Summer Internship with Microsoft IDC – Gaurav Aggarwal from Delhi College of Engineering
Daily Winner for: – 1st September 2011
Name of the intern: – Gaurav Aggarwal
Institute: – Delhi College of Engineering
Organization interned with: – Microsoft IDC
I would like to put it this way
Miracles happen every day, change your perception of what a miracle is and you’ll see them all around you. In 2 months I got a pre placement offer @Microsoft + 2.6 lac + exposure in Microsoft & Google Summer of Code
So, you want to know how I did this?
Well I was selected in Microsoft IDC through an on-campus process after 5 rounds (1 written + 4 interview mostly DS based). At Microsoft I was offered a stipend of Rs 50K. In addition to Microsoft I also participated in Google Summer of Code with Interface Ecology Lab A&M Texas University, due to which I got 5000 $.
First of all I would like to make it clear that my intern project + GSoC worked out because I completed most of my GSoC project prior to joining Microsoft and thereafter I used to devote just one full day (10-12 hrs) for GSoC project.
Mine was 8 Week summer dev intern in Microsoft IDC Hyderabad during which I was a part of Search STCI. Details of my project are confidential, so sorry about that. But all in all it was a great experience. Microsoft provided us with 15 day stay in a Guest House. Cabs and Buses were available. During first 2-3 weeks workload wasn’t much most of the time was devoted in understanding project details and under infrastructure. There were lots of exciting intern event during 3rd week including intern photo shoot and dinner. I was really impressed with outlook and lync (http://lync.microsoft.com).
Working hours were flexible; you’re supposed to deliver your commitments irrespective of how many hours you devote in office. In Microsoft I was expected to work on multiple internal technologies so I had to keep learning new things every day. I worked with many large scale search technologies. Best part about Microsoft is the people. I got opportunity to work with some really awesome people. Work culture is so informal that I used to call my team admin and manager by first name (They asked me to do so). I loved working there although this was my first time working in such big organization.
There were lots of seminars and conferences to attend. Microsoft’s campus can be described in just one word ‘fabulous’. We had almost all sorts of games to play from cricket and football to foosball and Xbox kinnect. We received many intern goodies as well like T-shirts, bags, etc. After final review of my project I was recommended for a Pre Placement Interview by my manager. I faced 4 rounds (tech + project) before getting an offer from Microsoft.
For GSoC, there are just 2 ways to get in. First one is to have a good project application with strong background experience on your resume and the other one is to start early (somewhere in Jan) by targeting selected organizations, fixing bugs, etc (try and create your presence in community). I was lucky enough to be selected on the basis of my application since I had a strong background in web technologies and algorithm development.
As I have already mentioned I started my GSoC project early and continued it with regular effort. Please note that I managed my time well, since I visited most of tourist places in Hyderabad and attended many parties.
All in all I am really interested in continuing my GSoC project further and contributing to pen sources. For those of you who are interested in GSoC do check out http://socghop.appspot.com.
At the end of my internship I feel more mature and ready to take a new challenge.
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