Microsoft 3 Day Work Experience

On 17-19 July 2023, I was fortunate enough, thanks to my dad Stuart Monro , to spend 3 days work experience at Microsoft UK’s HQ (Thames Valley Park, Reading) and their London Office (Paddington).

I had such diversely positive experiences across the many business areas that I explored and was made to feel so welcome by everyone I met. They were so friendly and generous with their time.

Monday 17th July – MCAPS Start:

It was an early start to be registered and sat down before 8:30 to see Dame Clare Barclay DBE and Kwadwo Benko host the UK element of Microsoft Customer & Partner Solutions Start kick off in Building 2 of Microsoft’s UK HQ (TVP). This was a high energy event with flag waving, cheers and celebrations (congratulations Lewis Richards for your pinnacle award). I learned a lot and it was a very inspiring event. Many people were kind enough to speak to me and help me understand more. Thanks to Clare Brown , Louise Daw , Rita Karl-Roper , Paul Sims , James Smith , Karen Ward , David Leigh , Jamie Moore , Lina A. Huertas FIMechE , Claudia Patricia Lopez Ferreira , Richard Fisher , Jay Beckwith , Melanie Mis , Moustafa Bounasser , Paul Maniatis , Silvia Reussner , Carrie-Anne Cremin , María Conde , Rachel Price , Ryan Goodchild

I was also lucky enough to meet Steve Douthwaite (Microsoft UK Communications Director) to understand more around a potential career avenue for me in PR & Comms.

It was a slightly tiring, yet very inspiring day that gave me insights into the strong community that exists among Microsoft employees and their teams.

Tuesday 18th July – UK Solutions Landing Day, Sustainability & Sales Shadowing:

After breakfast learning more about experience & devices with Kevin Wooldridge , I returned to TVP. I was able to watch some of the Microsoft Solutions Landing Day sessions which helped me further my knowledge around Cloud and the amazing AI opportunities ahead. Andrew Bentley (Enterprise Security Solutions Lead) made me feel welcome in the hot desk area whilst watching the sessions.

I was then really lucky to meet Musidora Jorgensen (Microsoft UK Head of Sustainability). The purpose driven nature of her work has inspired me to learn more and is a career path that I am now considering on a more serious basis. Musi highly encouraged that I too could contribute to conserving our planet in the current climate crisis, despite not having pursued an education in STEM subjects. She also alerted me to a free giveaway in the MS Library which I took advantage of! I was then able to shadow various sales meetings which were a combination or complex jargon and acronyms.

Wednesday 19th July – London!!!

Travelling on the new Elizabeth line into Paddington and being part of the commuter population was a new experience for a rural Cheshire gal! Despite setting off before 8am, due to train delays etc, we made it into 2 Kingdom Street just before my 9:30 call with Jessica Barfield . It was great to hear about her journey to become a Partner Development Apprentice and she has encouraged me to explore a degree apprenticeship as a post A-level option.

Next I met Pamella Barotti (MS UK Customer Advocacy lead), whose energetic approach was very inspiring and again encouraged me to consider a degree apprenticeship as well as an interest in pursuing a career in customer stories. I feel this career route would mesh my love for English Literature and the nature of our ever-changing world.

The tour I was given of the Microsoft Technology Centre was thought provoking with solutions across different industries and some of the prettiest meeting rooms I have ever seen including a 10m wide screen! (see the picture below with me and Tijana Dulic who was a wonderful host).

After a Wagamama's for lunch (yum), I was then able to sit in on a customer planning session which was complicated but lots of fun as the team figured out the right approach to take with a key customer. Thanks to Stuart Monro , Paul Sims , Hannah Owen , James Smith , Rita Karl-Roper , Manish Kumar , Will Alderson , Andrew Jordan , Matt Jackson , Eden Hardy , Jochem van Hove for letting me sit in on your meeting!

Journeying back on the Elizabeth line and then a 3 hour car journey meant we didn’t get home to Cheshire until 10pm. It was a full on, thought provoking, inspiring experience. Thank you Microsoft! I loved and appreciate you welcoming me so warmly.

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