Assignment: Part 1 - Company Research Paper And Part 2 - Moc ✓ Solved

Assignment: Part 1 - Company Research Paper and Part 2 - Moc

Part 1: Research a company you would like to work for in the future and write a 1-2 page paper answering as many questions as you can with the following prompts:

  • Name of company
  • Location(s) and contact information
  • Company's mission statement
  • Company history
  • Relevant news about the company
  • Name of person in charge of hiring or head of the department
  • Past, present, and future projects
  • Desired job
  • Description of duties
  • Skills/abilities/personality characteristics of the ideal candidate

Formatting: 12-point Times New Roman; include a header with your name, date, COMM 1100 - section number, and the title Company Research Paper.

Part 2: Mock Interview

Complete a 5-6 minute mock interview via Zoom with the instructor. Be prepared to answer 2–3 questions chosen by the instructor and to use the STAR method for behavioral questions. You should also prepare to ask one question of the interviewer based on the document '10 Questions to Ask an Employer'.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction. For this paper, I selected Microsoft Corporation as the target organization because its global footprint,持续创新 culture, and prominent role in cloud computing, productivity software, and artificial intelligence provide a rich context for evaluating fit and readiness for a career in technology leadership. The company’s mission—“to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more”—offers a compelling frame for aligning personal strengths with organizational impact (Microsoft, 2023). This alignment is essential for a job candidate who seeks not only technical skill development but also meaningful problem solving at scale (Microsoft, 2023).

Company overview and location. Microsoft is headquartered in Redmond, Washington, with a global presence spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond. The company maintains a broad ecosystem of products and services, including Azure cloud services, Microsoft 365, Windows, LinkedIn, and hardware initiatives. The official corporate materials emphasize openness to collaboration and a customer-centric approach that guides product strategy and go-to-market decisions (Microsoft, 2023). The mission statement and public-facing materials position Microsoft as a platform for societal and organizational enablement, which resonates with many early-career professionals who want to contribute to scalable, impact-focused projects (Microsoft, 2023).

History and evolution. Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, growing from a software license model into a diversified technology leader. Over the decades, the company shifted from core operating systems to cloud services, artificial intelligence, and a portfolio that integrates productivity software, developer tools, and devices. The evolution is documented in the company’s historical narrative and annual reporting, which illustrate a trajectory from software licensing to platforms that power a wide range of enterprise solutions (Microsoft, 2023; Microsoft, 2023). This historical context is important for understanding how roles at Microsoft may evolve with technology trends and business strategy (Microsoft, 2023).

Recent and relevant news. A major milestone in recent years was Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a deal that expanded its footprint in gaming and interactive experiences and underscored its commitment to an diversified portfolio across consumer and enterprise markets. Coverage from Reuters confirms the development and its implications for the company’s competitive positioning in entertainment, hardware, and software ecosystems (Reuters, 2023). Separately, Microsoft has been at the forefront of large-scale AI investments and productizing AI capabilities—most notably through collaborations with OpenAI and the integration of AI capabilities into Bing, Copilot, and Azure offerings. The OpenAI partnership has been widely reported as reinforcing Microsoft’s AI strategy and platform leadership (OpenAI, 2023; CNBC, 2024).

Hiring leadership and talent strategy. The organization’s leadership page identifies Kathleen Hogan as Chief People Officer, responsible for global talent strategy, culture, and people operations. This leadership role is central to acquiring and developing the software engineering and product talent that drives Microsoft’s innovation engine (Microsoft Leadership, 2023). Understanding the HR and recruiting leadership context helps frame expectations about organizational culture, performance management, and career development pathways for applicants.

Past, present, and future projects. Microsoft’s project portfolio encompasses cloud computing with Azure, productivity and collaboration tools (Microsoft 365), developer tools, and hardware initiatives such as Surface devices. The company continues to invest in AI-infused software, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise solutions that enable digital transformation across industries (Microsoft, 2023). Future-oriented work for a candidate may involve roles linked to cloud-native software development, AI/ML product design, data engineering, cybersecurity, or product management—areas that align with Microsoft’s strategic priorities and market opportunities (Microsoft, 2023; Microsoft, 2024).

Desired job description and candidate profile. For the purposes of this paper, the target role is a software engineering position focused on cloud platform services (Azure) and AI-enabled features. Typical duties would include designing scalable software components, collaborating with cross-functional teams (product, design, security), writing clean and maintainable code, participating in code reviews, and contributing to operational excellence in deployment pipelines. The ideal candidate would demonstrate strong systems thinking, proficiency in at least one major programming language (e.g., C#, Java, Python), experience with cloud architectures, and the ability to translate customer needs into robust technical solutions. Soft skills such as collaboration, adaptability, and effective communication are highly valued in Microsoft’s culture (Microsoft, 2023; Microsoft Careers, 2023).

Concluding synthesis. The Microsoft case illustrates how a candidate can bridge technical capability with strategic organization fit. A successful applicant would align personal strengths with Microsoft’s mission to empower users and organizations, leverage the company’s cloud and AI initiatives to deliver impact at scale, and navigate a culture that emphasizes collaboration, continuous learning, and ethical innovation (Microsoft, 2023; Indeed Editorial Team, 2023). Employing the STAR method during the interview process can help articulate concrete examples of past performance, problem-solving, and teamwork in complex, real-world scenarios (Indeed Editorial Team, 2023). Additionally, asking a thoughtful question—such as one drawn from the “10 Questions to Ask an Employer” resource—demonstrates curiosity, preparation, and strategic thinking (Indeed Editorial Team, 2023).

References

  1. Microsoft. (2023). About Microsoft. Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/about
  2. Microsoft. (2023). Our History. Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/about/history
  3. Microsoft. (2023). Careers. Retrieved from https://careers.microsoft.com
  4. Microsoft Leadership. (2023). Kathleen Hogan, Chief People Officer. Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/leadership/bio/kathleen-hogan
  5. Reuters. (2023). Microsoft completes Activision Blizzard acquisition. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com
  6. CNBC. (2024). Microsoft’s AI strategy and product roadmap. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com
  7. OpenAI. (2023). Microsoft and OpenAI partnership and investments. Retrieved from https://www.openai.com
  8. Microsoft. (2023). Azure cloud services. Retrieved from https://azure.microsoft.com
  9. Indeed Editorial Team. (2023). STAR Interview Technique: How to answer behavioral interview questions. Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com
  10. Microsoft. (2023). Responsible AI. Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ai/responsible-ai

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