From campus to consultant

Rebecca Dineen joined Microsoft through the Aspire Graduate program following university. "The technology consultant role gives me opportunities to use my problem-solving skills, work in teams, and use my technical coding skills," she shares. Her journey showcases how fresh graduates can quickly grow into impactful technical roles.

Creating impact through marketing

For Amber Joy, who joined as a Channel Marketing Manager Intern straight from A-levels, Microsoft's commitment to professional growth was a major draw. "I knew this was the environment I thrived in and therefore was looking for a company that strived on professional growth alongside developing soft skills through Employee Resource Groups or stretch projects," she explains. "Just from reading about the company and doing the job interview, I quickly understood that the people at Microsoft were kind, caring and supportive and I knew I'd fit right in."

Leading data centre innovation

Hoi-Key Tham's journey to becoming a Site Acquisition Manager demonstrates the transformative opportunities at Microsoft. "Assuming the role of Site Acquisition Manager has significantly impacted my professional progression, presenting unique challenges and plentiful opportunities," she reflects. "It has refined my capacity to operate independently and highlighted the significance of collaborative effort. I've mastered the art of managing various stakeholders, balancing tactful diplomacy, strategic planning, and aligning disparate objectives toward a unified aim."

Engineering talent pioneer

Jonny Kaye's transition from a traditional recruitment agency to Microsoft as a Senior Talent Sourcer reflects the dynamic nature of tech careers. "What brought me to Microsoft was having the opportunity to do what I love (recruiting senior and hard to find talent) but being able to represent an organisation, as a peer and partnering with the incredible senior Engineering management we have here. I wanted to deepen my knowledge of technology, and apply my skills whilst working with the best of the best in the IT industry."

From technical expert to people leader

Jon Cawte's evolution from Support Engineer to Support Engineering Manager exemplifies how Microsoft nurtures diverse career aspirations. Starting in Azure SQL Database support in 2018, Jon discovered Microsoft's genuine culture of openness and sharing. Through roles as a Technical Advisor and participation in the Aspiring People Managers program, he found his calling in leadership.

"The biggest takeaway for me in terms of the career path is to go with what you feel and enjoy," Jon reflects. "Don't let your preconceptions about what you should do get in the way of what you could do." His journey from technical expert to people manager showcases how Microsoft supports employees in exploring new directions and following their passions.