Placement Year Review at Microsoft

The Role

Role Description

• Project coordination & PMO administration and dashboard reporting
• Monthly & Quarterly Business reporting for Segments within CSS
• Management, user support and training of the Microsoft Project Portfolio Server (PPS)Tool – full training will be provided.
• Manages monthly business segment portfolio, project and operational reporting
o Ensuring PMs complete monthly reporting on time
o Supporting the PPS Program Manager by handling user support, reporting questions
o Candidate must be able to extract, analyse and report data
o Ensure accuracy of reports, queries, spreadsheets etc. and provide graphical display of information as requested.
• Setting up PMO team meetings/conference calls
• Taking minutes during team meetings and sending follow up documentation with actions
• Manage the Brown Bag Program, arranging guest speakers over Live Meeting to share knowledge with SMG and CSS and regularly update the Brown Bag Share Point.
• Administration of the PMO team Share Point sites
• Actively challenges and suggests enhancements on existing processes, tools and workflows

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I love working at Microsoft, you are treated like a full time employee and given real responsibility. I really enjoy the majority of my work at Microsoft and there is plenty of freedom to go outside of your job role and explore Microsoft.

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

As i work in EMEA, it is hard to build a relationship over the phone. However that being said we all make every effort to take personal interest in one another and at our face to face meetings we always do social activities.

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

My manager is great and i do not feel there is any problem that he will not sort. As well as my manager i get ample amounts of support from my mentors (I have two!).

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

As i do project work there are times where you are rushed off your feet, then quieter periods. The good thing is that there is always room for self development at Microsoft so you can never really be board.

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

i have been given masses of responsibility here at Microsoft, presenting at two all hands already! (im only in my 4th month). The repsonsibility is perfectly matched with the right amount of freedom for you to be creative with support in any aspect you may be struggling with.

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I havnt left Microsoft as of yet, however i feel that i have deffinalty learnt time management and looking at things from a different perspective. I do feel however that Microsoft is a one of company and i am not nieve in thinking that all companies are like this!

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

This is an area that i am actively trying to improve, the office atmosphere is somehting that i would like to look forward to. Everyone is still so pleasent and i feel that because i work in EMEA there is no need to socially interact. However this will change in the next months.

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The Internship itself was very well organised and managed, the support and guidance is there. The induction days to Microsoft were one of a kind and i enjoyed every minute of it!

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

This is an area that Microsoft thrives on. My manager is so supportive of any area of the business i want to explore, and i have jumped at the opprtunity. This makes my internship that little more exciting, knowing i can explore any aspect.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

• Flexi Time
• Subsidised Canteen
• Sports and Social Club
• Subsidised/Company Gym
• National Travel
• International Travel
• Company Parties/Events
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop
• Working from home
• Healthcare/Dental

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The MACH scheme here at Microsoft is feirce and i would never say i have got a job with them, although i do hope so!

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Every week there is something happening, weather its going to the pub or a intern event mixing with other companies. There is always somehting to do and no one is ever excluded.

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

It is pretty average here, and a great commute for people living in London etc. That being in mind house prices may be a little more.

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The nightlife is good here in Reading, not the best i've ever seen but not the worst.

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

There are so many activities to get involved in from charity events, to social events. If you never wanted to be board, you never would be.

In addition to these questions, is there any extra information you would like to leave about your experiences on your work placement that other students may be interested in?

At first its daunting coming into such a big company, and you feel like a little fish in a big pond. However everyone here is just normal!

Review 101/109 for Microsoft

Previous Next