The Crucial Lesson I Learned as a New SDE1 at Amazon
Sharing the first feedback I received during my initial months at Amazon as an SDE1. This feedback was instrumental in helping me become a more effective engineer at Amazon.
When I stepped into Amazon as a Software Development Engineer 1, I was awash with excitement and a bit of apprehension. Fresh out of the gate, I faced a challenge that not only tested my coding mettle but also taught me a lesson that became one of my guiding star throughout my career. Imagine joining a global giant like Amazon at a time when it hadn’t even laid roots in India — where I was based. The thrill of joining a company revered for pushing the boundaries of technology was palpable. During my interview, I grappled with some of the toughest questions I had encountered, a true testament to Amazon’s high standards. Successfully cracking the interview was a dream come true. I entered Amazon with a belief deeply ingrained in me: technical architecture is paramount. But soon, I would learn that there’s more to success in tech than just perfecting the code.
My journey at Amazon began with the Kindle team, amidst a massive push to expand the e-reader’s market reach. At that time, Kindle was primarily available in a few countries, and we were tasked with launching it in new territories. Unlike setting up physical fulfillment centers, expanding Kindle’s reach…
