The feedback for the open day held at Microsoft Campus Reading showed what a great time the students had. The students really valued the chance to meet and talk to employees without the pressure of being there for an interview. Presentations from grad scheme entrants and students showed the variety of roles available. The HR team set up an assessment centre role play exercise with students playing assessor and assessed. Helen Duguid, the leadership coach working with Set to Lead, helped the students interview senior manager, Andrew Oliva-Hauxwell about his journey into leadership.

At one feeble answer from Andrew, Helen asked the interrogator if she was happy with the reply and she replied, “no, not really”. So Helen urged her to have another go until she got an answer that satisfied her!

The day was action packed with plenty of time for networking and chat –  lunch was flooded with Microsoft employees to ensure that everyone got the chance to ask questions about being interviewed, how to choose a job and make general enquiries about what it’s like working in IT.

The video material of the project will be edited over the summer and we look forward to sharing it with you soon!

We are still looking for hosts for teh next two open days so do get in touch if you would like to learn more!

Set to Lead is underway. The Microsoft open day is fast approaching and is full, with some places becoming available daily as we get cancellations – so do make sure you sign onto the waiting list.

The first round-table discussions are also set in place for 28 and 30 June. 28 June is a call for academics involved in developing and or delivering leadership and team skills to STEM undergraduates and the 30 June is a call for STEM employers: technical recruitment managers, HR and talent managers as well as leadership specialists to join us to look at current leadership models, resources, training and visionaries to help inform the development of a workshop for STEM academics and undergraduates. Interested? do get in touch or sign up on the registration page.

Second Open Day Event Announced! – Microsoft Campus on 10th June 2011

The day is aimed at 2nd or 3rd year female undergraduates and will include tips on how to make your CV stand out and how to succeed at Assessment Days and interviews.

You will have a chance to network with key female engineers, gain insight into developing your leadership skills and try out some of Microsoft’s latest technology in technical demo’s.

Spaces on the Microsoft Open Day are filling fast so register now on Eventbrite at www.leadershipmicrosoft.eventbrite.com  to secure your place.

Women in IT Microsoft Open Day event 10 June