Get An Internship At Amazon In 6 Simple Steps

Are you a college student or recent graduate looking for a valuable and rewarding internship experience? Look no further than Amazon, one of the world's largest and most successful companies. 

An internship at Amazon can provide you with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in your field, work with talented and driven individuals, and make meaningful contributions to the company. In this blog post, we'll go over the steps you can take to increase your chances of securing an internship at Amazon.

How To Get An Internship At Amazon

These are 6 steps to follow that will help you land an internship at Amazon. By following these steps, you can significantly increase your chances of landing an internship and starting your career off on the right track.

Step 1: Research The Company And Its Culture

Before you start applying for internships, it's important to understand what Amazon is all about. This includes its mission, values, and the types of products and services it offers. Familiarizing yourself with the company's culture will also give you a better idea of what they're looking for in an intern.

Step 2: Decide Which Internship You Want

There are several types of internships offered at Amazon. Most of the requirements for the different roles vary greatly, so it helps to pick one that you really want, such as a software development engineer or front-end engineer so you can prepare for that role specifically. 

Specializing will greatly increase your chances of getting the role that you really want. To learn more about the different internship roles that Amazon offers, keep reading.

Step 3: Level Up Your Skills

Once you’ve decided which type of internship you want, you can start to grow your skills. If you aren’t taking classes that will grow these specific skills, you can probably find a course on Udemy or a textbook on Amazon to get you started. 

Once you have the basics down, work on a few projects to solidify those skills, shows the hiring team that you’re serious, and give you something to talk about during your interviews.

Step 4: Tailor Your Resume And Cover Letter

When applying for an internship at Amazon, it's crucial to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific position you're interested in. This means highlighting any relevant skills, experience, and education that make you a strong fit for the role.

Step 5: Apply To The Internship Of Your Choice

Once you’ve researched the company, decided which role to pursue, leveled up your skills, and updated your resume, it’s time to apply. After you’ve applied, it will probably take some time for them to get back to you. It’s important to be patient, but don’t be afraid to reach out.

Step 6: Prepare For Interviews

Once you've applied for an internship and have been selected for an interview, it's important to do your research and prepare for the process. This includes practicing common interview questions and reviewing the job description to understand the expectations and responsibilities of the role.

Additional Tips

Although these 6 steps are a great process to follow in order to increase your chances to land an interview, there are a few more things you can do. Take a look at these additional tips if you want to further increase your odds.

Network with Amazon employees: If you know someone who works at Amazon, reach out to them and ask for advice on how to land an internship. They may be able to provide insights on the application process or even put in a good word for you.

Be polite, respectful, and humble: As you are speaking with employees at Amazon while networking or with hiring managers during an interview, it's important to be polite, respectful, and humble. One thing that can keep you from getting the role or push them to give you an offer is to be someone that the team wants to work with (or someone that they don’t).

Follow up: After your interview, make sure to follow up with a thank-you note to the interviewer. This shows your appreciation and demonstrates your continued interest in the internship.

Be persistent: In the event that you don’t land an internship with Amazon, do your best to find a similar internship at another company. Also, just because you don’t get an internship with Amazon this year doesn’t mean that you won’t be accepted next year. Be persistent and try again next year.

What Internships Are Offered At Amazon?

There are several different types of internships offered at Amazon. Get to know them so that you can decide which one you want to pursue. These are not all of the internships that Amazon offers but this covers 10 of the most popular. To learn more about these roles, check out Amazon’s job page for internships and co-ops.

1. Software Development Engineer

Being a software development engineer intern at Amazon can be a challenging and rewarding experience. Interns are typically paired with a mentor and work on real projects that contribute to the company's bottom line. They are also given opportunities to attend training sessions and networking events with other interns and Amazon employees.

Some of the key responsibilities for a software development engineer intern at Amazon may include:

Additionally, you should expect to work in a fast-paced, results-driven environment where you will be expected to deliver results and deliver high-quality, scalable, and maintainable code on a regular basis.

2. Front-End Engineer

As a front-end engineer intern at Amazon, you would likely be involved in working on the company's website or one of its many consumer-facing applications. Key responsibilities for a front-end engineer intern at Amazon might include:

It's worth noting that the specific responsibilities of a front-end engineer intern at Amazon may vary depending on the team they are on and the stage of the project they are working on. However, Generally, the company has a culture of learning and development, along with experienced engineers to guide you, this would be a great opportunity for any interns to gain real-world experience.

3. User Experience (UX) Designer

As a user experience (UX) designer intern at Amazon, you would likely be working on the design of digital products such as websites or mobile apps. Some key responsibilities of a UX designer intern at Amazon may include:

Internships at Amazon are highly competitive, and the experience will be fast-paced, with high expectations and high autonomy. The projects you work on would be actual projects that will be used by the customers so it will be a great opportunity to work on real-world problems and see the impact of your work.

4. User Experience (UX) Researcher

As a user experience research intern at Amazon, you would likely be working on a team within the company to help improve the overall user experience of Amazon's products and services. This could include conducting user research, analyzing data, and working with designers and product managers to implement changes to the user interface.

Some key responsibilities for a user experience research intern at Amazon might include:

In general, the primary goal of a user experience research intern at Amazon would be to help improve the overall user experience of Amazon's products and services through conducting research and providing insights to the design and product teams.

5. Solutions Architect

Being a Solutions Architect intern at Amazon typically involves working with customers to understand their business needs and designing solutions that utilize Amazon's web services to meet those needs. 

Some of the key responsibilities of a Solutions Architect intern may include:

It's important to note that the responsibilities of a Solutions Architect intern can vary depending on the specific role and the customer's needs.

6. Computer Vision And Robotics

As an intern in the computer vision and robotics field at Amazon, you would likely be working on projects related to automating and improving various tasks in their warehouses and fulfillment centers. This could include developing algorithms for object detection and tracking, implementing and testing robotic systems, and analyzing data to optimize performance. 

Some of the key responsibilities of the Computer Vision and Robotics intern may include: 

Additionally, you may be required to present your work to the team and contribute to research papers.

7. Machine Learning

Being a machine learning intern at Amazon can be a challenging and rewarding experience. Interns are typically assigned to a specific team or project and work closely with a mentor or supervisor. 

Some of the key responsibilities of a machine learning intern may include:

As an intern, you can expect to work on real-world problems and have the opportunity to see your work being used in production. However, it can also be a fast-paced and high-pressure environment, so strong technical skills and the ability to work well in a team are important.

8. Data Science

Being a data science intern at Amazon likely involves working on a team with other data scientists and data engineers to analyze and model data to support business decisions. 

Some of the key responsibilities of a data science intern at Amazon may include:

Please note that this is a generalization and the specific responsibilities will vary depending on the team, the project, and the specific role.

9. Automated Reasoning And Storage Systems

As an Automated Reasoning and Storage Systems intern at Amazon, you must be a Ph.D. student. You will integrate automated reasoning tools into the development process in order to increase the security, availability, durability, etc. of Amazon’s products.

Some of the key responsibilities of an Automated Reasoning and Storage Systems intern are:

10. Business Intelligence Engineer

Being a business intelligence (BI) engineer intern at Amazon would likely involve working on projects related to data analysis, reporting, and visualization for the company. 

Some key responsibilities for a BI engineer intern at Amazon might include:

It will also give you a chance to work with large data sets and a wide range of tools and technologies, and learn about different areas of the business.

What To Expect When Working At Amazon

Working as an intern at Amazon can be a challenging and rewarding experience. Interns at Amazon are typically given real-world projects and responsibilities and are expected to work independently and collaboratively with their teams.

Overview

The company's fast-paced and data-driven environment may take some getting used to, but many interns find it to be an exciting and stimulating place to work. Additionally, Amazon offers a competitive compensation package and benefits, as well as the opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry. 

Overall, it can be a great opportunity for students to gain practical experience and make valuable professional connections.

Qualifications Necessary

To qualify for an internship at Amazon, you will typically need to be a current student or recent graduate from a university or college. Amazon looks for interns with a strong academic record and a background in a relevant field such as computer science, engineering, business, or a related field. 

Additionally, Amazon typically looks for interns who have strong problem-solving skills, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, and the ability to communicate effectively.

You will also need to have a good understanding of the company and the role you are applying for. Amazon typically looks for interns who have a clear understanding of the company's mission and values, and who are passionate about the work that Amazon does.

Amazon also looks for candidates who are self-motivated, and who are able to work in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.

Having relevant work experience, skills, and certifications such as programming languages, frameworks, or technologies will be an advantage.

It's important to note that the requirements may vary depending on the specific internship position and location.

Interview Process

The interview process for an internship at Amazon typically includes several rounds, including a phone or video interview with a recruiter, one or more virtual or in-person interviews with the hiring manager and team members, and a final round of interviews with senior leaders.

During the initial phone or video interview, a recruiter will ask you about your background, education, and work experience. They will also ask you about your interest in Amazon and the specific internship you are applying for. This interview is usually used as a screening process to ensure that you meet the basic qualifications for the role.

If you pass the initial screening, you will then be invited to participate in one or more virtual or in-person interviews with the hiring manager and team members. These interviews will be more technical in nature and will focus on your skills, experience, and ability to work in a team. Expect to be asked about problem-solving, past projects, and your experience with specific technologies.

In the final round, you may have an interview with senior leaders, where you will be asked about your long-term career goals and how they align with Amazon's mission and values.

Throughout the process, you may also be asked to complete a coding challenge or a case study, which will give the hiring team an idea of your problem-solving skills and technical abilities.

In general, the interview process at Amazon is designed to be rigorous and challenging, but it is also meant to be a fair and transparent process. The company is looking for interns who are a good fit for the role and the company culture, and who are passionate about the work that Amazon does.

During The Internship

Internships at Amazon typically last between 12 to 16 weeks, depending on the specific internship program and location. The duration of the internship can also vary depending on the academic calendar of the student.

As for compensation, Amazon offers a competitive salary and benefits package to its interns. The exact salary will vary depending on the specific internship position and location, but it is generally in line with industry standards. Additionally, Amazon offers interns a variety of benefits, such as housing assistance, transportation allowances, and discounted purchase options for Amazon products.

You can also expect to receive other benefits like mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and professional development resources.

It's important to note that the specific compensation and benefits may vary depending on the internship position and location and that the company may also change the compensation and benefits from year to year.

However, based on information from Glassdoor and other sources, it is estimated that an intern at Amazon in the United States can expect to earn an average base salary of around $35 per hour to $40 per hour. This will also depend on your level of education and experience. Some internships may also include additional bonuses or stock options.

Receiving A Return Offer

Here are a few things you can do to increase your chances of receiving an offer to return to Amazon as an intern or a full-time employee after successfully completing an internship:

Perform well in your internship: The most important factor in getting a return offer is to perform well in your internship. This means delivering high-quality work on time, exceeding expectations, and being a positive and proactive team member.

Build relationships with your team: Building strong relationships with your team members and managers can help you stand out and increase your chances of receiving a return offer. Make sure to actively participate in team meetings, volunteer for extra projects, and ask for feedback on your work.

Be proactive: Demonstrating initiative and a willingness to take on extra responsibilities can help you stand out and make a positive impression on your managers.

Keep in touch: Stay in touch with your managers and team members after the internship, and let them know that you are interested in returning. You can do this by sending a thank-you note, following up on projects you worked on, or asking for advice on your future career plans.

Be open to different roles and opportunities: Many internships at Amazon are part of a talent pipeline, which means there are many opportunities to return to the company in different roles. Be open to different opportunities, and keep an eye out for open positions that match your skills and interests.

It's important to remember that while these tips can increase your chances of receiving a return offer, there is no guarantee and the final decision will depend on the needs of the company and the availability of positions.

Conclusion

Securing an internship at Amazon is no easy feat, but with the right preparation and persistence, it is certainly achievable. 

By highlighting your relevant skills and experiences, tailoring your application to the specific position you're interested in, and showcasing your passion and dedication to the company, you can set yourself apart from the competition and increase your chances of being selected for an internship at Amazon. 

Don't be discouraged if you don't get a response right away - keep trying and stay positive, and you'll eventually find the right opportunity. Good luck with your internship search!