This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft 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 Tina Popoli, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in information science and engineering from Sri Venkateshwara College of Engineering, Bengaluru in India.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
When did you join the Student Ambassadors community?
January 2022
What was being a Student Ambassador like?
Being a Student Ambassador was an incredibly rewarding experience for me. Over the course of two years, I had the privilege of representing MSA and engaging with fellow students in a variety of ways.
One experience that profoundly impacted me was taking part in the Microsoft Reactor sessions, where I got a chance to volunteer and present a session. Collaborating with local organizations, we organized workshops to teach essential technical skills to students and community members. I, along with my fellow MSAs, also set up an MSA club in our college which is now growing well!
Beyond my tenure as an ambassador, this experience continues to drive my passion for leveraging technology to create positive change. It has shaped my career aspirations, leading me to pursue opportunities that allow me to contribute to meaningful projects with a focus on social impact.
I'm immensely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Microsoft Student Ambassadors program.
Tina Popli during a Microsoft event in India.
Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why?
As a Student Ambassador, one experience stands out as having a profound impact on me.
Guiding and supporting fellow Student Ambassadors as a mentor, provided me with a chance to share insight, offer advice, and provide practical tips for effective community engagement and event organization. Witnessing their growth and seeing the positive impact they were able to make in their own unique ways was truly inspiring.
Moreover, in addition to my involvement as a Student Ambassador, I also took the initiative to share my insights and experiences by writing a comprehensive blog on how to apply for the program, providing valuable tips and guidance to potential applicants, which has now gained more than 20k views. (Here is the link: https://dev.to/tina_popli/all-about-microsoft-learn-student-ambassadors-mlsa-22nc)
Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey?
During my tenure as a Student Ambassador, I had the invaluable opportunity to delve into the world of Azure, VMs, Azure Chat Bots, Power Automate and many other things. These technologies fascinated me due to their potential in transforming customer service and enhancing user experiences.
Additionally, this expertise opened doors to networking opportunities and collaborations with experts in the field. I had the privilege of attending workshops and seminars on AI-powered chatbots, where I was able to contribute my insights and learn from industry leaders. This not only expanded my technical knowledge, but also broadened my professional network and has helped me on my post-university journey as well!
Tina Popli hosting a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors event at her university in India.
What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?
I would like to say that this program is not only a program, but also a beautiful journey of learning, growing, and getting open doors to applying these learnings. I always say that MSA is a family where we learn and grow! :)
If you haven't applied, you should go for it, and students who are already a part of it should make effective use of it!
What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program?
Always stay curious and be open to learning; there are tons of opportunities which will come your way.
Share what excites you about technology - it can be through blogs, videos, workshops, sessions, anything! Balance your academics as well! Celebrate every little milestone and enjoy your journey!
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?
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle." - Steve Jobs. This explains how dedicated one should be to their passion/work.
Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey.
I've always had a passion for conducting sessions and sharing knowledge on various subjects. When I received the chance through the MSA program, it was like icing on the cake.
Also, one of the most exciting moments was when I attended the Future Ready Technology summit in Bengaluru (Bangalore) where Mr. Satya Nadella gave a keynote session, and many other inspiring people gave amazing sessions!
You can follow Tina here:
dev.to: https://dev.to/tina_popli
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-popli-025a891b4/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_popli/