SWE x Amazon

On November 7th, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) hosted an insightful panel discussion with Amazon , providing an engaging opportunity for students to connect with professionals from one of the world’s leading tech companies. The event brought together aspiring engineers and tech enthusiasts for an hour of valuable insights and networking.

Highlights from the Panel

The discussion featured a diverse group of Amazon professionals:

  • Batu Arisoy (Software Development Manager, Artificial General Intelligence – Speech Recognition)
  • Karthik Rajendran (’13) (Machine Learning Engineer, Amazon Shopping – Personalization)
  • Shami Siddique (Recruiting Leader, University TA)
  • Michael Hoggard (Senior Recruiter, University TA)
  • Jamie Brown (Senior Recruiter, University TA)

Key Takeaways

  1. Career Journeys and Advice
    • Batu Arisoy shared his experiences working in Artificial General Intelligence, highlighting the innovative approaches Amazon takes in speech recognition.
    • Karthik Rajendran, a Princeton alumnus, provided valuable insights into his career path as a Machine Learning Engineer, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in the evolving tech landscape.
  2. Amazon’s Culture and Opportunities
    • The recruiters, Shami Siddique, Michael Hoggard, and Jamie Brown, outlined Amazon’s commitment to fostering innovation and inclusivity. They shared tips on crafting strong applications and succeeding in interviews, along with details about the various roles available to recent graduates.
  3. Q&A with Attendees
    • Students asked thoughtful questions about balancing technical expertise with soft skills, navigating early-career challenges, and Amazon’s approach to mentorship and professional growth.
  4. Networking and Building Connections
    • Following the panel, attendees had the chance to network one-on-one with the speakers, making meaningful connections and gaining personalized advice.

Conclusion

The SWE x Amazon panel discussion was a tremendous success, providing attendees with a glimpse into the tech world at Amazon while equipping them with actionable advice for their career journeys. Thank you to everyone who participated, and a special thanks to Amazon for partnering with SWE to make this event possible!