Aanandita Malik - Partner Development Manager at Microsoft
What were your responsibilities?
A PDM is responsible for 360 degree business relationships with Microsoft Partners assigned to them. As a PDM intern I was asked to lead an analysis of the Canadian ISV Landscape and identify key potential partners for the team to recruit in FY21 – in short, the next potential Canadian Unicorns!
What was a typical day at work?
While in the actual world there is no ‘typical day’ at work as such, with each day varying. In the virtual scenario, a typical day included spending time on my own research, speaking with SMEs to gain insights on specifics about the different industries and solution areas I was including in my project analysis. I would also often attend partner meetings with other PDMs to better understand the role. On Mondays we had a team weekly review and on Fridays I had my 1:1 with my Manager.
What was your favourite part of the internship?
As cliché as it may sound, my favourite part of the internship was the people & culture at Microsoft! Going into a virtual internship, I really did not expect to have the same level of interactions & connections as I would in regular circumstances. I was able to create meaningful relationships over the course of the summer across my immediate team, the larger organisation and across geographies.
What skills are important for this job?
Some of the most important skills required to be a successful PDM are - strategic thinking, relationship building and management, solution development, teamwork and collaboration, communication and presentation skills, amongst others.
What did you least expect going into the internship?
I was pleasantly surprised about the opportunity I had to create the amount of impact I did on my team and their planning for the next fiscal year with my project over the summer. I was given complete ownership of my project and the authority to design the direction I think necessary. It was a very fulfilling experience, knowing that the work I did over 4 months will create so many opportunities for the team, even after I left.
Any advice for first year MBA Students?
Be authentic and be open to the unexpected. Connect with people (upper years, alumni and other people in the industry) to learn more about the different opportunities in the market. Don’t rely only on information you get online and on job descriptions.
What did you do before your MBA?
Prior to the MBA, I helped launch and led marketing for Pandora jewellery in the India. Before that, I gained experience in marketing across industries such as technology, luxury retail & hospitality, fashion, banking and healthcare while working at a digital marketing agency and a tech start-up.
What are your post MBA goals?
Post the MBA, I do intend on pursuing a career in the Tech Industry as I thoroughly enjoy working in this industry and see great potential to create an impact.