Associate Producer Review
by Microsoft
This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
-
The Role
4.6
-
The Company
2.1
-
The Culture
2.5
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
- 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
- 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
- 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
- 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
- 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
- 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
- 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
- 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
- 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
- 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
- 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
The Role
incredible people, incredible experience, just incredible everything! - XBOX soho for the win
Sometimes, I would get the occasional 'intern' job, the work that no one else wanted to do, but at the end of the day you need to do this. I've learnt a lot from doing those little annoying tasks. but overall the work was amazingly challenging and really good fun. My colleagues treated me with respect and as a valued member of the team. Everyone lovely (apart from one or two - you'll get it everywhere I'm sure). I felt like family almost, and some are now friends who I intend to stay in contact with for life. And I'm not talking other interns, I'm talking fully fledged MS staff.
I had weekly 1:1's with my manager, who was brilliant. He gave me guidance on every part of my internship. he help to identify problems and areas of improvement and really helped me to achieve MY goals. further more he helped me develop the areas I wanted to grow in, and gave advice that will last me my whole life. At Xbox, it's not really an internship, it's a fast track to your 30 year old competitor. They will train you and assess you to older, experienced counterpart and the level of competencies required to do the full fledged job - for me it was being a Producer. That said because of this demand they will pick a lot of fault, and expect a lot from you. But let's be honest, if you get here, you're going to have drive to be the best.
Some days could be quiet, some days could be long. I did have to work the occasional weekend, and probably 2-3, 8am - 9pm days a week. But HAD is a strong word. They don't 'expect' you to but it's encouraged to push yourself. Honestly though, working here, you'll love your job so you barely feel the pinch of work lates. and you're compensated with free food, and a room full of banter.
The scope is up to you. I had a lot. I managed a team of 12, work items, bugs, You're encouraged to push yourself as far as you can go. It's like being at Eton school. if you've got passion they'll push you to achieve, and support you.
This placement has been amazing. I considered myself a switched on chap already, and also by those around me, but now after working here I have 'seen the light'. My manager has given me advice that will help me through the rest of my career. I am set!
The Company
great, relaxed environment. come dressed as whatever you want! - everyone is lovely and friendly
HR is poor we were promised mobile phones by recruitment which they then back tracked on. VERY POOR! and frustrating when you're promised things then they go back on this. lying is not needed to get people to work here.
I've not had any additional training beyond the 'corporate' joining induction. on the job training makes up for this though. let's be honest, how much do you actually get from a training session like 'what kind of person are you'? It's more like a holiday anyway!
Flexi Time
Staff Sales/Staff Shop
Working from home
In Microsoft? Tough, only 50% of interns get the graduate job back, and that's not because of limited number, just because they're not good enough. within Xbox? Almost impossible. They rarely take on grads. If you get into Soho Productions feel yourself lucky you got here!
The Culture
It was common to go out for the occasional beer after work but not something I would say you could boast about to your colleagues at school.
It's expensive, living in London is very hard going as a student. Especially as MS don't pay that great. After work you'll be looking at about £5 a pint, and living costs are between £500 + (and that's in a rough area) with about £30 a week tube costs (zones 1-3).- personally as I'm quite active I got a bike and cycled to and from Harrow (about 40 miles a day - road bike obviously) which gave me a really nice house. I know however not many people will want to do this in the rain / snow. I saved £50 a week on travelling though! seriously though you won't have much left from the crappy wage....
it's Soho?....
I joined and attended BAFTA awards which I was an honorary guest. I met a lot of famous people, and get a few good contacts if you're into networking but nothing much other than this.
Details
Placement (10 Months+)
Business Operations, Data Science, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal/Law, Logistics and Operations, Market Research
London
June 2012
