Eight University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno students are spending their summers developing real-world skills and capabilities through business internships with Microsoft Licensing, GP. Microsoft Licensing has worked closely with University during the company’s eleven years in Reno to build a strong academic-corporate relationship and continues to build that relationship. With several University alumni employed at Microsoft Licensing, this year the company takes a further step by offering an intern program for senior and graduate-level students, which provides a blueprint to develop local talent and provide opportunities to retain talent staying in Reno.
“This program is great for both organizations,” said Greg Mosier, dean of the College of Business at the University. “College of Business students have an opportunity to work for an outstanding, global company with a growing ÁùºÏ±¦µä presence. The hands on learning experience makes these students better prepared to meet the demands of life beyond college. Microsoft Licensing participates in facilitating the education of our students and has the opportunity to evaluate them as potential long term employees.”
Microsoft Licensing launched its intern program in April and landed eight students from the University for the first run. Bilen Wecheffo Mammo, Glenn Peguese, Jeff Marshall, Jenny Foley, Joy Mahaviriyakul, Lori Powell and Raylene Segura are seven of the interns, from a field of more than 50 University applicants. They joined Microsoft Licensing in June as full-time interns and will be on staff through the end of the calendar year. To provide a valuable experience for both the company and the students, each intern has been assigned to specific teams and projects across disciplines in channel management, contract management, supply chain, finance, and Information Technology operations.
“I am studying Business Management with a focus in Supply Chain Management/Logistics,” Foley, a senior graduating in December said. “My internship gives me insight into a live supply chain operation. I have had several opportunities for practical application of the different skills and knowledge I have gathered throughout my education. It is rewarding to discover the hard work and time spent in and out of class is, in fact, beneficial and applicable to the real world. This has given me the confidence to contribute and make a difference here at Microsoft.”
Microsoft Licensing’s intern program is a carefully monitored real-life working and learning experience where interns are supervised and mentored by professionals in each focus area. The learning agenda is embedded throughout the course of the internship. A learning feedback mechanism is designed to help interns to achieve their learning goals and build confidence in addition to learning industry knowledge and developing professional skills and networks. Interns will work 20 hours per week during school time; a full-time work schedule is followed during school breaks. The company has made an effort to maintain a balance between achieving individual learning goals and specific work deliverables required by the assignment that distinctively differentiates Microsoft Licensing’s intern program from other internships offered in the industry. At the same time, the company looks at the internships as a way to develop market-ready candidates in the local community.
“Developing workforce talent locally is an important part of our future and our community’s growth,” explains Mary Ellen Smith, general manager of Microsoft Licensing. “Supporting local education is key to Microsoft’s focus on workforce development, and we have a number of projects and programs that sponsor local elementary, high school and university-level students.
As interns at Microsoft, these eight students carry real responsibility, real work, and real opportunities to jumpstart their careers, and their assignments have the potential to be utilized long after they return to the classroom or move on to other opportunities.”
Microsoft Licensing currently offers internship opportunity in the following seven disciplines: Channel Management, Financial Planning and Analysis, General administrative, IT operations, Operations leadership, Program Management, and Supply Chain. Through promoting academic growth, career and personal development, Microsoft Licensing aims to expand its investments to help the local community to grow local talent and retain talent in Reno area. In addition to its intern program, Microsoft Licensing is actively involved in other programs to support local education such as the five annual scholarships it awards to Truckee Meadows Community College and UNR students, sponsorship of the Run for Education and its support of Project Safeguard to secure local elementary playground facilities.
Microsoft Licensing, GP, headquartered in Reno, Nev. since 1997, enables organizations, large and small, to acquire, distribute and utilize Microsoft’s vast array of products, including software, hardware and services. Microsoft Licensing employs approximately 500 professionals across 22 states and supports Microsoft’s operations for OEM, Volume Licensing, XBOX and Dynamics throughout North & South America. Microsoft Licensing and its employees contribute to the communities in which we live by emphasizing support efforts for education, youth organizations, diversity initiatives and disadvantaged communities to advance their information technology programs. For more information, please visit Microsoft Licensing.
