What is it like to work for Amazon as a student or recent graduate?

Amazon is the world’s third-largest employer with 1,540,000 employees. It offers a wide range of experiences for its employees, especially those early in their careers. As with other massive corporations, experiences will vary based on the role, department, location, team, and management.

Here are some general observations and insights about starting a career at Amazon:

1. Fast-Paced Environment: Amazon operates on a principle they call “Day 1,” emphasizing agility, customer obsession, and a start-up mentality. Even as a massive company, Amazon endeavors to keep this agile, fast-paced ethos.
2. Learning Opportunities: Given its diverse range of services – from e-commerce to cloud computing – Amazon offers vast learning opportunities. The company often encourages employees to dive deep into problems and think critically.
3. Ownership: One of Amazon’s Leadership Principles is “Ownership.” Employees, even those early in their careers, might be given significant responsibilities. This can be both a growth opportunity and a challenge.
4. Innovative Culture: Amazon prides itself on being a place of invention and innovation. Employees are often encouraged to think big and explore new ideas.
5. Compensation and Benefits: Amazon offers competitive compensation packages, which can include a combination of salary, stock, and bonuses. They also offer various benefits, although these can vary based on the location and specific job role.
6. Performance-Driven: Amazon has a reputation for being a very performance-driven company. The review and feedback process can be rigorous, with regular performance reviews and a focus on metrics.
7. Work-Life Balance: One common criticism is that Amazon can be demanding, with some roles leading to challenging work-life balance. However, this varies significantly across teams and roles.
8. Diverse Opportunities: Amazon’s operations span various sectors, from retail and hardware to entertainment and cloud services. This diversity means employees have opportunities to explore different career paths within the company.
9. Networking: Given Amazon’s size and growth, employees can build a vast professional network, both within their teams and across the company.
10. Global Reach: With operations around the world, employees may have opportunities for global interaction and even relocation, depending on their role and career aspirations.
11. Frugality: Another one of Amazon’s Leadership Principles is “Frugality.” While the company is wealthy, they often emphasize doing more with less and finding cost-effective solutions.
12. Career Growth: Amazon’s rapid expansion can lead to career growth opportunities for those who excel. There are many stories of individuals who started in entry-level roles and moved up within the company.
13. Company Culture: Amazon’s 14 Leadership Principles, including “Customer Obsession,” “Bias for Action,” and “Insist on the Highest Standards,” guide its culture. Understanding and aligning with these principles can be crucial for success within the company.
14. Diverse Feedback: As with any large company, reviews from employees can be mixed. Some love the environment and opportunities, while others find certain practices or the pace challenging.