March 20, 2014

IT giant Microsoft visits UOW to recruit students

One of the world's largest IT companies visited campus last week to headhunt students.

Budding computer technicians and software engineers heard from one of Microsoft’s own head hunters during an information session at UOW on 20 March. 

Dona Sarkar, Windows Operating System Principal Engineering Manager, is both a tech expert and a recruiter who has hired hundreds of people across all technical disciplines for Microsoft, one of the world’s biggest tech companies. 

Ms Nuala O’Donnell from UOW’s Careers Central, said Sarkar’s presentation was invaluable for ICT students who have set their sights on working for big name software development companies. 

“Our guest speaker [shared] her perspectives from ‘behind the scenes’ on how students can best navigate the recruitment processes of the world’s top tech companies to how to excel in an interview.”

Technology companies often take an opportunity to connect with universities that are known to produce skilled graduates in relevant fields – it’s about securing their talent pipeline, Ms O’Donnell said.

Microsoft is actively recruiting for vacancies within their US and Australian offices and the company will be accepting resumes on the night.

“They are specifically targeting computer science and computer engineering students in their last two years of their undergraduate studies, in a Master’s or PhD program, but all students were welcome to attend the talk.”

Campus recruitment activities are valuable for both the students, who get the opportunity to gain insight into the career they are pursuing, and for the companies that are working to secure their talent pipeline, Ms O’Donnell said.

 “Coming on to campus is the most effective way of reaching their target market while also building and reinforcing brand awareness."