Amazon Discover: Spring Insight Participant Review

We had panel events that helped us understand how Amazon as a company works in terms of staff culture and better understand what it would be like in the role of a software development engineer. We also had technical workshops that helped improve our coding skills, including introducing practices like pair programming and code review by other members of a team to those of has that haven't had any or much experience with it.

Yes, I now have a better understanding of how to write code that gives importance to efficiency. I've also learned how to maximize the features of data structures to write more efficient code and improved on writing unit tests to discover bugs in our code and fix them and test for edge cases. I actually also got to see using Java for HTTP communication between a program and a website for the first time.

I found it very interesting to discover various niches in what I had previously assumed to be a very specialised role. I got to learn a lot about the different ways I could apply my coding knowledge and skills. I was also intrigued and excited about how there is space for growing and learning in Amazon as a staff and how you don't have to stay confined to one role, especially if you discover an ability/affinity or develop an interest/skill in a role /area/aspect different from the one you are currently working in.

One I am looking forward to and hoping to get the chance to be in and experience in-person some time in the future. The atmosphere, especially in the main session was lively, charged with curiosity and eagerness to learn from us, attendees. There were many questions asked by the other members of the audience which gave me further insight into how Amazon is as a company and what it felt and was like to work there.

I enjoyed it a lot. It was interesting, engaging, helpful, and informative. I learned to view my code from more than one perspective and was able to grow to appreciate the effectiveness and advantages of pair programming and code review by other team members. I also gained more knowledge and insight into the internship application process: how it works and how to prepare for its various stages. In addition, I developed a deeper understanding of what the role of a Software Development Engineer entails.

Yes

Write a good CV. Also start inculcating Amazon's 16 leadership Principles from now. They will be very useful passing the assessment center, at least they were for me. In addition, try to show your intellectual curiosity and passion for learning during the interview and also make sure to sharpen your technical skills; your coding (especially in the programming languages mentioned on your CV), understanding and knowledge of data structures, algorithms and efficiency in code writing.