Hey everyone! We're incredibly excited to kick off our new Coffee Chats in Tech series, where we spotlight inspiring alumni who've navigated the challenging tech job market and emerged successful. For our inaugural chat, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Ekam C., a recent Northeastern University graduate who landed a role as a Software Engineer at Amazon AWS in New York and captured his thoughts and advice on how to get a job at Amazon as an international student.
As many of you know, the tech job market can be particularly challenging for international students. When Ekam shared his journey with us, what stood out wasn't just his ultimate success, but the mindset and strategy that got him there.
Landing a Role at Amazon: An International Student's Blueprint| The International Student Challenge
"If there are 100 companies who want good candidates, only a small percent would be aligned in hiring international students because of the paperwork," Ekam explained. This reality, combined with the highly competitive nature of the tech industry, creates a unique set of challenges for international candidates.
But here's what really struck us about Ekam's approach: instead of letting these obstacles discourage him, he used them as motivation to refine his strategy.
The Turning Point
Before joining WorkUp, Ekam was following a common but ineffective strategy: "I was applying to 50, 60 companies in a day, just applying them," he shared. However, he quickly learned that quality trumps quantity. The key shift in his approach? Tailoring each resume to specific job descriptions using WorkUp's software and building genuine professional connections.
How to Get a Job at Amazon as an International Student: Key Strategies for Acing the Interview
What many don't know is that Ekam's success represents one of the highest placement salaries within our program. When we asked him about the factors that contributed to this achievement, his answer was refreshingly straightforward:
"First of all, it was hard work," he emphasized. "Students should not have the mindset that you can prepare for the interviews in one day or one week. That's not going to happen, especially for tier-one companies like Amazon, Google, and Apple."
His preparation strategy included:
Consistent coding practice on platforms like LeetCode
Staying current with evolving technologies
Intensive behavioral and technical interview prep using WorkUp
Focusing on practical, industry-level applications
Maintaining a positive mindset throughout the process
The Moment of Success
One of our favorite parts of our conversation was when Ekam shared the moment he received his Amazon offer. It happened to be on his birthday, making it even more special. "I was really amazed by it... it was a pretty exciting moment because this was one of the things which I was basically working hard and dreaming of for a couple of years."
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Tech Professionals
Ekam's advice for other job seekers, especially international students, resonated deeply with us:
"Be resilient and strong... you will face many rejections. That's part of success. If you get success too early, it's not as fun. But if you build up rejections and then you get success, you will enjoy success more."
As an organization that works with aspiring tech professionals every day, we couldn't agree more. The journey to success in tech isn't just about technical skills- it's about persistence, strategic preparation, and maintaining a growth mindset.
Looking Forward
What excites us most about Ekam's story is that it's just the beginning. He's now part of AWS's EC2 pricing model team, continuing to grow and learn. His journey from international student to AWS engineer isn't just a success story- it's a roadmap for others following in his footsteps.
This is exactly why we started this Coffee Chats in Tech series- to share real stories that inspire and guide others in their tech career journey. Ekam's story is a testament to what's possible with the right combination of preparation, persistence, and support.
Could you be our next success story? Visit joinworkup.com to learn more about how we can support your tech career journey.
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our Coffee Chats in Tech series!