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What is the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors Program?
The program is a global group of campus leaders who are eager to help fellow students, lead in their local tech community, and develop technical and career skills for the future. It is a chance to be effective and to grow personally and professionally by working on AI-driven projects that matter. This community is highly diverse and inclusive – you find students of different backgrounds.
This program is looking for students who are or want to be community influencers, community builders, startup advocates, tech enthusiasts, agents of change, skill builders, learners, and open-minded individuals. If you fall within any of these specifications or something similar, then you are welcome to join the program if you are 16 years old at the time of registration, enrolled full-time in an accredited academic institution, and not be a Microsoft employee or current contractor.
I can proudly say that this program stands at the top of known student/campus ambassador programs because of its vibrant and supportive community members which span across all skill levels.
Student Ambassadors Benefits
Micrsosoft Learn Student Ambassadors complete activities that make contributions to both the Ambassadors community and their local communities and work to unlock more benefits. Some of the key benefits are outlined below:
- Access to Microsoft 365.
- Visual Studio Enterprise subscription.
- $150 monthly Azure credits.
- Ready-to-go presentation materials.
- Engagement with Microsoft employees, Microsoft MVPs, Cloud Advocates, and other students worldwide.
- Student Ambassadors milestone badges highlighting accomplishments.
- Student Ambassadors Swag. Visit my LinkedIn post to see some of the contents of the swag box.
These benefits are subject to change.
How to Register: Step-by-Step Guide
The process of registering to become a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador has been updated and is straightforward.
- Visit the official Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors Program website and click “Get Started”.
- Log in with your Microsoft account or create a Microsoft account.
- Fill out the required information from personal information to academic information, to social media information, et cetera. Once you fill out the required information, click on submit. This video (subject to changes) gives a concise breakdown of what you are expected to do on the website after creating your account. Keep an eye on your inbox for an invite to join the Microsoft Student Developer Community on Discord within a few days (subject to changes).
- Join the Discord server to complete other requirements.
- Go to the “Start Here” and “FAQ” channels and follow the instructions provided (subject to changes). You will be expected to link your Discord account to your GitHub account
- Join and complete Technical Training
- Choose either of the three paths: Community Influencer, Community Builder, or Startup Advocate, then complete the tasks required for each path using your assigned Contributor ID.
- Be sure to visit all channels on the server so that you do not miss any information.
- Your progress to the numbers expected from you will be sent to your registered email periodically by one of the Program Managers.
- When you meet all the requirements, you will receive an official invitation through email to join the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors program on Microsoft Teams.
- Accept your invite and join as an Alpha Ambassador with your benefits activated.
Note that these steps are subject to changes which will be made when necessary. The three ways you can get current information about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors Program are
(1.) through the Student Ambassadors website
(2.) through the Microsoft Student Developer Community on Discord,
(3.) Referral by reaching out to current Ambassadors (preferably Gold Ambassadors).
Student Ambassadors Milestones
The Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors Program has three milestones: Alpha, Beta, and Gold. As an Ambassador progresses from the Alpha milestone forward, more benefits get unlocked.
Alpha Milestone: Students who complete all requirements on Microsoft Student Developer Community on Discord based on their selected path will be invited to join the program and earn the Alpha badge (This milestone will likely be retired in 2025). New (Alpha) Ambassadors are onboarded quarterly.
Beta Milestone: Ambassadors who host an event or participate in an AI project. will earn the Beta badge.
Gold Milestone: This is the highest stage in the program. Student Ambassadors who have gone beyond serving their community and the program will earn the Gold badge. Attaining this milestone is competitive and achievable.
Tips for Meeting the Requirements by Registered Members
To meet your requirements, take note of these tips:
- Do not sound desperate while making posts on social media asking your connection to engage with your posts. Be creative. Your post should answer questions like, "Why should I follow this link?" or "What will I learn through this link?".
- Draw insights from what current Ambassadors (Gold Ambassadors preferably) are doing.
- For the Community Influencer path, be sure to know what each website you will be sharing with your audience is used for and how beneficial they are.
- Be sure to join a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors community around you or online. Participate in the community activities as much as you can.
- Ask current Ambassadors to help you share your posts (remember that Ambassadors are not obliged to repost or share your posts).
- Ask for guidance if you need one. Be direct with your request for guidance.
- The program is flexible. You will find the time to engage in the activities you want.
My Unwavering Journey in the Program
I got attracted to the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors program in 2020. The attraction was largely because of the uniquely designed water bottle that I saw with my coursemate and friend who was a Beta Ambassador at that time.
It took me some time before I eventually felt confident enough to submitted my application in the third quarter of 2021. I applied not knowing what to expect. I did not know about any other benefits of the program. Fast forward to August 2021, I joined the program.. This was a defining moment for me because I wanted everything to do with Microsoft. The title "Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador" alone carried grace, leadership, responsibility, and privilege in it. I loved it. Everything in the program was new to me. Talk about hosting events online, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365, et cetera, everything. It was another opportunity for me to come out of my shell, learn new skills and growth both technically, personnally and professionally. I have been part of other student programs but there was none like this.
This program challenged me. I engaged in skilling activities I never thought I could be capable of. I progressed through the Alpha milestone to Beta and finally got the swag, but I felt there were more things I could achieve in the program. Achievements that would last forever. I drew insights and inspiration from what other Ambassadors were doing. My goals changed. I have successfully mentored over 100 students to join the program. I mentored fellow Ambassadors as well, helping them find their place in the program and advancing through milestones. I have collaborated with fellow Ambassadors from different regions as a host, a co-host, a speaker, and an event moderator. I and five other Ambassadors have led a program where Ambassadors sign up to lead their community while skilling participants in Azure Fundamentals or Azure AI Fundamentals content on Microsoft Learn since October 2023. Hundreds of students worldwide have obtained one Microsoft Fundamental certification or another through this program.
I have hosted over 30 events as an Ambassador among which include speaking engagements at different universities both online and in-person. These and more are ways through which I support the program, my community, and myself. These activities were influential to my reaching the Gold milestone.
Tips for Current Ambassadors
- Be sure to be active within the community both in person and online Microsoft has amazing online communities such as the Microsoft AI Discord channel with over 10k AI Developers and speclialist.
- Microsoft has amazing Open Source GitHub Projects, Curricula and Samples for you to share and consume.
- Engage in all program activities like Peer Mentorship, Ambassadors AI project, Study Group Program, et cetera. where possible. There is also a community dedicated to Women and Gender Minority.
- Continue building skills on Microsoft Learn.
- Make the Student Ambassador Handbook your friend. Updates get posted in the handbook when the need arises. This way you will remain up to date with current information.
- Collaborate with fellow Ambassadors from your immediate community, country, and across continents to host and cohost events.
- Always report your events and activities on the Student Ambassador’s website to keep track of all you do.
- Focus on building impact. Have fun in all you do.
Conclusion
The Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors Program offers a wide stream of opportunities for students to learn, connect, and grow. By becoming an Ambassador, you can empower yourself to make a lasting impact and kick-start your career in technology. This is a community for you.
Register today and take the first step towards becoming a leader in the tech community!
Be a Force for Good!
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