Business Analyst Review

Microsoft is a great place to work and the people really make the company, I really enjoyed it!

I was given responsibility right from the start and the work I did people really depended on so I felt like I was a valued team member.

I had fortnightly 1:1s with my manager to see how I was doing which was completely focused on me and he would give me advice and help if I needed it.

For me I was really busy on a daily basis but this suited me because I like to be busy and the work was interesting.

I was given ownership of the main reporting for the department only after the first month of my internship and after that my responsibility grew and I was trusted to complete massive projects.

Unquestionably the skills I learnt will stay with me forever and be useful in what ever I do. Not only will this internship give me a head start in a graduate job as I am familiar with the workplace environment but when I go back to university for my final year my work ethic will completely change. I'm already planning to keep my 9-5 day for studying!

Microsoft likes to work hard and play hard and the atmosphere in the office always showed that. The office was always busy with people working but then the department made sure we were rewarded for it and made sure we had days where we had fun or reflected on our personal development. The office was never quiet, Microsoft is a really fast moving company!

The University Staffing department did a great job in looking after us and planning a great internship! In my opinion, the way they built as a community, always kept in touch and made sure we were having a great time sets this internship apart from the rest. I don't know anyone who has had a much fun as we have, got more out of their placement or even had a community like ours. A great thing they do is set up intern-led project teams so it gives us a chance to do something extra to our job, meet new people and learn new skills.

We've had several personal development days throughout the year where we did different things including doing work shops with a life coach and pulling together to give to charity. We are always encouraged to reflect and give ourselves time for personal development.

The future employment prospects Microsoft offer look great and the graduate scheme sounds fantastic. I did this placement to figure out what I wanted to do and I've decided to do a career in finance which sadly, Microsoft do not offer as a graduate scheme. I would like to come back to Microsoft eventually though.

There was an amazing social scene, there was always so much going on!

The cost of living was reasonable for a student, however, the cost of socialising was quite expensive.

There were plenty of bars, pubs and clubs to go to.

Yes there were plenty of sports and social clubs. I was part of the badminton club and as well as playing badminton every week we also socialised. I know other interns were part of the photography club and go-karting.