MICROSOFT

Black Collegian, Oct 2003 by Fagerberg, Paula

Numerous outreach and diversity programs are a hallmark of the company's commitment to indusiveness By Paula Fageiterg

Can you talk about some of the facets of Microsoft's diversity initiative?

At Microsoft, we view diversity as a business imperative. First and foremost, it's simply the right thing to do. We need to value each other's differences and treat one another fairly and with respect and dignity. Leveraging diversity is also critical to the success of our business. Our workforce must reflect the diversity of our customers, partners, stockholders, and the communities around the world in which we do business. We need the insight, creativity, and diverse perspectives that a range of employees can bring to the table in order to become a better, stronger, and smarter company.

Our Strategic Diversity Plan includes establishing objectives to help us recruit, develop, and retain a more diverse workforce at all levels of the corporation. We also have diversity training for all employees; it is our belief that everyone must receive the skills needed to work in and foster an inclusive work environment that values diversity. Another aspect of our Strategic Diversity Plan involves mentoring. Two years ago we implemented a formal mentoring program that is open to all employees; in fact, an online matching tool is available to help pair mentors with mentecs. Having a mentor can be an invaluable experience, particularly for new employees.

Also let me add that we have 29 employee resource groups that are sponsored by company executives, including Blacks at Microsoft ("BAM"); Hoppers (a woman's network); Chinese at Microsoft; Hispanic Employees at Microsoft; Employees with Disabilities (visually impaired and hard-of-hearing); Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Employees at Microsoftand the list goes on. It's a great way to make new friends and to begin to create one's own personal network of support.

I'm proud of the terminology that we use for our resource groups: they are called DAC [Diversity Advisory Council] groups. We rely on them to give their input on any specific challenges they face or recommendations to improve our overall diversity initiative. Our DAC groups are also heavily involved in the company's outreach programs. For example, the BAM group gives a picnic at one of the members' homes every year for our African-American interns; the whole notion is to help them set up mentoring relationships and meet people with jobs similar to theirs. They're interacting not only with the Black employees who have been around Microsoft for a long time but also forming networks to support each other as interns.

Our resource groups play a really strong role within the communities. For example, each year the BAM group reaches out to junior high and high school students of color particularly in underserved communities. They bring the students to Microsoft where they interact with many of our technical people, visit the various technology centers, and are able to actually feel, touch, and interact with some of the technology. Bill Gates was the keynote speaker this year-as you can imagine, it was an extraordinary experience for the kids. Bill talked about how he started Microsoft and his love of technology and answered their questions-and you could just see the expressions of awe on the kids' faces!

What's the best thing for you about working for the company?

What I love about Microsoft is its passion and its commitment to excellence. I see this in the outstanding products we develop and our relationships with our customers around the world. I also sec it in the extraordinary way we have taken on the awesome task of attracting more women and underrepresented minorities to the high-tech field. This is so important to the work I do. We have invested more than $160 million in recent years to help stimulate increased interest among minorities and women in scientific and technical fields. And we are making great progress in this area. Experience has shown that once Microsoft sets its talent and energy on something, it is unstoppable. I am truly excited to be part of the Microsoft team!

A new hire's perspective

What got you interested in working for Microsoft?

Microsoft was one of the few companies that I always targeted as a place where I might want to work. I saw them during a career fair, and they stood out as people who really enjoyed their jobs. Also the dress code stood out to me-people in jeans and shirts, you know, but who were obviously extremely intelligent and who understood that what you wear is not indicative of what you can do. And being a Black man with dreadlocks, there were not too many places in corporate America where I felt like I could go! I would sec some of Microsoft's handouts with people on the covers who looked like me, so I relt like, they've got these brothers out here talking-maybe this would be a company that would be great for me as well.

While you were still in school, you did an internship at the company. What was that like?