Major: Computer Engineering
Class: 2012
Home town: Rockford, Ill.
Why did you pick MSOE?
I chose MSOE because it has a great academic reputation and after visiting campus, it really seemed like a place where I would enjoy living. I'm glad I made the decision to come here because it really is an amazing school and I love the sense of community that comes with it.
What do you like about MSOE?
I really enjoy how community based the university is. Small class sizes add a more personal touch to the learning experience since it gives me the opportunity to know my professors better and the professors take an active interest in helping me succeed. Another great part about MSOE is that I don't spend all my time learning from a book and I actually get to experience course concepts first hand in the lab. Even my introductory courses I spend a lot of time on fun and engaging projects.
What would you tell someone who is considering coming to MSOE?
I would tell them that MSOE is a great place to challenge yourself while at the same time provides a fun and active atmosphere. Classes are challenging but you're surrounded by peers going through the same thing, which means you always have plenty of places to turn to for help if necessary.
Tell us about your internship at Microsoft. What was your main job responsibility?
I worked at Microsoft as a software development engineering intern. I worked primarily with a tools- and automation-build team that was part of Microsoft's new Office 365. Our primary responsibility was to develop and improve tools for internal use by other members of the engineering team. My major project was re-targeting our team's custom-build tools and scripts to work with the newest version of the Microsoft .NET framework to give developers access to the latest tools with additional functionality.
How did you hear of the internship?
By browsing through the Microsoft career website and applying online. The Career Services Department definitely helped me prepare for my phone interview and the series of interviews I went through on the Microsoft campus.
What was the best part about your summer?
Probably the most refreshing thing about this summer was the relaxed attitude at work. Microsoft is a very results-driven culture, but they know that in order to work to the best of your abilities, you can't be stressed out all the time. Microsoft promotes taking time to do something fun once in a while and also encourages an active lifestyle with several organized sports leagues taking place after work. I played soccer with other interns and full-time employees almost three times a week. One day all of the developers on my team took a five-mile hike up nearby Mt. Teneriffe. Another great thing was free soft drinks and fruit juice in coolers of every Microsoft building; I miss that already.
Did your MSOE classes prepare you for the internship?
Definitely. One of the things my professors have always stressed is the importance of independent research and how crucial is it to be able to use resources and documentation to locate necessary information. I was dealing with the inner workings of the build environment, something that very few Microsoft employees are familiar with and there weren't a lot of people I could turn to for help, while those that I could had pretty busy schedules. One of the things I received very positive feedback on was my ability to pick up and learn new things quickly despite having very little to no previous experience. I attribute this largely to the way MSOE professors present material and it definitely pays off in the workplace.
You received a job offer from Microsoft. When do you start and what will you be doing?
I will be starting my full-time position as a software development engineer around mid August after taking some time off to relax after graduation (per Microsoft's recommendation). I will likely be back in the same product group although we were recently re-orged into the "Identity Team" and I will most likely be working more on the development side and less with the build environment like I was this summer.
Any fun stories to share from your summer?
It was definitely an exciting, event-filled summer. I was lucky to be present for the Office 365 launch, the celebration included a huge carnival taking up a large soccer field on the Microsoft campus complete with refreshments, games and carnival rides. Other fun events included a boat scavenger hunt on Lake Union, seeing the blue angels at Seattle's air and boat show Seafair, and a private concert with Seattle local Dave Matthews held at the Woodland Park Zoo.
Any advice for students in terms of getting an internship?
I realized that the worst thing about sending out my resume was only the possibility of never being contacted, so I figured it couldn't hurt to send my resume to big-name companies in addition to those around Milwaukee. Lucky for me, something piqued Microsoft's interest and I had this amazing experience. Our course load prepares for a wide range of jobs within the computer field and I would say if something interests you, don’t be afraid to pursue it.
It seemed to me Microsoft cared more about what you do in your free time than what you do in class and they like to see people staying active in their free time through clubs/organizations as well as other hobbies. I drew a lot of attention due to my hobby of web development, something that I personally found enjoyable and then put in the time and effort to learn. Microsoft and other large companies are looking for intelligent people who are determined and willing to think outside of the box, qualities that I'm sure the MSOE campus isn't lacking.