Please briefly describe your background prior to Haas
I am from Beijing, China, and I went my undergrad at the University of Washington in Seattle, where I majored in International Studies. After graduation, I returned to China and worked there for about 6 years in the tech and insurance industries.
During my first job at DXC Technology in Beijing, I took on a wide range of roles and responsibilities in tech. As the project manager for introducing a U.S. insurance software to the Chinese market, I led a global developer team to localize the software. I also collaborated with global product and marketing teams to develop go-to-market strategies and AI partnerships with Chinese vendors. Towards the end, I was involved in presales and sales, pitching the product to our insurance clients.
After completing that project, I joined AIA, where I work in an operations strategy role. In this position, I strategize business solutions for AI chatbots, robocalls, and service platforms to enhance the efficiency and customer experience of our service operations.
What industries and functions did you recruit for and why?
I recruited for both consulting and tech PMM roles. Through my pre-MBA networking, I learned that consulting offers the broadest range of future career options and is generally more supportive of international students who need sponsorship. PMM is my plan B. Based on my previous work experience, I am particularly drawn to the strategy and storytelling aspects of the role. PMM is a perfect balance, requiring both strategic thinking around product-market fit and creativity. One of my favorite experiences was positioning the product our team developed and driving customer adoption and engagement.
Briefly describe how you approached recruiting. Anything worked particularly well for you?
When recruiting for PMM roles, I believe the resume is the most important factor in determining whether you get an interview invite. Having an extremely tailored resume for the dream companies you apply to is a must. Employers want to see if you have relevant experience for the role you're applying to and if you can bring additional skills that will set you and the company up for future success.
Take my application for the Microsoft PMM role as an example. I demonstrated that I have both B2B and B2C product marketing experience, covering the marketing 4Ps (Pricing, Product, Placement, and Promotion). Communicating your experience in PMM language, both in your resume and interviews, can resonate well with employers. Here are a few strategies that worked well for me:
- I spoke with two peer advisors who were PMMs and connected with around five PMM alumni. Understanding the role and responsibilities of a PMM in real life helped me gain a holistic view, despite the fact that different companies may define the role differently.
- I reviewed about 20-30 PMM job descriptions online. This helped me identify key terms to incorporate into my resume and build my behavioral stories around them.
- AI is a trend that every major tech company is embracing. I highlighted how some of my previous experiences align with their future direction, which helped me stand out in interviews.
Briefly introduce your internship company and your team
I interned at Microsoft as a PMM this summer at its Redmond office in Seattle. I am part of the Microsoft MBA PMM Aspire Program, which forms a cohort of approximately 37 MBA students each year to rotate through PMM roles within Microsoft's marketing organization. We have the opportunity to rotate through four different PMM roles over the course of the summer internship and the first year after joining full-time. This summer, I completed my first rotation with the Azure Customer Success Marketing team.
Briefly describe your summer project or job description
The project I worked on involved developing a marketing strategy for AI skilling targeted at developers in large enterprises, with the goal of increasing reach and engagement. I analyzed the current demand for AI skilling by leveraging third-party research, conducting competitor analysis, and recommending actions to close AI skilling gaps. Additionally, I provided strategies to position Microsoft as a leader in the AI skilling space.
Fun facts about the company
The support system at Microsoft is amazing. As interns, each of us was assigned a manager, a mentor, and a buddy. Additionally, there is a PMM Aspire MBA Committee, run by past MBA interns, that organized weekly office hours, career panels with the CMO, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) panels, social events every Friday, and short weekend trips such as baseball games, sailing, and happy hours. It was incredibly well-organized and supportive.
Microsoft invests heavily in its employees' success. From an educational standpoint, we were encouraged to earn Microsoft Certifications for free. Microsoft also has a university-like library and offers access to a wide range of digital resources where you can find books for personal reading or gather information for projects. For instance, I requested my manager to procure a $7K third-party research report for my AI skilling market research.
From a health and wellness perspective, I participated in a few mindfulness sessions with coaches to help balance life and work. We were also provided with an additional stipend to spend on health and wellness items, such as fitness clothes or gym memberships.
Thoughts / reflections on your internship
I thoroughly enjoyed my internship. The work I did was impactful, and the people I interacted with were fantastic. The team was diverse in both culture and professional backgrounds, and they genuinely valued and respected every contribution I made.
Closing thoughts or advice
I understand that recruiting can be stressful, as I was in your shoes during my first year. As international students, we often face more hurdles than domestic students. However, remember that you bring unique experiences and perspectives that are valuable. Recruiting is also an opportunity for self-exploration. Over time, you’ll gain more clarity about your strengths and the goals you want to work toward. It’s okay if you don’t have everything figured out at the beginning. As long as you strategize, stay organized, and take action, you will succeed eventually!