Microsoft a dream destination for many engineering students, but realizable only to a select few was kind enough to give me a sneak peek into the world of sophisticated yet fun software development. Two months that remain and will always be the most cherished period of anyone who has been an intern at Microsoft can be described in 3 words, Play Work Freak-out.
For most of us it was the first time we ventured out of the house to live away, boy was the change so easy to accept. Making new friends from around the country was a real different feeling and experience. Not to mention the exchange of ideas on so many different topics from gaming to geek talk, the whole concept clicked so well. From a bunch of UG students that joined 2 months ago we leave as semi-professionals that have lived the best of both worlds over the first half of the year.
Interning at Microsoft Corporation has been an enjoyable experience from the first moment we entered office to get our temporary ID’s. The rapport that the FT shares with the interns who they just got to know is unbelievably comforting. Not to mention their readiness to play different sports with the interns. The environment was always so lively at work. It had the perfect blend of relaxation and fun. Work used to happen at its own good pace while the fun factor was never let to drop with constant visits to the Foosball table, pool table and TT. From amateurs to pretty good players at the end of the intern stint in each of the above mentioned was only possible by the regular practice that we got every time we took a break from work. The facility in the campus is nothing short of awesome. Beautiful sports facilities both indoor and outdoor, the Tennis court and Basketball court are up to the mark and provide amazing playing experience, not to forget the huge football field and the amazing lighting to facilitate evening games. Well maintained and well used, Microsoft gave me the perfect opportunity to develop as a sportsperson and programmer. The food is something that I was really worried about when I first came to Hyderabad but as it turns out the cafeterias have superb food at such affordable prices hence rendering the food problem non-existent. The pantry is one of the greatest installations I must say, few yards away from the cubicles; it was a quick source of refreshments.
The lack of timings I felt would actually never make me work, but as it turns out I was wrong. I actually made myself pretty regular at everything I did and maintained a healthy plan for everyday right from waking up early, having my daily dose of physical exercises to working when it mattered and developing my outdoor sports skills. This place made me learn that with Flexibility we assume automatic responsibility. The freedom at Microsoft is something almost every individual working in any other company would crave for. The trust that the company shows on its employees is actually an incentive for us to hold their trust in us and not violate the very few rules that are laid on us. Rules that are the bare minimum for any organization to function.
The fun did not stop inside the office, it just continued till late night every day invariably. The location of the guesthouse was so perfect that we were well connected to almost every part of the city, with just a bus to reach them quick. Weekends are actually a bit damp until afternoon when the outside fun begins again. Not going to office on weekends actually made a huge void in our schedule, no we’re not workaholics; the office has its own fun things to offer. It’s funny when people say they miss office, but it’s a fact when you are an intern at MSIT.
Overall the best experience that I have had till date and probably the best for a long time to come, a period that will remain engraved in my thoughts forever. The place to work is Microsoft, undoubtedly the best in the industry in terms of productivity and employee satisfaction.
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