Marley Gomez-Olivas
Marley Gomez-Olivas is a Class of 2025 student from Laredo, Texas. Marley transferred into the Canfield Business Honors Program (Canfield BHP) during her sophomore year, now also majoring in Finance and minoring in Management Information Systems. This summer, Marley is working in Redmond, Washington at Microsoft as a Business Program Manager. Specifically, she is on the Microsoft Customer Engagement Methodology team to develop the company’s worldwide sales strategy for all business customers, from big businesses to small startups.
Marley’s sophomore summer consulting internship sparked her interest in business program management. Working in consulting, she loved the process of understanding client needs, coming up with solutions, and making impactful changes. This passion for optimization and problem-solving motivated Marley to transition from consulting to the technology industry. As the core concept of her Microsoft role involves evaluating, developing, and improving a business program, Marley can explore beyond her comfort zone while leaning into her expertise.
For Marley, the highlight of her internship has been the culture. Microsoft prioritizes a people-first approach, emphasizing work-life balance and prioritizing wellness. Marley appreciates this environment, as it fosters a sense of belonging and mutual support. The culture can be reflected in Marley’s interactions with both fellow interns and the full-time employees at the company. She works with her cohort in the same office every day, motivating each other to work hard while still having the time for friendly conversations. On the other hand, employees of all experiences, from new software engineers to seasoned managers, have been kind, humble, passionate, and eager to help. By making meaningful human connections, Marley found her place at the large firm, fulfilling her personal and professional growth.
Her internship has also been full of learning opportunities. Communication skills are highly important when working in business program management. She has learned the importance of clarity and conciseness, especially since time is often limited. By prioritizing intentionality, especially in cross-functional conversations between engineering and business experts speaking different terminologies, Marley helps forward crucial mutual understanding and collaboration. Besides delivering her thoughts clearly, Marley also emphasizes the importance of listening as the first step to being an effective communicator. This is even more vital because she works in a hybrid workspace, which demands overcoming the shyness associated with virtual interactions. Learning from her team, Marley established human connections through texts, emails, and video calls. Reflecting on her time in Canfield BHP, she recalls how the Business Communication Honors course has prepared her for the internship.
Additionally, one of the most unexpected aspects of Marley’s internship has been her exposure to AI. Given the recent rising prominence of AI, Microsoft has been highly forward-thinking and integrated AI throughout the company’s fabric. Despite working on the business side, Marley has been encouraged to utilize AI in her work. As a finance major, Marley believes this experience has provided invaluable tech-savviness that will prepare her for the future workforce.
Finally, working at Microsoft comes with its perks: various beverages, sports, subsidized cafeterias, and public transportation. These amenities on the Microsoft campus greatly contribute to a balanced and enjoyable work environment, further enhancing her internship experience.
When reflecting on how her experiences at UT have contributed to her success at Microsoft, Marley emphasizes the Canfield BHP community and Central Texas Model UN. In Canfield BHP, Marley has served as a Peer Advisor since her sophomore spring semester. This experience has deepened her bond with professors, academic advisors, and peers, fostering a strong sense of community. Leveraging her connections within the program, Marley received professional support, learned about Microsoft’s culture, and prepared for interviews.
On the other hand, Marley has gained extensive experience in program and project management as the President of the Central Texas Model UN. From organizing conferences for 1,500 high school students to managing a team of 12 officers for her student organization, her leadership role has taught her crisis management, flexibility, and people management skills. These experiences have been instrumental in her professional development, providing a solid foundation for her current role at Microsoft.
Looking Forward, Marley is excited to finish off her internship strong and return to Texas, carrying the many lessons learned as a stronger professional and individual.
Learn more about the resources that assist students in finding internships and career exploration help on the Canfield BHP website!