Starting My Career @ Microsoft As a 22-Year Old

This past August, I began my career at Microsoft, with a jumpstart in the Microsoft Accelerated Connections and Experiences (ACE) Rotation Program. This two-year program is designed to broaden perspectives, build strong communities, and strengthen marketing skill sets. I, along with 32 others, have the opportunity to grow as young professionals in a fast-paced environment. We are placed on a team for one year during each rotation and assigned a manager, mentor, onboarding buddy, and career coach!

I am in my first year rotation on the Digital Stores team, serving Microsoft.com as a Product Marketing Manager. This role can do a mix of things from researching the market, developing messaging, conducting competitive analysis, and driving demand. It is super exciting and pushes me out of my comfort zone with the exposure to data analytics. Each week, I am working on my projects and participating in meetings where I learn more about the engineering side of website development.

In my role, I focus on developing in four core project areas:

1. Lead communications initiative through a bi-weekly newsletter sharing the project status and progression of combined team efforts. Ensure content is written on time and delivered for approval. 

2. Draft a long-term project outline for the website alongside my manager and conduct monthly check-ins. Present final project to Digital Stores team and execute proposed strategy in collaboration with engineering.

3. Guide meetings and regularly communicate the project status to stakeholders, senior leadership, and team members. Maintain a list of topics for monthly presentations and assist in content readiness.

4. Participated in company Diversity and Inclusion initiatives by joining employee resource groups and participating in team awareness activities.

5. Develop 1–5-year career plan that identifies needed skills, core experiences, and learning opportunities to drive growth. Build connections with professionals and conduct informative interviews.

Yes, I know that was a mouth full.

The overall Microsoft marketing roles fall on a broad spectrum between technical and creative. The titles for employees may be the same but their day-to-day responsibilities can look completely different. For example, I am currently in a more technical role in product marketing, which collaborates more with engineers and product managers. A creative role may support the Instagram social media account and partner with an advertising agency or review and edit blogs for employee experiences before approval.

There is an abundance of opportunity within the marketing space. Here are most of the teams you could be placed on at Microsoft: 

• AI + Innovation 

• Communications

• Brand, Research and Advertising

• Gaming

• Retail Stores

• Modern Life

• Consumer Sales

• Events

• Commercial

Interested in marketing at Microsoft?  

• Read more about the program here.

• Learn the Microsoft products, services and audiences. 

• Brainstorm what transferable skills you have to offer from past work experiences and make sure it shows on your resume and cover letter.

• Network, network, network. Hop on LinkedIn and set up coffee chats with interns and employees to learn about their experiences and tips for applying.