Amazon Discover: Spring Insight Participant Review

Each day included a session with an Amazon employee, including a day in the life of a Software Development Engineer and a discussion about Amazon's affinity groups. Majority of the day was spent in the technical workshop where we were split into sub-groups of 7 with a mentor. This allowed us to work together as a group and it was really easy to receive help when we were stuck. We focused primarily on learning and implementing a range of algorithms and data structures using Python and Java.

Learnt new concepts such as cache and its different data structures such as LRU through analogies and diagrams. And we were also able to implement this into a Python program using ordered dictionaries and more. Also developed technical communication skills as we had to the explain concepts and data structures such as FIFO to our group members using an online whiteboard and making sure we made it simple and easy to follow along. It was also really useful to have discussions with each other as it helped consolidate our knowledge.

The Day-in-the-life panel gave a broad insight in their role and how they play a part in Amazon. It was interesting to hear about their schedules, work-life balance and challenges they've faced in the past and how they've overcome it. It would've been even better if they covered the role of the Software Development Engineer summer intern more thoroughly as this is the next step for Spring Interns. I think it's quite important we know what the role entails, if there's training program etc since this internship is for around 3 months.

Amazon seems really strong on their leadership principles and I believe that they apply this daily in their work and role, such as Customer Obsession and Dive Deep. They also carry a "Day-1" mindset which I think is really unique to them. Amazon employees seem really supportive of each other as they offer help to their team through a mentor scheme which they can contact on a daily-basis. They also have many affinity groups which work on helping the community on a global level.

I really enjoyed working with my team in the technical workshops. I was able to ask the mentor many questions on his experience in Amazon so far and the company culture, which he seems to really like so far. Since these groups were so small, it was really easy to communicate and receive help throughout our tasks as well teach each other concepts. It exceeded my expectations because of how much support and help I received throughout the week and I would go back!

Yes

The online application was really short and simple, they also asked for your CV so make sure that's up-to-date. I think it would've been really useful if I had researched and revised the core algorithms and data structures as majority of the technical workshops were based on this and it took me a while to get a good understanding of it. Even better if I had also brushed on up on my coding skills too.