Job Opportunities for Graduates at Microsoft: Are Diplomas Enough or Are Additional Skills Required?

Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft in India and South Asia, stated that the transition to using artificial intelligence (AI) requires the implementation of new organizational structures, working methods, and the acquisition of new skills within companies.

According to Chandok, companies are not using AI as an excuse for staff reductions; instead, the very nature of labor is transforming, which is a natural phenomenon during any transitional period. He noted that the rise in layoffs at technology product companies, especially in India, is more related to organizations' attempts to optimize costs by eliminating management levels and automating functions.

Responding to the question of AI's link to job loss, Chandok expressed disagreement, believing that companies realize the new reality: they are now utilizing not only capital but also tokenized capital. Achieving the expected Return on Investment (RoI) requires involving a larger number of people for collaboration.

He emphasized that AI is creating new jobs. For instance, Microsoft has introduced roles such as foresight design engineer, office agency trader, and corporate ontology expert. Chandok specified that these roles emerged in the last 12 months and are part of the transition process requiring new structures and skills.

According to Microsoft data, specialists working with agents, defining their application areas and setting intentions, constitute 32% of the company's research base from 20,000 AI users across 10 markets, which is higher than the global average of 16%. Furthermore, Microsoft's 2026 report shows that about 78% of specialists in India perform work that was impossible the previous year, compared to 58% globally.

Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that layoffs in Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India have significantly increased. Examples cited include Uber cutting around 250 jobs at its tech center, PayPal laying off about 500 people, and Visa firing 1,300 employees last month, which accounts for 40% of its staff in India.

Chandok also refuted a statement previously made by Wipro technology head Sandhya Arun, claiming that companies are struggling to gain real value. He pointed out that broader adoption of enterprise AI requires developing systemic trust, building intelligence, and strong leadership.

Despite promises, the adoption of enterprise AI has lagged behind expectations due to multiple factors: change management issues, difficulties in workflow orchestration, huge investments, return on investment concerns, and high token consumption, leading to a sharp increase in AI bills. Moreover, many Proofs of Concept (PoCs) demonstrate success only in laboratories but fail in real-world conditions, with some estimates suggesting that less than 10% of PoCs can be scaled.

This has prompted large language model (LLM) providers to take on the task of ensuring their products are integrated into all workflows, which will not only allow for faster revenue generation but also justify billion-dollar expenditures on flagship product refinement.

Belonging to the ranks of the world's most valuable companies does not automatically guarantee a successful career. A study based on data from 1750 large American companies showed which giants offer the best results in terms of growth, stability, and opportunities for people starting their professional lives.

The study analyzed the behavior of 12 million employees between 2019 and 2024. Among the most valuable companies in the sample were eight: Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Tesla, Apple, Meta, Nvidia, and Broadcom.

The research, titled Where You Work Matters 2026, conducted by the Burning Glass Institute in collaboration with the Schultz Family Foundation, utilized information from platforms such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor. The analysis considered factors such as promotion within the first five years of employment, employee retention, and salary levels.

Companies received Platinum or Gold designations depending on the results obtained. Among the eight highlighted giants, Microsoft and Amazon demonstrated the most comprehensive ratings:

Microsoft ranked first in the rating. Amazon also showed good results, especially in the ratio between salary, promotions, and staff retention. Software engineers are among the specialists who benefit in this company.

Google received three Platinum designations: for overall rating, growth, and stability. Tesla earned a similar classification for overall rating, growth, and career start, while also receiving Gold for stability.

Apple and Meta followed a different path. Both companies received Gold for overall rating and Platinum for stability.

In Apple, the report indicates that employees generally have high salaries and stay with the company longer. However, the pace of advancement here is slower than in other giants.

Employee retention is also a strength at Meta. Nevertheless, promotion results are more moderate and depend on the specific position.

Nvidia received Gold for overall rating and stability. The company combines competitive pay with talent retention, but its specialists work in an environment of intense talent competition.

Broadcom did not receive an overall corporate designation. This does not mean that all positions there have poor results; some career paths received positive ratings for growth.

The study revealed an average difference of 81 percentage points between positions with the best and worst performance in promotion and retention. This figure helps explain why the company name and offered salary are insufficient for a complete assessment of a career.

Even within one company, the experience can vary greatly depending on the function performed. Those looking for a job should also pay attention to growth prospects and opportunities to stay with the company, as brand prestige is not always obvious.