Cloud Solution Architect Intern Review

Each day looked different but generally I would spend time in customer meetings with a CSA I was shadowing, studying for Azure certifications, exploring technologies I found interesting and exciting, working on my stretch project, speaking with my mentors, working on tasks I could do for the CSA I'm shadowing, and working on any other projects I was involved in. As a CSA intern, we had lots of flexibility to form our own schedule around the technologies and projects we were interested in. While we might not be able to own an entire customer, we were encouraged to get involved wherever we could.

I gained a lot of skills that I couldn't get from my degree in computer science such as presenting, marketing, and communications. I also gained Azure certifications which helped me be able to contribute to customer meetings. In terms of developing exisiting skills, I gained a better understanding on what technology is like in industry rather than in a classroom setting. I also developed my interpersonal skills through working with others, being on the intern committee, and networking at events in person and online.

The amount of CSA responsibility given to a CSA intern was directly related to how much they knew about the Azure service(s) being used in a specific project. It was completely up to how much you were able to learn. We are encouraged to spend time developing our knowledge in services we are interested in, and once we feel comfortable, we can help contribute to projects using this service. Or we can find a project we like and then spend time learning about the service it is using, to be able to contribute. Outside of our core role, in our stretch project I was given much more responisiblity as it was something I already had the skills for. This could range from creating marketing material, to planning events, to doing presentations on a specific topic to customers, schools, etc. Depending on which project you were on, more/less learning was needed to fulfil the responsibility.

I had an outstanding amount of support and guidance during my placement. Everyone was willing to help and give advice to those early in their careers. We also had communities internally for supporting interns, graduates, and apprentices. As interns we were given a buddy and a mentor who would each offer different insights and advice. Buddies tended to be previous interns or people who were also early in their careers, while mentors were more experienced and had mentoring training, which is more in depth. Outside of your assigned people, you could also find mentors outside of this scheme. The amount and quality of support we recieve as interns was a highlight of my experience.

Everyone lives out Microsoft's core values of growth mindset, customer obsession, diversity and inclusion, One Microsoft, and making a difference. The atmosphere and culture was one of supporting one another, uplifting eachother, and having a real passion for everything they did. It was very motiviating and inspiring to experience.

It was an amazing experience and I would love to go back and do it again. I got to meet and hear from such amazing people, and work on projects where my contributions mattered. I learned so much from my placement that I couldn't learn in my degree. It was an amazing year I am so glad I had the opportunity to have.

Yes

Find how you relate to the company's values. These are not just values that they say and never follow through with, these are values you will see in action every day. Be a learn it all, not a know it all. You will not know everything, and that is okay. You just need to be willing to put effort into learning something new every day.