustle with self-care—ensuring I’m ready for the next day.
