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In the past three months, Microsoft has hired 18 Computer Professionals Program students through a Washington-based recruiter. Their practical training projects range from software design testing to SQL server support.

A student who received a Microsoft offer recently for over $60,000 per year was undecided whether to accept it, since he had an offer pending with another firm for $80,000 per year. "We advised him to negotiate with Microsoft," explains University Placement Specialist Don Chell. "Once you have worked there, your status in the IT industry is definitely elevated. It may be worth accepting a slightly lower salary at Microsoft to be on the cutting edge of software design." In the end, the student opted for the higher-paying job.

Students usually fly out to Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington for their interviews, although some interviews are conducted via video teleconference at the University.