Education News: Top Stories

More computer students hired by Microsoft

The M.U.M. Review Translate This Article
11 April 2006

Students in the Computer Professionals Program are being hired by Microsoft at an increasing rate, with a total of 55 current students and 17 graduates working there as of mid-March.

According to Don Chell, director of placement, the rate of Microsoft hires is now steady, at about one student per week, and sometimes two or three.

The students enter the program and study on campus for 6-7.5 months, learning state-of-the-art skills. They are then placed in a practicum in a U.S. company. They gain practical experience while finishing their M.S. in computer science via distance education over the next two years.

Mr. Chell said that the average starting salary for the students is around $54,000, and $60,000 for those working at Microsoft.

Speaking of the enthusiasm of companies for hiring the Computer Professionals students, Mr. Chell said that they 'hardly think twice about hiring someone from here because the track record has been so good. Once we got in the door, it snowballed.'

He said that the students have just the kind of preparation that the companies are looking for. That includes their study here as well as their prior work experience.

'We are loving your students here so please let me know if you have anyone else who wants to move to Redmond and is interested in contract positions with Excell at one of the world's largest software companies,' said Jaimie Mohan, a technical recruiter who has been placing students. 'Your students have excellent technical skills, especially in the cutting-edge technologies that hiring managers are looking for. Most of all, your students have been great to work with. They are friendly and flexible and motivated to interview and get placed.'

Those admitted to the program often have prior professional experience in .Net, C#, and software testing, skills especially valued by Microsoft. Mr. Chell said that many of the Ethiopian students in particular have this skill set and background and, consequently, quite a large group of them is working at Microsoft.

In addition, the current job market is strong, and students are able to get placed more quickly now than before, typically in about one or two months.

There are a total of about 250 students now working in practicum positions around the country. Also, about 250 have graduated from the program.

Resumes for current job candidates can be found at http://usawork.com. There are currently about 40 students who are interviewing for jobs.

More information about the program can be found on the Internet at http://www.mum.edu/compro.

Copyright © 2006, Maharishi University of Management

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