Roger Brown: Amazon Career Choice 2021

Roger Brown, an October 2021 graduate of the Amazon Career Choice Cybersecurity Engineering program, transitioned into tech by way of Amazon’s Career Choice program. 

He shares his bootcamp experience and journey toward tech below.

Background

Roger began his career in hospitality. He worked in the field for several years before transitioning into tech.

“I was drawn to the constantly evolving nature of the tech industry and the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology.” 

In early 2021, he’d been working as an Inbound Problem Solver at Amazon for two years when he learned about the Amazon Career Choice program. The program allows Amazon employees to receive technical training from partner institutions to pursue higher-paying career paths. 

“I decided to apply because I wanted to receive a high-quality education in a short amount of time,” he explained. “I hoped to gain the skills and knowledge needed to break into the tech industry and start a new career.”

Bootcamp Experience

Roger was accepted into the Amazon Career Choice program and enrolled with a cohort of fellow students from Amazon. The program ran for 32 weeks from February through October with the curriculum delivered online via live lectures. Students completed about 15 hours a week of classwork while continuing to work full-time, a logistical challenge for any new student. 

“Balancing the intense coursework with my other responsibilities was challenging,” Roger recalled. “But, my favorite part of the program was the hands-on projects, which allowed me to apply what I had learned and see the results firsthand.”

Job Search

Eight months after deciding to embark on his education journey, Roger graduated from the program with a brand new set of Cybersecurity skills. Like many of his classmates, he jumped right into the job search supported by his dedicated Career Coach. 

“My job search experience was made much easier by my career coach, who provided valuable guidance and support throughout the process.”

Ultimately, his efforts paid off. When we chatted with Roger in early 2023 he reported that he was “working as a Cybersecurity Specialist at a top tech company.”

Reflecting On His Journey

Looking back on where he began, Roger emphasized the perseverance needed to change one’s life and switch careers. 

“The biggest takeaway from my time at [Flatiron School’s Amazon Career Choice program] is the importance of hard work and perseverance,” he said. “No matter how challenging the program may seem, it is possible to succeed with dedication and determination.”

As for his advice for other students walking the same path, he recommends sticking with it when things get hard. 

“Stay focused and make the most of every opportunity. It can be difficult at times, but the effort will pay off in the end.”

Flatiron School Retraining Programs

Amazon’s Career Choice offers eligible Amazon employees like Roger Brown the opportunity to pivot careers into higher-paying jobs through retraining. 

The program was created as a way to attract top talent as well as improve employee engagement and retention. 

Following the initial cohort’s success, Amazon again selected Flatiron School to deliver Career Choice programs in 2023. 

Contact us to learn how a Flatiron School retraining program can attract and retain top talent at your organization.

Disclaimer: The information in this blog is current as of June 22, 2023. Current policies, offerings, procedures, and programs may differ.