Amazon Discover Spring Insight Participant Review

Overall, in my opinion, the insight was very enriching, with a plethora of Amazon employees at the event to give us (the participants) an insight into what it is like to work at Amazon as a Software Development Engineer. As well as the panels, there were multiple technical workshops with a mentor, where we solved various coding exercises, which I found extremely stimulating. Finally, we were introduced to the mentoring scheme and the internship application.

Yes, I have learned and developed many skills, which involve communication, problem-solving, decision making, reasoning, and many more. I believe that the technical workshops were the most useful in helping me develop the skills listed, and feel more confident and satisfied with myself than I did before. For example, on the third day, I was assigned to work in pairs with another participant in order to design a solution for the requirements provided to us, it was an agreeable experience as working together helped us harmoniously come up with a solution faster, along with the help of our mentor.

It was greatly insightful as I got to know what different things and skills are involved in a Software Development Engineer, such as taking the initiative, not being afraid to ask for help, strong time management skills, etc. I can clearly visualise how such skills would help me in my future career as well as in my day-to-day personal life. On top of this, the personal experiences shared by the employees were quite inspiring and interesting, and this helped me solidify the kind of career I would like to pursue.

Everyone seemed very energised and excited for this event, to talk to us about their careers and what a day in their life is like in the role they are working at. All Amazon employees enforced the idea of Amazon's principles, and I can quite clearly see how positive it has made the environment as they use these principles in their daily life as well as preaching it in a positive light. I feel that I would feel very welcomed and at ease if I were to work at Amazon with the people at this event, which I truly appreciate for having created such a kind atmosphere.

I absolutely enjoyed the insight and I am so delighted to have applied for it. I believe that it was a beneficial 3-day event which would definitely help me advance in my career path, and am so grateful to have been selected for this event. I have learned so many things over the past 3 days, which I think I would not have learned if I did not attend the event. Amazon's principle "Learn and Be Curious" has really shined within me during the technical workshops when I was working on the various tasks, and this made me overcome the imposter syndrome I was feeling at the start. Everyone has been so supportive and I am very appreciative for that. Thank you for letting me experience this great opportunity!

Yes

I would encourage them to apply for Amazon as it is a great environment to work in and all of the employees I have met so far seem extremely welcoming and energised. I would tell them not to be nervous and just be themselves as well as prepare some experiences that align with the Amazon values, and how these values resonate within them. There are so many things to do at Amazon, and plenty of opportunities, and if given one, they should go for it. When this event was advertised at my university, I was afraid to apply because of how inexperienced I was in this field, but applying and then being successful has made me more confident.