Amazon Discover: Spring Insight Participant Review

Over the three days, we listened in to live virtual panel discussions with Software Engineers and recruiters that work at Amazon. We were assigned to groups and each group was assigned a mentor - who is a software developer at Amazon. In our groups, we took part in technical workshops where we did activities - mostly programming exercises and discussions. So each day was spent half on panel talks and Q&As and half on technical workshops.

Learned so much about the process of applying to Amazon and working at Amazon as a Software developer/engineer. Also learned about the key principles that Amazon goes by and how to show them in the application process. Learned more about the technical interview stage and what is expected in a technical interview: how to prepare and how to succeed. Also did pair programming and programming exercises; how to identify and fix bugs in our code.

We heard from lots of different software engineers at Amazon that work in different teams and in different countries. It was very interesting to see the wide variety of of work you could be doing as a software engineer at Amazon. The work is varied and the technology is always improving so you can always move to different teams and find a team where you will be a good fit. There are also lots of societies for workers to get involved in and support.

All the software engineers and recruiters we heard from were very friendly and informative, and seem to really enjoy the work they do and the people they work with. Although we weren’t in the office in person, it seemed like there is a very friendly culture, where people are encourage to ask questions, learn more, and get involved. There is also a lot of flexibility around your work, encouragement to network and have mentorship, and follow the Amazon principles.

I really enjoyed being able to learn more about being a software developer at Amazon. And also gain an insight into Amazon, the culture, the people, and see whether it is somewhere I would like to work. I also enjoyed being able to get involved in technical workshops where we did programming activities and tasks. I enjoyed learning more programming techniques and the topics I need to brush up on or learn. The mentor was very supportive and helped a lot.

Yes

Be interested in Amazon and learn all about the company. Know why you want to work there so you can answer that in the interview. Practice technical interviews and programming without an IDE. Know how to test your code. Know how to ask questions in the technical interview to fully understand the question and make sure to take hints from the interview who is trying to help. Focus on the Amazon principles and have 2 or 3 examples on how you have demonstrated each one in your career/education.