It’s with great honor, pride and responsibility that I announce that I’m officially a Microsoft Student Partner (MSP)!

Once it was asked, if I want to be a Microsoft Student Partner, I was a little bit reluctant because I wasn’t sure if I had the capacity, know-how and the profile for the task. But, even so, I accepted Ricado Calejo (last year MSP) invitation and I sent him my CV and presentation letter in order to apply for the 33 opened positions. Later on, Miguel Vicente (program manager) has contacted me explaining the program and asked for my presence in Microsoft Portuguese headquarters to be interviewed. The interview was a success and since that moment I’m a Microsoft Student Partner.

During the interview it was spoken about the Microsoft Mission and Values:

Our Mission

At Microsoft, our mission is to enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential. Everything we do reflects our mission and the values that make it possible.

Our Values

As a company, and as individuals, we value:

• Integrity and honesty.
• Passion for our customers, our partners, and technology.
• Openness and respectfulness.
• Taking on big challenges and seeing them through.
• Constructive self-criticism, self-improvement, and personal excellence.
• Accountability to customers, shareholders, partners, and employees for commitments, results, and quality.

I saw myself in these values and that told me that I’d like to be part of this team. This goes beyond all benefits that this “job” can bring me, because is what makes me feel at home and motivated inside an organization. We are all working for the same, with the same direction and always with stars on our eyes!

But, what’s a Microsoft Student Partner?

The Student Partners Program is an elite job opportunity offered to technology-enthusiastic students. Individuals that take part in this Microsoft student representative program understand and are passionate about Microsoft technologies and platforms. (…) Participating students share their knowledge and influence others by organizing a number of on-campus activities including technical presentations, and by increasing product awareness on campus. During the one-year commitment students will help plan, organize and execute launch events, tech-talks and other activities. Student Partners will become the voice of Microsoft on campus; they will be expected to interact with their peers as well as faculty and assist students with use of Microsoft technologies.

http://gaim.umbc.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/volt07.pdf

What are the qualifications needed:

Students considered for the program must be

• Passionate about technology
• Able to influence others
• Willing to share knowledge
• Proactive
• Outgoing, well-connected with his/her peers and faculty
• A good presenter, comfortable speaking in front of crowds
• Organized and responsible, independent and collaborative worker

http://gaim.umbc.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/volt07.pdf

I still don’t know if I have the capacity, know-how and the profile for the task, only time will tell, however I’ll do my best to not disappoint Microsoft bet on me.

Thank you for the chance and let’s work together. I’m looking forward to meet the other MSP’s and start working with them!