As artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and emerging technologies continue to reshape industries, graduate students preparing for future careers require experiences that extend beyond the classroom. To help bridge that gap, Isenberg School of Management's Graduate Women in Business (GWIB), in collaboration with the UMass Amherst Graduate Student Government (GSG), partnered with Microsoft to provide graduate students with direct access to industry leaders, mentorship, and career development opportunities at Microsoft's New England Research & Development Center (NERD) in Burlington, Massachusetts, in April, 2026.
More than 50 graduate students representing business, analytics, engineering, public policy, and related disciplines participated in the immersive career development experience. The event was designed to help students connect academic learning with real-world innovation while exploring leadership, emerging technologies, and career pathways across one of the world's leading technology companies.
The collaboration brought together more than 16 Microsoft professionals from business, engineering, research, recruiting, and leadership teams, reflecting Microsoft's commitment to mentoring the next generation of talent. Throughout the day, students engaged in executive panel discussions, small-group mentorship conversations, recruiting sessions, and innovation center tours, gaining valuable insights into organizational culture, cross-functional collaboration, and the evolving skills needed in today's technology landscape.
Discussions covered a broad range of topics, including leadership in technology, career pathways in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, product innovation, and strategies for navigating career transitions. Students also participated in conversations focused on mentorship, professional growth, resume development, and recruiting, providing practical guidance as they prepare for careers across industries.
"Our goal wasn't simply to organize a company visit," said Alyssa Can Li '26MBA, President of Graduate Women in Business, who organized the event in partnership with Maureen (Mo) McGuinness, adjunct faculty member at Isenberg. "We wanted students to experience how innovation, leadership, and collaboration come together inside a global technology company while building authentic relationships that can shape their future careers."
For many students, one of the most valuable aspects of the experience was the opportunity to engage in candid conversations with Microsoft professionals in smaller mentorship settings. Participants asked questions about leadership growth, career transitions, workplace culture, and navigating opportunities within the technology industry. Others highlighted the importance of building meaningful professional relationships and learning directly from leaders representing diverse functional backgrounds.
The Microsoft collaboration builds upon GWIB's broader commitment to expanding experiential learning opportunities for graduate students. Earlier this academic year, the organization hosted Tech Fusion, an interdisciplinary event designed to increase technology confidence, strengthen career readiness, and introduce graduate students to emerging opportunities in data, consulting, and technology-driven industries.
Together, these initiatives reflect Isenberg's commitment to connecting graduate education with industry, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, and creating meaningful experiences that prepare students to lead in a rapidly evolving global workforce. By bringing together students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners, GWIB continues to strengthen the bridge between classroom learning and professional practice while expanding access to mentorship, innovation, and lifelong career connections.