Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Student Ambassador community voices: Becoming a Student Ambassador

In October, we welcomed the latest group of Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors into the community.  This time in Community Voices, we asked them to share their experiences upon receiving news that they were selected to be a Student Ambassador and what their plans are.

 

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

 

When you found out you were accepted into the community, what were you doing, and how did you feel?

 

Many students were checking their emails for exam schedules or results when they learned the news of their acceptance and unanimously felt elated and excited. There was a lot of jumping for joy that occurred!

 

There wasn’t a day where I didn’t dig through all my e-mail folders. Just as I was about to dump all my hopes of getting selected, an e-mail popped up from the Student Ambassador program team!! I was so excited that I couldn’t figure out what to do next!

--Manab Biswas

 

I vividly remember sitting in front of my laptop, constantly refreshing my email as I waited to see my midterm exams results. On probably my 100th refresh, I received an email from Microsoft saying I got accepted into the community.  The best way to describe my initial response would be “visible confusion”.  I had been dreading the doom of my exam results, and it took about a minute for the news to finally settle in. My emotions took a 180° turn!

--Gaurika Vasan

 

It did take a couple of moments for the information to sink in, but I felt elated and honored to have become a part of something so incredible and great! I was jumping about with happiness and glee! 

--Anushka Bhatnagar

 

I was very excited! Jumping up and down and dancing.

--Monica Chan

 

There was so much joy to express, and that had to mean only one thing – my victory dance.

--Manab Biswas

 

I started jumping for joy and felt very excited and at the same time in shock because I could not believe it.

--Felipe Flores

 

When I saw the email from Microsoft, my hands start shivering. I just read the word “Congratulations” and was very happy. That was really a fantastic and unbelievable moment of my life.

--Syeda Manahil Javed

 

I remember jumping with utter happiness in front of my visiting relatives. It struck me like a miracle, and everything at that point felt like a dream come true.  In short, I was overwhelmed with joy, excitement, and a feeling which is indescribable.

--Sayantani Deb

 

What did you do next?

 

After their initial moment of joyful celebration and dancing, students informed their family and friends of their good news.

 

The first thing I did was tell my parents who were happy for me. Then I told my friends and posted it on social media, where everyone congratulated me and asked for advice on how they might start preparing for the Student Ambassador program as well.

--Anubhav 

 

Much like Gollum from “The Lord of the Rings” with the ring, I carried my laptop around the house as I read the acceptance email over and over again. I then gave my family the good news and hugged them. They were so proud of me.

--Gaurika Vasan

 

I told my parents all about it, who, needless to say, were on cloud nine. I then completed the onboarding process and logged onto Teams and discovered all the incredible things the community has to offer.

--Anushka Bhatnagar

 

I told my parents about it and thanked my stars. A lot of people were already in the house, and we celebrated with sweets. Then I logged in to my Microsoft Learn portal and started to explore the whole unique environment.

--Sayantani Deb

                                                                                                            

I told my parents, and they were very happy to see me happy.

--Diya Vijay

 

I ran to inform my family about the e-mail, and everyone was more than happy for me. I also thanked god for stepping me up towards my dreams.

--Manab Biswas

 

What is the first thing that you plan to do as a Student Ambassador?

 

Connect with others and learn was the common response from this new cohort.

 

The first thing I plan as a Student Ambassador is to learn while I begin to inspire others to achieve their goals and open myself to teaching.

--Felipe Flores

 

The first thing I intend to do is connect with various community members and leaders, as well as attend all of Microsoft's important meetings so that I can gain a better understanding of the platform. I'll also participate in onboarding calls and League meetings.

--Anubhav 

 

The first thing that I plan to do as a Student Ambassador is to participate in Leagues, attend meetings, and engage with my fellow Student Ambassadors from all around the world. Engaging and exchanging ideas on this platform would also help me decide the Learn paths I should take first.

--Anushka Bhatnagar

 

The first week, I immediately submerged myself into the world of Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors. I joined the Teams community, met new people, reached out to mentors, and attended various events. I started Microsoft Learn paths and got promoted to Alpha in just 2 days. [Editor’s note: students must accomplish certain milestones before advancing to the levels of Alpha, Beta, and Gold. In order to move to the Alpha level, one must complete a Microsoft Learn path.]

--Monica Chan

 

Do you have specific goals you want to reach as a Student Ambassador? What are they?

 

Students mentioned personal goals such as becoming a better speaker, building leadership skills, and improving technical skills, but they also stated goals focused on building community and helping others learn and grow.

 

The main goal that I want to reach as a Student Ambassador before I graduate from the university is to be a Gold Student Ambassador.  [Editor’s note: this is the highest status level one can achieve as a Student Ambassador and can only be attained via nomination by the program’s Community Program Managers or by other Golds].  I want to make an impact into the community and hopefully in my region as well.  Of course, there are a lot of things to do, a lot of planning needed in order reach this position, but I'm very hopeful about it. Wish me luck. :smiling_face_with_smiling_eyes:

--Monica Chan

 

I want to gain some leadership qualities and communication skills. I get nervous when I face an audience and start making silly mistakes.   Sometimes my tongue gets twisted, so I want to get rid of my fear.

--Diya Vijay

 

My main goal is to become the best version of myself in order to inspire others to do the same by sharing my learning and helping others.

--Felipe Flores

 

I want to work for the empowerment of women because in our society women are far behind in every field of life. I want to encourage them and give them a chance to prove themselves in their fields.

--Syeda Manahil Javed

 

I want to build my leadership skills and a stronghold in understanding modern technologies so that I can stand out in my career. I also want people around me to be familiar with modern technologies and help them to learn how IT is changing our lives.

--Moatassem Billah

 

There are a lot of things that I have yet to discover, and this journey will be the best means for it.

--Anushka Bhatnagar

 

Congratulations to the entire October 2021 cohort, and welcome to the community!

 

Readers, thanks for joining us.  We'll see you next month.

 

If you’re not yet a Student Ambassador but are considering joining, don’t delay a moment longer.  Learn more about our wonderful community now! 

 

And Student Ambassadors, we’d love to hear your voice in the next Community Voices blog.  Keep your eyes peeled on our Teams site for our monthly blog announcements. 

Posted at https://sl.advdat.com/3oBV5GL