How much AWS you need to know as new grad for amazon applied scientist?

Jan 12 7 Comments

A friend of mine is starting her applied scientist position in Alexa in Seattle. She is a new grad and knows machine learning very well but never has done any SQL or AWS.
I was wondering how much knowledge is needed for AWS or SQL for AS/RS pistons and how much ramp up time is expected for a new grad?

TC: 170K

#tech #Amazon

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TOP 7 Comments
  • Amazon
    skabadoo

    Go to company page Amazon

    skabadoo
    I’m DS but do model research, development, and deployment. I knew GCP but had never used AWS when I started. I had only touched SQL in a grad course. Ramp up was maybe 6-9 months to be fully independently productive, though I’m in a complex and broad domain with heavy ops load.
    Jan 12 2
    • Thank you. What do you recommend to her initially in order not to get overwhelmed since there are a lot to learn
      Jan 12
    • Amazon
      skabadoo

      Go to company page Amazon

      skabadoo
      I’d recommend she be patient with herself and acknowledge that AWS (the platform and the employer) is a huge and complex ecosystem that she won’t learn overnight.

      Identifying and volunteering to carry out valuable but approachable projects can be a good way to learn. For example, I saw opportunities to improve infra when I joined and my manager liked the idea, and that helped me learn much more quickly and earned some recognition and visibility.

      Also Amazon leadership principles mention being β€œvocally self-critical” which I interpret as being willing to own and work on our less developed skills. So- assuming she’s on a reasonable team- folks are likely to be supportive of her ramp-up if she’s willing to ask for help but still put in the effort to learn. Similarly, we value curiosity so a genuine interest in learning and growing will be well received.
      Jan 12
  • Microsoft
    πŸ‘¨β€βœˆοΈ Obvious

    Go to company page Microsoft

    πŸ‘¨β€βœˆοΈ Obvious
    Lots much
    Jan 12 2
  • New / Eng
    Best Boss

    New Eng

    BIO
    Assistant to the Regional Manager
    Best Boss
    What did your friend got for comp?
    Jan 12 0