The conversation was featured in an Instagram video shared by Hamza Chishtie, a content creator and Director of Cloud & AI at Microsoft, according to his Instagram profile. Joining him in the discussion was Aliza Uppal, a business analytics student who is currently undertaking a 12-month placement program with the tech giant.
Building Experience Before Microsoft
Aliza emphasized that her success was not the result of a single application but rather years of preparation and experience-building.
Speaking about her path to Microsoft, she revealed that she completed multiple internships before applying for the placement program, helping her stand out among other candidates.
“Right now, I'm doing a placement here at Microsoft, which is a 12-month program. Before I applied, I completed several internships to make myself stand out. I did around four or five internships at different places,” she said.
She added that her academic background in business analytics equipped her with valuable skills that aligned closely with her current role.
Supporting AI Adoption Across the UK
At Microsoft’s London office, Aliza works on initiatives focused on scaling artificial intelligence solutions across the UK. Her role also involves helping individuals and organizations understand how to effectively adopt and use AI technologies.
With artificial intelligence becoming a major priority for businesses worldwide, roles related to AI implementation and adoption are attracting growing interest from students and young professionals.
Three Interviews to Secure the Role
Discussing the hiring process, Aliza explained that recruitment requirements can vary depending on the position. For her placement role, however, the selection process involved three consecutive interviews.
She successfully completed all three rounds before receiving an offer from Microsoft.
Salary Figures Draw Online Attention
One of the most talked-about aspects of the discussion was compensation.
According to Aliza, placement students at Microsoft UK typically earn between £18,000 and £24,000 per year, depending on their team and specific role. Converted into Pakistani currency, this amounts to approximately PKR 6.75 million to PKR 9 million annually.
The salary disclosure quickly sparked debate among viewers, with opinions divided on whether the compensation was competitive, particularly considering London's high cost of living.
Viewers Praise Her Journey
Many social media users applauded Aliza for openly sharing her experience and providing aspiring professionals with a realistic look at the path to securing opportunities at a global technology company.
“Amazing work! Very inspiring to see talented women excelling in AI,” one user commented.
Another wrote, “Hearing how real people found their way into a company like Microsoft gives so much hope to everyone still on their journey. Keep sharing these!”
Several viewers noted that her story underscored the importance of gaining practical experience early and consistently developing relevant skills.
Others Question London's Cost of Living
While many celebrated the achievement, some commenters focused on the financial realities of living in London.
“That’s not a lot of money for London. Placement students easily make £24k, which is equivalent to the minimum wage, really. Microsoft should do better,” one user argued.
Another commenter pointed out that accommodation expenses could consume a significant portion of the salary, writing, “£18k to £24k is not a lot of money in London. It depends on her lifestyle, but she could easily be spending most of that money on rent.”
Despite the debate over pay, Aliza’s story resonated with many aspiring students and professionals, serving as a reminder that building experience through internships and skill development can open doors to opportunities at some of the world’s leading technology companies.
