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My role sits within Commercial & PMO functions for one of Microsoft's largest UK programmes. Day to day, I work with internal and external stakeholders in managing programme onboarding and offboarding and vetting processes; maintaining contractual document management; and reviewing lessons learnt across the programme to support in increasing programme efficiency in the future.

One of the most memorable experiences of my career so far was an organisational offsite that was held in Athens, Greece! It was a fantastic networking opportunity for me being quite early on in my career, but also provided me valuable understanding in the how the organisation learn from challenges, implement best practices where possible, and directly seeing the beautiful culture at Microsoft. The added bonus was that this was my first time travelling solo abroad, which was pretty cool on a personal level!

My biggest challenge of my career is managing work & study. As an apprentice (and people-pleaser!), when you are developing professionally, it can be tricky to manage expectations around your capacity keeping in mind your study commitments.

Microsoft have a really supportive culture, and there is help everywhere you look. Microsoft also have a wellbeing team partnered with Nuffield Health, with physical and mental health support available to all colleagues including apprentices and graduates.

I have a range of options at the end of my apprenticeship, I'm able to stay at Microsoft and choose to stay in my role or apply to roles elsewhere in the business, or I have the option to apply for other organisations elsewhere if I feel that is the right step for me in my career.

My advice for anyone looking to start an apprenticeship would be to always ask if your apprenticeship is structured in a rotational way, so that you are able to experience different areas and different roles to give you the opportunity to identify where you feel you want to be for the next few years in your career.

I sit within the Consumer Sales Organisation at Microsoft within the consumer channel partner marketing team, focusing on Surface, Windows and Microsoft 365. I have worked on numerous accounts across Harvey Norman (Ireland), John Lewis and Distribution (Costco, AO & TVG). Within these roles I lead the planning, development, go to market execution, and optimisation of full funnel marketing campaigns across digital, social, TV, Radio and instore. I work closely with my sales counterpart to attribute sales KPI’s to demonstrate an ROI from executing the quarterly marketing tactics.

The biggest highlight of my journey in the CMDA degree apprenticeship program has undoubtedly been the opportunity to lead significant initiatives that align with the program’s goal of cultivating future managers and leaders. One standout moment was when I had the privilege of leading a face-to-face marketing proposal meeting with Chris Caposella, the former CMO of Microsoft Worldwide. This experience not only challenged me to elevate my strategic thinking and presentation skills but also provided invaluable insights from a seasoned leader in the industry. Additionally, I was honoured to receive the Computer Partner of the Year award from Harvey Norman, which recognised my contributions and commitment to marketing excellence. Finally, I won the highly commended rising star award at the national apprenticeship awards 2024! All of these highlights really reinforce my belief in the impact of hard work and collaboration being recognised at Microsoft.

One of the most significant challenges I’ve faced during my apprenticeship has been juggling a full-time professional career alongside various stretch projects. Involvement in initiatives like the Women @ Microsoft employee resource group, mentoring fellow apprentices, and dedicating time to volunteer work has been incredibly rewarding but also demanding. Balancing these commitments while studying for my degree has tested my limits. It required me to become highly efficient in time management and organization. I’ve had to prioritise tasks effectively, often creating detailed schedules to ensure I meet deadlines without compromising the quality of my work. This experience has taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability. While it can be overwhelming at times, I’ve learned to embrace the challenge and view it as an opportunity for growth. Each responsibility has contributed to my development, equipping me with skills that will be invaluable in my future career.

At Microsoft, I benefit from a robust support network that includes mentors, colleagues, and a collaborative community. My mentors provide invaluable guidance, sharing their expertise and insights to help me navigate challenges and develop my skills. Colleagues are always willing to lend a hand, fostering a culture of teamwork and encouragement. This supportive environment has made it easy to ask questions and seek advice, enhancing my learning experience. Additionally, regular feedback from my team helps me grow and refine my abilities, ensuring I feel empowered and connected throughout my apprenticeship journey.

Some key advice that I would give someone thinking about an apprenticeship is to be proactive, take the initiative to seek out opportunities in your wider network, connect with leaders in your target career area and reach out! Think about if it is something you can manage, as mentioned it can be challenging in terms of time management, balancing work, study, and personal life can be challenging. Develop evidence use cases where you have demonstrated strong time management skills, and use these in interviews to demonstrate your capabilities. Finally, stand out and make your mark – be eager and passionate about your roles or school clubs, don’t be afraid to be keen and throw yourself into as much as you can handle, this will greatly aid your skill development.

As a CSA, I help customers onboard new applications within their environment, which allows me to use both my technical knowledge and my people skills. A highlight of my career so far has been working with over 50 customers—I've gained so much valuable experience! I have plenty of support from my manager, colleagues, and apprenticeship provider, which makes a huge difference. There are so many avenues to explore, whether that’s staying on in my current role or moving to a partner— the opportunities are endless!

A standard day is a mixture of customer meetings, internal meetings, and admin based work.

Transitioning into an full time employment position is by far my biggest achievement. But the biggest challenge has been the learning required to keep up with the rapid pace of change within the business. It is intense, although it keeps me energised!

The managers I have had have all been extremely supportive, along with various colleagues who have a genuine interest in early in career. All my team members are extremely accommodating as well and are always happy to share their time to give career and job role advice.

"I decided to an apprenticeship as i wanted to further my educations and have a career change."

If you are wanting to further your education and get a head start with your career, or have a career change, then an apprenticeship is perfect for you. I have found the methods of learning significantly more valuable than traditional methods that I was familiar with at school and have absolutely no regrets with my decision to take an apprenticeship. I have achieved far more than I ever imagined through the programs.

I am very proud of my work during the Pandemic; this was a very difficult time to be in IT due to people working from home. This caused many IT Systems to fail, and work needed to be completed quickly to ensure people could work. Both myself and our team worked very hard during this time. It allowed me to gain a huge amount of experience in a very short time.

Joining the Technical Consultancy team was easily the biggest challenge of my career; this role was always my goal but had a very steep learning curve. Even after almost one year in the role I still learn new things everyday. The great thing is that during my apprenticeship, I received huge levels of support from both my colleagues and training provider. This meant that at the end of my apprenticeship I continued progressing at Phoenix, first into a Change Management role, and then into Technical Consultancy.

My words of advice to someone thinking about doing an apprenticeship are to think about the area of work you would like to go into; research, discover if people in your line of work benefit from any A-Level or University qualifications. For me, they were simply not needed, I quickly found that the curriculum being taught in computing at school wasn't accurate in real world scenarios. My qualifications were gained from Microsoft & City & Guilds, rather than Sixth Form or University.

While I’m aligned with the public sector, I’m fortunate to work across a variety of industries, helping customers unlock the potential of their data post-sales. Each day, I dive into unique challenges and opportunities, shaping solutions that drive real impact for customers.

The highlight of my career so far has been working within Microsoft’s incredible culture, where the “learn-it-all” mindset is central. This environment has been perfect for an apprentice like me, as it constantly encourages growth, curiosity, and hands-on learning. Being surrounded by approachable, supportive colleagues who are always willing to share their knowledge has been invaluable. This experience has shown me just how effective an apprenticeship is—not only am I gaining technical skills, but I’m also learning directly from experts in a collaborative, growth-focused culture, which is exactly what I hoped for when I chose this path.

The biggest challenge of my career so far has been learning to balance my work responsibilities with university coursework. Juggling both can be intense at times, but the apprenticeship structure has really helped with this. Having 20% of my time dedicated to “off-the-job” training has made it much easier to stay on top of my studies without sacrificing my work commitments. This structured time has allowed me to focus on developing academically while still applying what I learn directly in my role, creating a balanced approach that supports both my professional and educational growth.

The support so far at Microsoft has been great. I’m fortunate to have a strong support network that includes my manager, colleagues, and training provider. My manager is incredibly supportive, regularly checking in to ensure I’m on track with my university work and offering guidance to help me balance my studies with my responsibilities at work. My colleagues are also very encouraging and are always willing to offer advice and support whenever I need it. Additionally, my training provider plays an active role by checking in on my progress, making sure I understand each module, and helping me stay organized with everything I need to successfully complete my apprenticeship. This combined support system has been invaluable in helping me succeed both at work and in my studies.

I chose the apprenticeship path to gain firsthand experience in the field while completing my degree. To anyone considering an apprenticeship, I’d say: absolutely go for it! It’s an incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and jumpstart your career in ways you won’t regret.

A TS is an expert in a particular area of Microsoft technology. We develop, implement, and maintain technologies within our area of expertise. It involves a variety of responsibilities, such as, researching and evaluating new technologies, creating and improving processes, and providing technical support to our partners and customers. Day-to-day, the work varies, but generally, it involves a mix of technical problem-solving, support, and project work including customer demos and workshops.

A highlight of my apprenticeship so far would be hosting the Microsoft UK Town Hall live one year into my apprenticeship, with over 6000 employees invited, was a whirlwind experience. Also, Interviewing UK CEO Clare Barclay, as well as sharing my experiences as an apprentice for National Apprenticeship week this year was amazing!

The biggest challenge of my career so far has been navigating the steep learning curve. Transitioning from academic projects to real-world applications, while being incredibly rewarding, have involved understanding complex systems and collaborating with experienced experts has been tough. However, I'm resilient and have been working on building great skills that will help support me in these challenges!

The support I have received so far at Microsoft has been incredible. I am fortunate to have a robust support network that has been instrumental in my growth and development. This network includes my mentor who has been invaluable and provides guidance within my role. My manager, who ensures I have the resources I need and encourages my professional development. Being part of the EiC community has connected me with peers who are also in the early stages of their careers. This community offers a platform for sharing experiences, learning from each other, and building a sense of camaraderie. Last but very much not least, I have my two coaches from my training provider who offer additional support from an academic perspective.

One of the my goals is being offered a full-time position at Microsoft. This would allow me to continue growing within the company, applying the skills and knowledge I’ve gained during my apprenticeship. However, with the experience and skills acquire, I could explore various career paths within the tech industry, whether at Microsoft or elsewhere, leveraging the strong foundation built during my apprenticeship. Who knows where the world will take me!

My advice to anyone looking to start an apprenticeship would be to go for it!! An apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity to learn on the job and an amazing way of setting a strong foundation for the beginning of your career Journey. They provide practical, hands-on experience in your chosen field. You’ll work on real projects and gain valuable skills that are directly applicable to your career. You’ll have access to experienced experts who can offer guidance, support, and insights. You’ll connect with colleagues, industry professionals, and peers, which can open doors for you. An apprenticeship is a unique and rewarding experience that can set the stage for a successful career.

During sixth form, I managed to work almost full-time while studying for my A-levels. Although this was stressful and came with its own challenges, I really enjoyed the aspect of earning money while investing in my future. 

‘’This is one of the main aspects that attracted me to apprenticeships. The fact I could get an education while working for one of my dream companies.’’

My role at Microsoft in the Global Solutions team is everchanging, with each project being different. The main aspect of my role is to provide technical support for the sellers assisting in the pre-sale process. This involves communicating conversations with c-level executives and understanding the issues they face while going through their digital transformation as well as building proof of concepts. One of the most exciting projects I have worked on was leading the build of a Power App. This project involved communicating with directors and stakeholders of one of the largest global companies to collect requirements for the build. Due to the success of the project, we were able to secure a multimillion-pound deal. (The biggest deal I had ever been a part of!)

‘’ Don't be afraid to apply. Your chances are better than you think!’’

Microsoft is a great employer at supporting personal development goals. One example of this is that I wanted to educate myself on AI as it was a passion of mine. Microsoft not only gave me the time to study for an Azure AI Fundamentals Exams they also prepared mock exams, which was critical for me passing first time. Apart from educational support we also have a mentor, who acts as a point of reference to ask any questions and to support any personal problems. 

Interested in becoming an ambassador? Find out more!

A highlight of my career so far is speaking about my journey with Microsoft, but one of my biggest challenges has been overcoming imposter syndrome. 

Microsoft has great support networks, my manager being one, as well as the EIC support group. 

I decided to do an apprenticeship as I wanted to learn from the bottom up, and my advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship is to just do it! 

"Earn whilst you learn and jump in. Be debt free and get the experience."

My day-to-day tasks can vary, but here are some specific activities I might be involved in: I am likely to work on various projects, ensuring I stay on track and meet deadlines. This includes coordinating with different teams, tracking progress, and reporting on project status. I regularly attend and participate in meetings and communicate with my manager, Stacy Denton, as well as other team members through emails and catch-ups. For example, I might have 1:1 meetings with colleagues to discuss ongoing tasks and projects.

My role is dynamic and involves a mix of project management, collaboration, communication, and continuous learning. A highlight of my work so far has been being a key figure in an ongoing project where I co-hosted and demoed a Microsoft product to 400+ employees in a customer’s organisation.

When I first started, a senior employee gave me invaluable advice: “Not being busy for the sake of being busy.” It’s very easy to fall into the trap of doing things that simply fill up time. It’s important to focus on tasks that are meaningful and add value, rather than overloading yourself with work that doesn’t achieve much. Receiving this advice was eye-opening because, in such a vast organisation like Microsoft that has so much to offer, it’s easy to do too much.

All types of support are available to me—managers, mentors, support networks, and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), such as Diversity and Inclusion communities. At Microsoft, there’s a community for everyone. Microsoft also offers resources and programmes to support employees' mental and physical well-being, including access to counselling services, wellness programmes, and initiatives to promote work-life balance.

At the end of my apprenticeship, I aim to become a full-time employee at Microsoft.

The biggest highlight of my career so far has been meeting HRH the Duke of Cambridge at his visit to Microsoft UK Campus at Thames Valley Park. 

The biggest challenge has been confidently managing communities within the Microsoft's Social Impact space, using clarity and purpose in my delegating.

I have support from my manager and my team, from the Apprentice HR team at Microsoft and from my tutors at The Open University

"I chose to do an apprenticeship as I wanted to gain a qualification while working full time."

Doing an apprenticeship is a fantastic route for someone like me changing careers and needing to gain further skills to boost their career development!

I provide data insights to different subsidiaries. I also work along the extended leadership team to provide fun and creative updates and all hands for the wider team.

A highlight of my apprenticeship so far has been the creativity and space Microsoft has given me to develop, and how they have allowed me to try different things to learn about myself.

My biggest challenge so far has been navigating such a big company, and it can be hard to know what you're doing when you're so new to working life.

Microsoft have been very supportive during my apprenticeship. I have my immediate team as well as the different teams I work with who are all lovely and happy to provide support!

Advice I would give to anyone looking to start an apprenticeship would be to make sure you're proactive and tenacious in going after what you want. It is very easy to be passive so you have to create your own opportunities.

I never originally planned to do an apprenticeship because I wasn’t even aware that they existed in the field I wanted to study. But then I heard about the apprenticeship opportunities offered by Microsoft, and it was a no-brainer! You get 4 years of experience working in one of the top software companies in the world, a free degree, and a salary. Plus, the hands-on work really backs up what you’re studying in real-time.

My role at Microsoft is really technical but still customer-facing. It involves building cloud technology, running migrations, and developing applications for the Public Sector. I mainly create cloud solutions and present demonstrations.

”In my role, every day is different!

I handle customer visits, internal meetings, focus time to build solutions and have time dedicated to extracurricular projects, like women in technology. I love that I can have so much real-life impact in my role. One of the first projects I worked on at Microsoft was building an app for the NHS to predict which hospitals were busier than others to redirect ambulances! I really feel like I’m making a difference with my work.

The proudest moment I’ve had during my time as an apprentice is when I won 'Apprentice of the Year' at the CRN Women in Channel Awards! I had just finished the first year of my apprenticeship and I never thought I would win, but it felt incredible to be recognised for all the work I do to advocate for women getting into STEM and technology and for those early in their careers.

”If I had to give advice to someone considering an apprenticeship, I would say unless you have a particular subject in mind, like studying medicine, then why should you have to go to uni to do it?”

If you don’t, seriously consider the apprenticeship route. There are so many benefits, and barely any negatives. You still get the 'uni lifestyle' if you want it, just apply to a large company! That's the experience you won't get at university and will give you a huge advantage in future job applications.

I had never even coded before my apprenticeship, and yet I applied for the most technical role going at one of the biggest tech companies in the world! I think the technical world, and anything outside your comfort zone, can be intimidating, but the trick is to just say yes to everything you can - you never know where it could lead you to!

To this day there are still times where I face the imposter syndrome, but practice makes perfect, it slowly goes away the more you do. I've spoken to people who are at the top of their game and they still face it, so remember you're not alone!

Microsoft is an amazing place to work, I couldn't recommend it enough. It's such a large, global organisation which means there's a huge array of opportunities to get involved in. I am particularly passionate about women in technology and have formed an 'Early in Career Society' which brings together apprentices, interns and graduates from different companies and industries, to form a group like a university society.

I’ve been able to pick up loads of skills in my time. One of them is communication – it’s key to my role. We need to be able to explain highly technical concepts at an understandable level. I’ve done loads of talks on my journey into, and at, Microsoft; I even spoke to 2000 people at once! I've even developed the ability to code in a few languages, which I'm still amazed at because at times it felt impossible!

”Experiences like this have had a huge impact on my confidence and public speaking skills and have formed me into who I am today.”

From the very beginning of my apprenticeship, I discussed my future plans with my manager and mentors. While it has changed and developed over the years, they have always been supportive and helped me plan for my next stage. My current plans are to remain in my role and specialise in artificial intelligence and machine learning. I would love to move into technical management and work my way up the career ladder - hopefully one day I’ll be the CEO of Microsoft. Now that would be a good way to inspire people into apprenticeships!

So, don't be put off - apprenticeships cover most fields of expertise, just keep looking on different websites like GetMyFirstJob to find the best match for you!

Interested in becoming an ambassador? Find out more!

The highlight of my career so far has been taking part in a panel Discussion about apprenticeships with Rishi Sunak and being promoted to a full time employee mid apprenticeship. 

One of the biggest challenges in my career has been time management. Working a full time job whilst balancing university can sometimes be difficult and a lot to take on but understanding that you need to be clear and open with the team around you and tell them when things may be getting too much or too heavy and getting help is crucial to your own mental wellbeing and work-life balance. Time management is something i feel every apprentice will naturally pick up but knowing you can say no if you feel overloaded is a key thing to remember

"Support at Microsoft is amazing. Every single person in the organisation is at your disposal. Help is always just a message away"

I chose to do an apprenticeship as the idea of being hands on while you learn and getting a head start on the working world over going to University and a degree with no student debt... No brainer

My advice for anyone wanting to do an apprenticeship is to find your passion of what business industry you like, whether that is tech, fashion or beauty and push for an apprenticeship in it. Be confident and research the business. Keep up to date with what they are working on and align your key values with the business to really connect with it and that will show in an interview and go a long way.

Day-to-day my role can vary a lot and each day is different. Some of my daily activities include, creating and presenting demo's of Microsoft Azure services, responding to customer queries in a variety of different methods, working with colleagues on internal initiatives and continuous learning and staying up to date with newly released products in Azure to name a few.

There are a lot of highlights throughout my career so far, so it is quite difficult to name a single one, I really enjoy the fact that I can promote careers in tech. Running workshops and open panels to show young people what working in Technology is like is something that gives me a lot of satisfaction.

A big challenge for me has been dealing with Imposter syndrome. Starting a role at a global company with a lot of smart and competent people slightly intimidated me when I first started my role, but as I have continued to learn different technologies and understand more it has been easier to deal with.

"Everyone at my company is really approachable and I feel like I can ask questions and it is even encouraged."

I have a lot of support at my company, which ranges from my manager, colleagues in my team and also various different people who have given up time to mentor me. I am working with my manager and my network to decide on the next steps for my career, I still have a while until I complete my apprenticeship so currently I am focusing on being the best at my role and getting the best grades in my degree.

When I left school I didn't want to go to University because it didn't provide the lifestyle I wanted and seemed like a lot of money for something I wasn't sure about. I worked for a few years and realised I wanted to get a degree and saw the opportunity to do that whilst working and getting real world experience so seemed like a win-win to me.

My advice for anyone thinking about an apprenticeship...Think about what companies you would like to work for and why, this will make you more motivated when it comes to interviews. Understand that you will have to balance your work, study and personal life so think about how this might affect your current lifestyle.