This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now.
Today we meet Pascal Burume, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Catholic University of Bukavu in Congo (DRC).
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
When did you join the Student Ambassadors community?
In 2020.
What was being a Student Ambassador like?
As a Student Ambassador, I had the opportunity to explore my passion for Microsoft technologies that started during my university journey. This experience was truly unique and taught me many valuable lessons. Through this program, I gained a deeper understanding of various technologies and received guidance on how to effectively use them. I was constantly learning, and I made it a point to share my knowledge with the community. This experience not only allowed me to develop my skills but also helped me to positively impact others.
Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why?
My involvement with a Senior Cloud Advocate was a unique experience that allowed me to learn and grow as a developer. During this time, I was given the opportunity to convert a tutorial for a front-end developer into a Power Apps solution with cloud services. This task challenged me to think creatively and apply my skills in a new way. This experience not only expanded my knowledge but also gave me the confidence to take on more complex tasks in the future.
Pascal hosting a workshop for students in Congo (DRC).
Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey?
During my time as a Student Ambassador, I had the opportunity to gain a skillset in Power Apps, Power BI and Azure cognitive services. These technologies enabled me to create innovative solutions for various challenges and scenarios. For example, I used Power Apps to build a mobile app project that is based on knowledge exploration and utilizes cutting-edge image recognition technology to extract text from a vehicle's license plate. The system then searches a database to determine if the vehicle is registered, uses Power BI to analyze and visualize data from different sources, and uses Azure cognitive services to add AI capabilities such as face recognition and sentiment analysis. These skills have helped me in my post-university journey by enhancing my employability, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. I was able to showcase my projects and achievements to potential students and demonstrate my proficiency in using Microsoft technologies. I also learned how to collaborate with other international students and professionals, communicate effectively, and adapt to changing requirements. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow as a Student Ambassador and I look forward to applying these skills in my future endeavors.
What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?
The Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program is a platform for students who want to connect with other passionate learners from across the globe, learn from Microsoft experts, and work on real-world projects. The program provides students with various resources and tools such as training courses, certifications, and mentorship opportunities. Moreover, the program helps students develop leadership and communication skills, which are essential in today’s dynamic and interconnected world. By joining the MLSA program and completing the milestones, you can create a strong network of peers and professionals that can support you in your career and personal growth.
What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program?
Some advice I would give to new Student Ambassadors are:
- Be curious and eager to learn new things. The program offers a lot of opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills, so make the most of them.
- Be proactive and engaged. The program is what you make of it, so don’t be afraid to take initiative, participate in events and activities, and share your ideas and feedback.
Be supportive and collaborative. The program is a community of learners, so be respectful, helpful, and friendly to your fellow Student Ambassadors. You can learn a lot from each other and achieve more together.
Pascal hosting a workshop for students in Congo (DRC).
Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you?
"Motivation is the driving force that fuels our desire to achieve our goals and fulfill our dreams. It is what pushes us to overcome obstacles and persevere in the face of adversity. With motivation, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to, and our work becomes more than just a job - it becomes a passion."
Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey.
I took part in the Global Power Platform Bootcamp Nairobi, a free event organized by the Power Platform user group and Dynamics User Group in Kenya, in collaboration with Cloud Advocate at Microsoft. It was a great opportunity to present my solution for the HR recruitment process to experts and community leaders from around the world.
You can follow Pascal here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pascal-burume-909520218
Personal Profile: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/1269304#profile