Students vote Microsoft top employer for undergraduates

Students have named Microsoft as the best employer for undergraduates in the UK.

The technology company scored highly on a staff member’s day-to-day role and responsibilities, the firm itself and social opportunities, in Ratemyplacement’s annual guide.

The guide analyses all the student-written reviews on Ratemyplacement.co.uk relating to large companies that offer placements, internships, vacation schemes and “insights” (short-term placements).

Microsoft took the top spot, beating Bank of America Merrill Lynch, accounting firm Grant Thornton, Warner Bros and recruitment company Hays.

Jacqui Lloyd, Microsoft’s Early in Career Programme Manager, said: “Our interns are incredibly important to our business, not just because of the pipeline of future talent they create for our business, including our graduate roles, but also because of the huge value they add to their teams and the considerable impact they make within the company.

“Year on year, we successfully attract and hire the most talented individuals who bring unique insights, passion, creativity and a fresh perspective to Microsoft. The success of our programme is firmly built on some strong foundations – we understand the importance of providing a strong start in the form of a thorough and tailored induction.  We create opportunities for growth and development, in the stretch projects we offer and we work hard to build a strong sense of community, through the programme events that we deliver.

“Winning this award is so important to us, and is testament to the quality of the experience that we offer. We have fantastic intern managers, that we need to thank for heling us achieve this accolade. They continue to work hard to support our interns and empower them by giving them real job roles, with tangible responsibility and accountability.”

Ratemyplacement’s guide

According to Ratemyplacement’s findings, Microsoft has 70 “placement” vacancies – where students work for a company for a full academic year before returning to university – in a variety of roles such as software engineering, sales marketing and corporate affairs, in London, Reading and Edinburgh. Salary and benefits start at £17,000.

Successful applicants receive mentoring and coaching, and can take part in charity projects and external events.

Interns run corporate citizenship projects during their time at Microsoft, providing career advice to young people and creating a 12-week traineeship for unemployed youngsters with one of the company’s Learning Partners. Interns also host workshops to help charities understand digital transformation.

Anastasia Hill, who was a sales intern at Microsoft while studying international business at University of Kent, said she was never seen as “just the intern”.

“I felt extremely privileged during my placement to be trusted with so much responsibility,” she said. “I led projects with stakeholders from our customers to the UK Leadership Team, all in just a year.

“Throughout the year the team overwhelmed me with their support and constant offers of learning and shadowing opportunities. Microsoft also has incredible graduate opportunities in the UK and abroad. After you finish your intern year you are encouraged to apply for a graduate role and continue to make an impact.”

This is the seventh year Ratemyplacement, which boasts more than 30,000 reviews on its site, has run its guide.