Sales Operations Specialist Review

I really enjoyed my internship! It was a great opportunity to explore the Tech sector for what is what and make great connections along the way. The learning culture was great - at no point did I feel like I was asking a stupid question and was always encouraged to enjoy what I was doing.

I was always valued by my colleagues! I knew that the work I was doing was making an impact in the business, and the stakeholders in the business knew that as well. I felt like a part of the team very soon into the internship and knew I always had someone to reach out to if I was ever in a difficult situation.

My manager constantly made sure I was okay with the work I was doing and that I was having no issues. He was a very busy manager so a lot of the time I was working independently but that has helped my work ethic and helped develop me as a person.

I always had something to do! I took part in a lot of extra-curricular 101 teams, so that meant there was always an event to partake in or organise. Other than that, there were always members of the business asking me to do something for them related to my job role.

I feel like we were thrown into the deep end in the beginning! My job was to forecast for the business, so if I did not have a clear vision of what the figures were for one week, then senior members of the business wouldn't either! This level of responsibility was intimidating at first, but I got used to it and it became fun!

I think my year has definitely changed me as a person, whether that be my attitude towards work or my studies. I feel like I will definitely be trying harder in my final year of university because my placement year has made me realise my potential and opened my eyes to my capabilities.

You notice that in Microsoft, everyone actually wants to be there and wants to do their best in helping the business succeed. The learning culture was great because it meant I could set meetings up with people who may have been more senior to learn about their career journey and what advice they have for someone who is just starting out.

The 101 teams were a great investment and found that was the area through which I developed the most. It helped me with skills that my main job role did not necessarily focus on, such as public speaking and working out logistics to make an event happen. I have developed a significant amount as a result!

The interns in the organisation were definitely a community. We would always do things together after work, and made sure to celebrate the big holidays by throwing a party! A lot of us would also be working the same role but in different pars of the business, so would often work together to see what was happening in their part of the business.

After being on the basic pay for the internship, I was able to socialise, live in a decent apartment (with one other person) and still managed to save some money - so it is definitely manageable! Depending on where/what kind of accommodation you lived in, you are able to get a house for £400/500pcm

I found that there were not many activities I got involved with outside of work, but that doesn't mean they aren't there. I know of some interns who were fortunate enough to travel to Greece as they were a part of the football team in Microsoft, and there are also other clubs such as photography.