Resource Coordinator Review

I enjoyed my work placement with Microsoft because they had valued me as a colleague and had given me a lot of opportunities other than my role. They ensured that every intern was heard in Microsoft and helped where they could with any enquiries. In summary, I have been able to gain a great network across the business and learn invaluable skills.

I was welcomed on to the team with open arms and as I understood my role over the first few weeks, they weren't afraid to give me responsibility. Throughout the year, I felt part of the team and was encouraged to take part of as many initiatives they had globally.

I was given support from the start of the year, straight to the end of the year. My manager was open to having 1:1 weekly meetings to ensure I understand the role and supported any problems I had across my side projects. Additionally, any stakeholders I worked with internally helped me with any misunderstandings.

I grew busy after my onboarding and after gaining more responsibility, I was able to cover for full time employees that helped me develop my time management skills across my role and projects. I was always encouraged to seek new challenges whether that is more responsibility or to use their learning paths they offer.

I was given great responsibility whenever the EMEA team was stretched whenever people went on holiday or got ill. I was able to lead meetings and calls with my team and this helped me to lead my side projects too. I was given a lot of responsibility during my placement.

From the start, I had received an amazing training for my role to ensure a quicker start my role. It had helped me improve my presentation, public speaking and organisation skills. Additionally, Microsoft help you to understand their technologies through their online teaching and provide any necessary workshops for further personal development.

The atmosphere at the office was great because we were all encouraged to come in to the office, instead of working from home. This ensured that colleagues were easier to approach and was happy to without any hesitation. Microsoft encourage their employees to help the early in career cohorts, resulting in mentor relationships being created.

The work placement was set up well where the first month is created for you to meet your early in career cohort and team. This ensures that you feel comfortable within the company, resulting in social gatherings out of the company. Additionally, the year was set up to ensure that we would have regular meetups as a cohort and self reflect on our year.

The company would invest in us with any learning or workshop resources needed, they would provide. They were able to give you access to other learning resources such as plural sight for free and if you wanted to take any Microsoft exams for accreditation, they would be free for the early in career cohort too.

The future employment prospects within the organisation are great, they encourage you to apply back for the right role and would spend lots of time individually to ensure it was the correct decision. They are open for interns to shadow full time employees and want you to succeed in the role.

There was intern led team that concentrated on ensuring that interns would meet up socially and network with each other. There was a great scene throughout the year open to all interns with an important events during the start, middle and end of the year. Additionally, there would be team socials after work too.

The cost of living and socialising in the area was above average expensive with around 5k spent on living with other interns. The cost of socialising was okay if you found the right places with offers/deals. There are good transport links to and from london, which helps with seeing family and friends.

The nightlife was okay and an acquired taste because most of the clubs are quite small and very busy. Again, there are specific clubs/bars that would best in terms music and the cost of drinks. I would recommend exploring other cities and towns around Reading to find the right spot for you.

Yes, there was an opportunity to join the Microsoft Football company to play in tournaments and be part of socials with the team. It was a great way for interns to receive advice and understand what their career is like at Microsoft. Additionally, there are other groups dedicated to improve your skills such as public speaking.