If you’re reading this, it means I’ve officially been at Microsoft for one month.
On the 12th of May, 2025, I stepped into my role as a Business Development Manager (Intern) at Xbox — a moment that came with a mix of excitement, gratitude, and if I’m being honest, quite a bit of fear.
This was my first time working in big tech, and certainly my first experience in the gaming industry. I was nervous: unsure of what to expect, or whether I’d be able to find my footing in such a dynamic and fast-moving space.
But from day one, I was met with nothing but warmth and support. The team welcomed me with open arms. My managers, Annette Porter and James Lewis, took time to understand my goals, and honestly set me up for success. Even the people who interviewed me went above and beyond to ensure I felt seen and supported.
Coming into this internship nearly a decade into my professional career, I wasn’t sure what the experience would feel like. Would it feel like starting over? Would I be underestimated? Would it be worth it?
What I’ve found instead is a striking and refreshing contrast to past roles; including my 2 years graduate fellowship at the United Nations. This internship has shown me that starting something new doesn’t mean going backward… sometimes it means expanding. And this past month has been nothing short of incredible.
Embracing New Challenges
My first week was (obviously) a whirlwind: new acronyms, new dashboards, new rhythms. Coming from a policy and nonprofit background, I was suddenly navigating pipelines, Power BI reports, and internal tools I had only previously interacted with in my MBA classrooms. It was overwhelming, but it was also deeply invigorating.
What has made all the difference is the culture I entered into, and the contrast from my previous roles was immediate. At Microsoft, I was not just an intern: I was a Business Development Manager Intern. That title, especially in contrast with my previous experience at the United Nations, carries weight.
In many traditional institutions, onboarding can feel bureaucratic, and it’s easy to feel like a cog in a massive system.
When I joined the UN, despite already having four to five years of full-time professional experience, I was given the title Associate Evaluation Analyst. Not because I lacked capacity, but because the structure was rigid, deeply hierarchical and, at times, ageist. To carry the title Evaluation Analyst or Specialist, one had to meet specific criteria tied to age, years of service, and formal rank. Titles were tightly gated, and with them came limited autonomy and constrained access to meaningful work.
The U.S. Private sector, and specifically Microsoft is different. Within the Xbox team, I felt seen from the start. There was no sense of hierarchy shutting down access or slowing progress. Instead, there was a strong culture of intentionality around helping new hires land well and contribute quickly.
At Microsoft, even fresh graduates step into roles with “Manager” in their titles… not as a performative gesture, but as a reflection of the company’s belief in young people’s capacity to lead, build, and contribute. That shift in positioning sends a powerful message: not just about what the company sees in you, but about how you begin to see yourself.
What made all the difference for me was the team I landed in. From my managers to my mentors and fellow interns, everyone has been generous with their time, patient with my questions, and committed to helping me succeed. My manager encouraged me to lead with curiosity. My mentors shared insights not just about the work, but also about navigating a career in tech. And my peers brought a spirit of collaboration that made each conversation feel energizing.
With their help, I was able to set my priorities early, gain clarity on how my work fits into the larger Developer Acceleration Program, and spot areas where I could contribute meaningfully from day one. That sense of belonging and impact, right from the start, was something I hadn’t experienced in quite this way before.
Leveraging AI and Innovation
One of the most exciting aspects of my role is how seamlessly innovation is integrated into daily work. I’ve been using tools like Microsoft Copilot to synthesize insights, streamline data analysis, and navigate new systems like Dynamics CRM and Power BI with more ease.
It’s honestly surreal to experience firsthand what the future of work looks like… and to realize that this is not just theory, but the present. I truly do believe that AI is not replacing us (at least in the immediate term, nor in the ways that we think it is). It is enabling us to do better, faster, more meaningful work.
And that’s been a key theme of my first month: Working smarter, not harder.
‘Connect’ing and Networking
One of the biggest revelations this past month? For all the data, dashboards, and developer workflows: this internship has been, at its core, about relationships.
At Microsoft, we don’t just network, we connect. And not just metaphorically. One of the most intentional rhythms here is something we literally call a “Connect”: a structured one-on-one conversation with your manager to reflect, realign, and grow.
Fittingly, I’m preparing mine as I write this post.
From day one, I knew I wanted to connect—not just network in the traditional sense, but build context, community, and collaboration across the Xbox and broader Microsoft ecosystem. Thanks to an incredibly supportive management team and the power of AI tools that helped automate some of my workflows, I was able to invest time into one of the most rewarding parts of this experience: people.
I’ve had the chance to attend internal workshops, coffee chats, and learning events across Xbox and beyond. Every conversation; whether with fellow interns, product managers, engineers, or strategists has expanded my understanding of how Microsoft operates and, more importantly, why it operates the way it does. It’s been grounding to see how many people are mission-aligned, people-first, and actively building systems that include rather than exclude.
This for me has easily translated into impact. For my connect, I had 4 priorities, and I am presently reflecting on how I have aced my goal #4 beyond what I even aspired to do within just one month:
Core Priority 4: Gain knowledge and understanding of Microsoft and Xbox operations across business units and various roles
Focus: Build internal visibility and cross-functional knowledge by actively engaging in workshops, team meetings, and networking events; connect with professionals in different roles to understand Xbox’s broader strategy and operations.
Success Measures:
✅ Had 60+ (3+/- every single day) intentional and meaningful informational chats (goal was just 5) conversations so far—with team members across various functions to foster collaboration, broaden visibility, and increase contextual awareness of the business.
✅ Attended 10 (goal was 3) workshops or team-led learning sessions.
✅ Participated in 7 (goal was 2) company-hosted networking events.
All this reaching out and engaging has resulted in incredible outcomes that I hope to share with you in time. It hass been grounding to see how many people are mission-aligned, people-first, and actively building systems that include rather than exclude.
Supporting and Mentoring Fellow Interns
Maybe it’s the big sister in me, maybe it’s the community builder I’ve always been—but I quickly found myself setting up group chats and coffee catch-ups to help other (MBA) interns feel more grounded.
Internships can feel isolating when you’re dropped into a big system, even a supportive one. I was the first MBA intern to land at Xbox (as our MBA programme starts and therefore ends earlier); so I did what I know how to do: I gathered people. I created a Teams group that grew from one to now 7.
And what a gift that has been. Learning from each other, cheering each other on, and building a little collective of MBA minds within Xbox has honestly been one of the most fulfilling parts of the month.
Developing Inclusive Processes and Ensuring Security
On the work front, I’m contributing to weekly game review workflows. My manager has entrusted me to run the weekly team meetings (absolutely nerve-wrecking being in a new space, but she holds my hand through it all), and I am currently working on a proposal to automate PowerPoint presentations directly from our CRM data via Power BI. (Yes, I know that makes my role a little more obsolete—but that’s the point.)
Efficiency is only part of the goal. I’m also thinking about inclusion: how to ensure our internal tools accommodate diverse users; and security, especially when handling data from developers across the globe.
This internship is sharpening not just my technical skills, but my ethical lens and systems thinking.
***
One month down, and I genuinely actually feel like a sharper version of myself. I will complete my connect tomorrow.
There’s still so much more to explore: deeper dives into global expansion strategies, more creative thinking around developer engagement in emerging markets, and hopefully some bold ideas that make it all the way to leadership decks.
But for now, I’m pausing to take this in… with gratitude, joy, and excitement for what lies ahead.
Here’s to growing, building, and dreaming a little bolder every day.
with Gaming joy,
Ntha 🎮💚
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