Demystifying the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors (MLSA) program!

A journey towards an empowering mindset

Who doesn’t want to be a part of a community that uplifts its individuals to do better each day, to be the best version of themselves, to grow and to rise?

Of course, many of us want to! This blog is all about one such program. Yes, as the title suggests, it is Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors program.

How did I get into the program?

It all started in the year 2019 when I received an application form regarding the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors Program (formerly known as Microsoft Student Partners program) through a friend of mine. After skimming through the website, the idea of empowering the community through the means of technology seemed appealing to me. So, I decided to apply for the program (Indeed, the best decision I’ve ever made! :D)

What is Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors program?

Student Learn Ambassadors are a global group of on-campus ambassadors 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 worldwide recognizable program to sponsor students majoring in disciplines related to technology. The MLSA program enhances students’ employability by offering training in skills not usually taught in academia, including knowledge of Microsoft technologies. MLSAs are assumed to further share the knowledge among the academic community by, for example, arranging courses, giving presentations and initiating projects.

Application Process

Just like everyone, I was also pretty confused about the application procedure of the program which is the reason why I’ve thought of writing this blog which would, in turn, help the readers to get an overview related to the application process.

Eligibility Criteria

The program is open to anyone who is a university student and currently enrolled in any Undergraduate, Postgraduate or Ph. D program in an accredited academic institution having age above 16 years at the time of submission. The student can be of any stream.

Hold on…

Now that you’ve seen the eligibility criteria, I’d recommend you to complete some tasks before jumping directly to the program application. This task is not compulsory but it’s just to ensure you have a successful application. :)

1. Make a LinkedIn profile, if you haven’t. If you already have one, update it with your recent achievements.
2. Update your resume with your latest achievements and community experiences.
3. Create a video describing yourself, your community involvements and the impact that you’ve made till the date of application.

How to Apply?

Now that you’ve completed the above task, you’re good to apply for the program.

Step 1: Go to https://studentambassadors.microsoft.com/login and sign in using your Microsoft account.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button that pops up on the website.

Step 3: You’ll see a window comprising of several sections of the form. Agree to the Privacy Statement, in the ‘Privacy and Terms’ section and click ‘Next’ to proceed with your application.

Step 4: Fill up your personal details like name, contact email, gender, phone number in the ‘Personal Info’ section and click on ‘Next’.

Step 5: After that, fill your college details and the degree you are currently pursuing in the ‘School info’ section and click on ‘Next’.

Step 6: The next section of the application comprises of ‘Written sample’ section which is a major field of consideration. It comprises of three questions namely Inspire, Teach and Promote.

In this section you have to demonstrate how you’ve impacted the community over the years and why you’re passionate about technology. You must devote proper time to prepare for the ‘Written sample’ part as it is a major part of the application.

Note that while these questions can be answered either in a video or a written document form but at least one video must be provided by you having a length less than 2 minutes. A link to the video needs to be provided.

Step 7: Next you’ll see the ‘Additional Info’ section where you can provide your LinkedIn Profile URL, Social media handle’s URL, technical blog post URL, etc. Though it’s an optional section, I’ll recommend you to fill every possible field to highlight your previous community experiences.

Step 8: The last step of the application process is the ‘Technical Skills’ where you can mention the technologies that you’ve worked with.

Step 9: You can share anything in the ‘Anything else’ section if you wish to.

After completing all sections, click on the “Submit” button and hurray your application is complete. :)

Additional Information

There are a few points that I’d like to highlight in regards to the application.

• One can edit the application until the time it goes under review.
• The applications are open for the 365 days so you can apply anytime you want.
• One should keep patience after applying for the program as the applications are reviewed quarterly.

Student Ambassador Milestones

Once you are selected in the program, there are several milestones that you can unlock throughout your journey. These include:

• Alpha 1- This is the starting milestone which one achieves when they get into the program. The Student Ambassadors get access to the global student network, Microsoft Teams, an Office 365 subscription and much more.
• Alpha 2- The Student Ambassadors have to complete their first learning path on Microsoft Learn to unlock this milestone. After that, the Ambassadors get USD 150 monthly credits, Visual Studio Enterprise subscription, MTC Certificate Exam Voucher, Student Ambassadors domain name, TechSmith Snag It and Camtasia software.
• Beta- To achieve Beta milestones Student Ambassadors need to host their first in-person event. The Ambassadors who complete the requirements can unlock more benefits like swags, event support and access to the MLSA Summit. They might also get an opportunity to receive mentorship through Microsoft’s employees.
• Gold- Student Ambassadors who have gone above and beyond in earning their badges and serving their local community will be invited to the Gold milestone. Gold Ambassadors get access to special events conducted by Microsoft and can participate in various pilot programs. Further, they can be invited to become a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP).

Personal Experience

“We have the power to empower! ”

During his keynote in the Student Partner Summit - India, Pablo Veramendi, the Global Program Manager of the MLSA program said: “It is us who have the power to leverage the people around us that’s why it is important to keep uplifting people around ourself.”. His words of wisdom have really touched my heart and I cannot imagine a world without communities. There’s so much we can achieve by empowering each other through communities.

Being a Gold Student Ambassador, I can definitely say the experience you get after becoming a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador is surreal and beyond words. It has allowed me to explore the areas of my interest and has carved me into a better individual. The community’s uplifting mindset has pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and has helped me to hone my technical as well as interpersonal skills. The networking opportunities that the program provides is a cherry on the cake.

The program is a must-join for those who are looking forward to learning from amazing individuals across the globe and establish a personal brand for themselves. If you’re looking for a community which comprises of the world’s best minds, I’ll suggest you to join the program and see the difference.

To be really honest, Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors is not just a program, it’s a feeling. ❤

Humble Advice

Be it internships or community programs, don’t ever be afraid of applying. If you're thinking of self-rejecting yourself, just don't! You don’t know how many good things can come along your way just by clicking that “SUBMIT” button.

All the very best! May you be a force for good. :)

If you are still left with any doubt, you can reach out to me via LinkedIn or Twitter.