Business Analyst Review

Looking back, I really miss my jobs at MS, the opportunities and responsibilities were great. There was not a single day where I was treated like an Intern and the responsibilities I was given made me feel really valued. My year at Microsoft was one of the best years of my life, meeting so many great friends and gaining a real corporate environment exposure.

I really felt valued, especially as my team had a few new starters after me giving me the opportunity to pass on skills that I had learnt. As mentioned, I was never treated like an intern and my work would often form the basis of others, my colleagues valued this and would often ask for help or pass on advice when necessary. My colleagues often had the confidence to ask me to help with their work and complete important tasks. Therefore, throughout the whole year I really felt valued by all colleagues.

There was great guidance and support by not only my manager but my whole team. My manager really guided me through the first few months giving background knowledge of the whole task and the stakeholder’s background. This helped me to understand my work more and really go above and beyond. My manager was never shy in letting me solve a problem without any assistance first which helped when I had to make important decisions.

Working in the data analytics team proved to be busy at all times, there was always work to do and always someone counting on data analysis. Midyear and end of year periods proved to be manic with the need to often put in extra hours. At the same time my team believed in play hard work hard. We would often go and play some golf, table football or pool which was real fun.

The responsibility was great and there was a lot of it! My very first project involved me ensuring revenue figures for Microsoft's 17 biggest resellers was correct and accurate. I worked with so many stakeholders from around the business all of which required me to work to their deadlines and provide the right data that would form the basis of their work. I was required to multi task throughout the whole year and assess how I was going to utilise my time and complete the projects.

My skills developed a great deal...I've become an absolute pro in Excel thanks to a team member who passed on so many tips. I gained all the Microsoft Certification available and this has definitely helped me so far in final year, in terms of accessing and using the tools to ensure work is of a high standard. The role has provided me with a great deal of data skills and the ability to implement data solutions with the use of more technical skills.

The atmosphere was good, everyone was hard at work but also enjoyed a bit of light banter here and there. I was lucky enough to have made a number of friends across the other teams, with there also being 2 other interns on my floor and so it was great to go over and catch up.

This was very well organised from start to finish, the communications were quick and each stage was of the assessment was explained in great detail allowing us to be more comfortable with the process.

There were opportunities to book training around various areas of the business, there were company conferences and talks from various companies on a regular basis and my manager would have a one to one with me on a weekly basisi to ensure I was progressing; this often involved me assessing what skills I was learning and how this would help in future.

I had an awesome year at Microsoft and completed all my tasks above and beyond. I keep in touch with many of my former colleagues and future prospects at Microsoft look hopeful.

Microsoft invests heavily in its interns and there is a great and large community, with everyone helping one another. Because of the good number of interns there was always something going on socially and there are a number of places in reading to get together.

I decided to travel to work on a daily basis which was definitely a mistake and one that i would definitely change if I could start again. Petrol wasn't cheap at all and the time wasted was very annoying. Other than the travelling my other costs were ok. The cost of socialising and going out is not too bad but not the cheapest at the same time.

Travelling to and from work definitely limited me going out with friends at times, but when I did the nightlife was good, the interns definitely always had something going on.

Absolutely! There were a number of sports teams you could join or just simply go the gym at a very good price for the interns. I played cricket for the Microsoft team every week and this was a great part of my intern life. Definitely there is lots to get involved in.