Amazon Discover: Spring Insight Participant Review

The insight three day event included several coding challenges, panel discussions from amazon employees and recruiters, as well as advice and even demos on how to apply for their summer internship scheme next year, and the process involved (for example the technical online assessment, online interview, the breakdown of dates and times of specific deadlines, as well as the mentoring program they offer as a follow up to this scheme and what that entails). Overall, the scheme was incredibly well structured.

I have developed my coding and technical skills and been exposed to new coding languages (such as c plus plus, java, java script, python 2 and python 3), and developed my communication skills by working in a group to solve coding challenges. For example, on day three, I had to work in a sub group of three for a coding mini challenge which involved writing and improving code to fit many iterations of a problem.

Understanding all about the business and potential roles available was incredibly insightful, exciting and extremely worth it. This insight scheme has given me a career option I hadn't thought of before, as well as the skills and experience needed to succeed at the next steps to getting there. I wasn't aware of the extent of jobs at amazon, or within the tech industry as a whole, whereas now I feel like I could be a part of the teams within software development.

The company culture seems very open, incredibly honest, highly driven and thoroughly exciting. The values of the company were explained in detail and are obviously upheld in their everyday work life, as many employees and recruiters attending the day re-iterated completely unprompted and heartfelt. The community spirit there is highlighted by their affinity groups and how ingrained it is in the company as a whole. The general atmosphere is an excited one where everyone says its "like day one".

I thoroughly enjoyed my time attending the insight program, I thought it was a well thought out, well structured three day event which provided me with the tools and knowledge I need so that I can apply and succeed at their software engineering summer internship next year in 2023. This was a well worth thing to do and I am very glad that I applied and attended the event. I dont think there's anything they could improve on.

Yes

the advice I would give to someone who was applying, or thinking about applying to Amazon is to be open to giving up three days (or longer for a full internship) for this scheme as its an incredible opportunity that boosts your CV. I would also say that you must really get engaged and stuck in with everyone you meet, especially in the technical workshops as these are where you learn the most about the Software Engineering job. Mainly, be outgoing, give it your all and be positive.