S1E4: Nick: Building communities with Affinity Groups

What being a teacher taught me about techFresh perspectives fuel better results. There are so many unique paths that lead to AWS, and these diverse paths bring valuable new skills and experiences to our team and our customers.In this episode, Geetha talks with Melissa, an instructional designer at AWS and a former primary school teacher. Melissa reveals how her experiences as educator have influenced the way she works now, and shares some valuable things we can learn from children and students. Listen and subscribe to Here at AWS.

Overcoming Imposter SyndromeSometimes, we are our own worst enemies. The human brain is terrific at self-sabotage, and at work, it can show up as imposter syndrome. In this episode, Geetha talks with Nataly, a business & sales operations manager at AWS. She opens up about her own experience with imposter syndrome and offers some helpful tips for keeping self-doubt at bay. Listen and subscribe to Here at AWS.

Today, we’re looking at how diversity is good for both a company and its staff. Constance chats to Nnedi, an Associate Proserve Specialist. Originally, she was unsure how she would fit into AWS. Moving from Nigeria, she thought she might feel like an outsider. However, with the help of affinity groups and mentoring schemes, AWS is helping to empower thousands just like her. Listen and subscribe to Here At AWS.

Arriving at a new job can be scary, and that fear can lead to self doubt. So how do we stop these feelings?In today’s episode, Geetha chats to Meena, an Enterprise Solution Architect. Originally from Chennai, it took time for her to settle into life in the UK. She tells us about how seeing diversity in the AWS workforce has really made her feel like she belongs.Listen and subscribe to Here At AWS.

In today’s episode, we’re taking a birds-eye view of AWS. We want to see how decisions at the top are directly affecting the people we’ve talked to so far on the podcast.So, in this episode Geetha chats to Tanuja, Managing Director for AWS in EMEA. Tanuja’s part of the decision-making process that moves this company forward. She tells us about AWS’ goals and  priorities. She also talks about being an international citizen, and how energetic she is to promote diversity in tech. Listen and subscribe to Here At AWS.

In this episode, we dive into a stunning story all about overcoming adversity. We sit down with Mark to talk about how important it is to have an organisation full of people with diverse backgrounds.He tells us all about growing up on the Cape flats and his path to becoming a Solutions Architect Manager for AWS.

At AWS, we think it’s important to have a core philosophy behind our work - something that guides all our decisions and interactions. That’s why we have the Leadership Principles, a set of beliefs that keep us thinking on the same page.But how exactly can a guiding philosophy enrich life at AWS?In this episode, Geetha chats to Anita, a Partner Sales Lead for Asia. She tells us about her personal outlook, one that sees the humanity and empathy in the Leadership Principles. Listen and subscribe to Here at AWS. 

Community is so important at AWS. We can build incredible things when we work as a diverse, inclusive team. This is why AWS is home to affinity groups - communities that bring all sorts of people together. In this episode, Constance speaks to Nick. Nick talks about volunteering as Co-lead for the New Zealand and Australia chapter of Glamazon, an affinity group for those in the LGBTQIA+ community. We chat about how being part of it has enriched both his personal and professional life.Listen and subscribe to Here At AWS.

AWS doesn’t run itself - hard-working, creative people do. So when we’re discussing what we want AWS to look like in the future, we’re thinking about the people that will be part of it in the years to come. In this episode, we ask: how is AWS supporting a diverse set of individuals at the start of a career in the cloud? How are we building the foundations for a brighter tomorrow?In this episode, Geetha speaks to Emma, Associate Solutions Architect. She tells us about her experience of AWS Tech U, an early career development program, and how it gave her the tools and network for a life in the cloud. She also dives into what it’s like working with her dad as a colleague! Listen and subscribe to Here At AWS