Graduate Student Profile: Tara Hellier

"I currently work as a Partner Technology Specialist at Microsoft, Reading. My role involves providing technical pre-sales support to Microsoft's UK partners. I currently specialise in 4 Microsoft technologies; I learn the technical details of each product and then assist partners by helping them gain the skills and qualifications they need for a particular product. I also support partners by working with them to deliver technical demonstrations to their customers.

My role is great as I get the chance to engage with partners face-to-face, but also have a very strong technical focus, giving me the chance to put to use some of the knowledge I learned while completing my degree. Although development is not part of my role, at Microsoft we're encouraged to increase our knowledge and experience, so I spend some of my time learning to code Microsoft applications.

Working in the technology industry is very enjoyable. There are so many opportunities available, both within and outside Microsoft, and in the future I'll have the opportunity to radically change my job role but still remain within the technology industry. I've particularly enjoyed going into a graduate role in a very large multi-national company, as it has given me the opportunity to meet and learn from many people who are experts in their field."