Amazon Discover: Spring Insight Participant Review
at Amazon
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Computer Science
London
Review Submitted: April 2022
Overall Rating
4.1 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
3.5/5
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Overview of Experience
4.3/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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Company Culture
4.5/5
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Overall Experience
5/5
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Recommendations and Advice
Overview of Experience
Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
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.
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.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
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.
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.
Please rate how insightful you found the insight
4/5
How would you rate the structure of the insight
3/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
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.
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.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
4/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around industry-specific skills during the experience?
4/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around personal or professional skills during the experience?
4/5
Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development
5/5
Company Culture
How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight
4/5
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
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.
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.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
3/5
How would you rate the networking opportunities?
4/5
Please rate how valued you felt during your insight?
4/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
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!
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!
Please rate your level of enjoyment on the insight
4/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
5/5
Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
I was not paid and had no expenses
Recommendations and Advice
Please rate the future employment prospects at Amazon
5/5
Would you recommend Amazon to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Amazon
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.
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.
