Readiness and Release Review

I am having an amazing time working for Microsoft as an intern. The role I have gives me variety and a real chance to expand my skills and develop my interests. I do not feel like my job here is 'work' because I enjoy the time I spend in the office and at offsite events, it makes me really grateful to have this internship.

As an intern you are viewed as a permenant employee, they value your work and they appreciate all your efforts (even if you do get things wrong here and there). As an Intern you are developed and valued as if you will be here for years to come, this makes you feel respected and that the work you do really is worthwhile and valuable to the team.

I have regular meetings which are aimed at supporting and guiding me through my internship at Microsoft. These meetings are with my direct manager and supervisor through to higher level managers who take a keen interest in developing you and ensuring your internship is going as well as possible.

Being able to manage your own time at Microsoft fully enables you to gain a great balance at work. Arranging your own meetings, scheduling time to do work, to get involved in other projects and extra activities all contribute to the balance all interns are encouraged to find at Microsoft.

As an itnern you are given a valuable role with real responsibilities. For example, I manage processes within my area of buisiness, which means I have become the expert in the field so colleagues now come to me for help and advice. I am also a project manager for new activities, both within my line of work and other projects that have been set up with fellow interns. After 4 months at Microsoft I have got more responsibilities than I could have expected, which is great becuase it is so encouraging that you really are valued.

There are so many opportunities to gain new skills and undertake training at Microsoft which give you transferrable skills to take with you once you finish your internship. I am developing presentation skills, interpersonal awareness and many more skill sets which I believe will not only help me in my final year of university but further than that.

Everyone at Microsoft is so welcoming, the office enviroment is relaxed and cheerful. People are always moving around to meet new people and catch up with each other on both work and socially. Entering a big company without having finished your degree is a daunting thing, Microsoft has an environment which eases this and makes you feel at home straight away.

I can't fault any of the organisation related to my internship. From the moment I submitted my application I was impressed with the efficiency and organisation of the company. This hasn't stopped; my induction was excellent and so well organised, from the intern activities that were set up, interaction with colleauges from across the business taking time to teach us more about the company to the hand-over which my previous intern gave me.

Microsoft actively encourages personal development amongst its employees. Training courses and qualifications are made available and internally advertised weekly. This has really made me feel valued as an intern, I soon realised that Microsoft are interested in developing you as well as helping you to excell at your job through investing as much as they can in you.

The Microsoft Graduate Scheme is the next step for me, I am going to try my best to make sure that I am back, working for Microsoft again, once I have graduated from university. I am having such a great time I would be stupid to not put my efforts into having an opportunity of working here again.

There is a vibrant social scene amongst the interns, Microsoft encourages us to interact socially and have a great time in and out of work.. they refer to us as the intern community and do their best to help us settle in and then give us the opportunity to have a great social life throughout the year, encouraging us to get involved with different events and social avtivities such as sports and clubs.

The cost of living isn't too bad because there is a university near to the main offices which means there is lots of student accomodation, clubs and bargains nearby.

There are lots of clubs, bars and pubs in the town which means you can still be a student on the weekends!

Microsoft has lots of sports clubs and societies which actively get involved in doing what they love best. These are all easy to join and they eagerly welcome new members meaning there are plenty of opportunities to get involved outside of work.