Business Program Manager Review

Working at Microsoft was a very positive experience. Being immersed in an environment that not only stimulates you but challenges you on a daily basis was key to make the whole placement even better. A true highlight of working there was the culture, which helped to create a vibrant and positive vibe in the workplace.

As I began to get familiar with the role and processes of my team within the company, I also started to related more with colleagues and the environment in the office more relaxed and enjoyable. It is rooted in the culture of the company to not define anyone by their title, so even being an intern, I felt valued all the way through the end.

This is aspect is definitely something that varies from manager to manager. My personal experience was great, with my line manager being very present at all times, but also mindful to let me perform at my best in the ways i believed appropriate. He was definitely able to find the right medium between an absent manager and an intrusive one.

As responsibilities change over time, with some projects requiring more attention in certain parts of the year and others at different times, I found myself to be reasonably busy most of the time. As it can be expected, occasions like onboarding of incoming interns can be slightly less busy, with some of the activities being handed over.

Being given real responsibility from the start was at the cornerstone of the upsides of working at Microsoft. Once interns became familiar with the internal processes and overall customs of the company, there was seemingly no difference between then and other employees. I felt extremely valued from start to end.

Spending a year in industry is an experience that brings incredible value. Besides achieving a particular maturity in facing challenges and collaborating with others, the extent to which my learnings helped me once back at university was impressing. This definitely played a role in an overall better experience in my final year.

The atmosphere in the office was very fun and enjoyable. Of course, with the chance to work from home when necessary, it happened that on certain days the office was not as busy as other days. Despite that, the overall environment was very vibrant and it surely fostered a positive approach to problem-solving.

The placement scheme at Microsoft is definitely a very thought after program. The roles among interns, apprentices and graduates are very well spread across different business functions and segments. In addition, the whole program is mostly well structured, allowing interns to have known, go-to resources for any questions or help .

Between general training and sessions specific to each intern role within the company, the investment from the business was very solid. Throughout the placement, all interns have the chance to take online courses and upskill themselves under many different aspects, which seems to be quite valuable for the return to university.

For interns joining Microsoft there is always the opportunity to join clubs of any kind, whether it's sports or any hobbies and passions you may have. The strong community in the office also makes it easier to organise team-building activities and occasions to get to know each other better and achieve more together.