{"id":18258,"date":"2019-11-12T09:02:38","date_gmt":"2019-11-12T08:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/?p=18258"},"modified":"2019-11-13T18:51:46","modified_gmt":"2019-11-13T17:51:46","slug":"secrets-skills-microsoft-uk-graduates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/beyourfuture\/2019\/11\/12\/secrets-skills-microsoft-uk-graduates\/","title":{"rendered":"Secrets and skills: Behind the scenes with Microsoft UK graduates"},"content":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s no secret that the UK has a skills shortage \u2013 with IT companies particularly hard-hit; 68% of IT teams report that they face a shortage of necessary skills. As we look to create the next era of digital leaders across the country, companies are focused on how to bridge the gap between the skills we have today and the skills we need in the digital workplace of tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Hiring the right talent is critical to success and businesses mustn\u2019t forget about those who are early in their career. Apprentices, interns and graduates can bring a wealth of value to a business, offering fresh perspectives and creativity.<\/p>\n
Our Microsoft Aspire Experience gives graduates a pathway into the working world to shape them into the digital leaders of tomorrow. And you can be part of that experience too.<\/p>\n
Discover what it means to be a Microsoft UK graduate as we go behind the scenes with our Microsoft Aspire Experience grads to find out their highlights, the skills they\u2019ve learnt along their journey, and advice on how you can excel as a graduate at Microsoft<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hi! My name’s Chester \u2013 I’m 22 and from Brighton. After graduating from the University of Bath, studying Management with Marketing, I joined Microsoft\u2019s Experiential Marketing team, delivering events and brand experiences. Even in the small amount of time I\u2019ve been here, finding my feet, I\u2019ve already got one highlight: at Future Decoded<\/a>, I got the opportunity to host two live-streamed interviews<\/a>, discussing creativity in AI with WPP and chatting to OceanMind about how they use AI to combat unsustainable fishing around the world.<\/p>\n Chester\u2019s tips to success as a Microsoft graduate: <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Since joining Microsoft last year, I\u2019ve been continuously challenged to get out of my comfort zone. I began working as Surface Technical Specialist, joining a team of Surface sellers to increase our hardware and device footprint. I was even responsible for proving the technology, and guiding our customers with their technical decision-making.<\/p>\n This experience has led to learning new skills, as well as being valued for the opinions and ideas I have when tackling the role and serving my customers best. However, my biggest highlight has been visiting Seattle and Las Vegas for training. This included my first solo presentation and workshop with a customer, and talking at a partner event about how the industry could best make use of Surface.<\/p>\n Since then, I\u2019ve been given the exciting opportunity to move into our new Power Platform team as a Technical Specialist.<\/p>\n Freddie\u2019s top tip:<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n My journey started back in Seattle, the home of Microsoft\u2019s HQ, before I moved to England five years ago to study Computer and Information Technology. I previously worked on Microsoft Paint 3D and Xbox \u2013 in fact, my code is currently on over 900 million devices world-wide! In my role as a software engineer on Cortana for Windows, I develop features on the client side that enhance the user\u2019s productivity and interactions with Windows.<\/p>\n Collaboration is a key skill here: I work closely with designers to make sure designs are feasible from an engineering perspective. For me, it\u2019s all about creating the best user experience.<\/p>\n My top highlight at Microsoft has been attending the Grace Hopper Celebration conference in Orlando. For years, I\u2019d dreamt of going, so it was a real wish come true to join other STEM-ettes at the event.<\/p>\n Holly\u2019s 3-step guide to make the most of your experience:\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n I joined Microsoft last September. Now, I\u2019m an Enterprise Channel Manager in the One Commercial Partner program. Prior to this, I studied Business and Management at the University of Reading, where I also completed a one-year internship at General Electric.<\/p>\n My first year at Microsoft has been an invaluable experience. You\u2019re given real responsibility from day one, and encouraged to take on a \u2018fail fast\u2019 mentality. However, you\u2019re fully supported at the same time and people are always happy to help. For me, just being at Microsoft is a highlight. I love working here because every day is different and you get a real sense of accomplishment.<\/p>\n Learnings from Lucy\u2019s journey: <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n To find out more about what it\u2019s like to receive training alongside Microsoft UK professionals and the amazing opportunities you can get involved in as a Microsoft graduate, visit the Microsoft Aspire Experience site<\/a> and our Student and Graduates career page<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s no secret that the UK has a skills shortage \u2013 with IT companies particularly hard-hit; 68% of IT teams report that they face a shortage of necessary skills. As we look to create the next era of digital leaders across the country, companies are focused on how to bridge the gap between the skills<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":489,"featured_media":18555,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"_classifai_error":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[202],"post_tag":[1029,996,1002,999,906],"content-type":[],"coauthors":[1005,1008,1011],"class_list":["post-18258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beyourfuture","tag-be-your-future","tag-graduate","tag-learn","tag-microsoft-uk","tag-modern-workplace"],"yoast_head":"\nMeet\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Chester Broad, Marketing and Communications Manager<\/em><\/h2>\n
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Meet\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Freddie Saunders, Technical Specialist <\/em><\/h2>\n
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Meet\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Holly Boothroyd, Software Engineer on Cortana for Windows<\/em><\/h2>\n
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Meet\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Lucy Bloodworth, Enterprise Channel Manager – Health<\/em><\/h2>\n
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