This year we are delighted to act as a flagship partner for Black Tech Fest (October 19-21), a virtual three-day festival to celebrate Black culture, inclusive tech and equality.
We’re also proud to be a flagship partner for their C:code event which focuses on under-25s who are taking their first or new steps into the industry. Participants will learn about new career opportunities, meet industry leaders, and take part in hands-on workshops and interactive sessions.
Black Tech Fest and C:code exist to inspire and create space for powerful conversations around technology, inclusion and innovation by bringing together more than 6,000 innovators, creators and future leaders.
Check out the Black Tech Fest agenda and register for your free pass today!
On Tuesday 19th October at 12:30-12:55pm we’ll be hosting a panel session and Q&A about 'Building your career @AmazonUK' featuring Black employees discussing their careers with Amazon and providing advice on rewarding careers in the tech and innovation sectors.
As they prepare to take part, we spoke to the panellists about their careers with Amazon and their advice for others looking for rewarding careers in tech and innovation.
Nyakeh Richards – Data Analyst Apprentice, Amazon
Having completed my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science, I always found ‘what next?’ a daunting question. I knew what I didn’t want to do, rather than what I did, which led me to reflect on my strengths and interests.
I kept coming back to numbers, problem solving, technology and learning as huge passions, so I took steps to move from my role as an administrative assistant in a medical lab, towards the tech industry.
Fast forward through many online learning courses and ‘job application weekends’, I’m now on a Level 4 Data Analyst apprenticeship, and I feel like I’m just starting my career with an amazing employer!
Tech is all about having a creative mind while also thinking analytically – so I love testing my skills and learning new things as I build my career.
Lettie Ndlovu – Solutions Architect Apprentice, AWS
As a Solutions Architect Apprentice, my role currently is focused on learning how to guide customers in the implementation of best practice architecture for their systems on the AWS platform.
I had originally studied at Anglia Ruskin University with an undergraduate degree in English Language & Linguistics, before joining the Amazon Alexa team for two years as a linguist, and one year on the content services team.
Having studied for a degree in the humanities, you might think moving into a more technical role would have seemed challenging or impossible – but the transition was surprisingly easy thanks to the support available at Amazon.
Through Amazon’s tech seminars, coding sessions, mentoring and day-to-day support, I discovered a new-found passion for technology and had the support I needed to make that transition successfully.
Outside of work, I love baking – and being bad at video games!
Cyran Field-Bampton – Tech Legal, AWS
In my current role as an Enterprise Deal Lead for AWS, I am part of AWS’ Legal Team and I’m particularly focussed on supporting the AWS Sales and Marketing Team. I spend the majority of my time on contract negotiation working with lots of other stakeholders. Both my colleagues and AWS customers are my client, which is an interesting dynamic and means that as a team, we have lots of ways to demonstrate that we are customer obsessed.
I have lots of experience of various in-house legal teams, working in technology, telecoms and media for a large part of my career at places like The Economist and The Walt Disney Company. My experience to date has been in contract negotiation, outsourcing, data privacy and in mergers and acquisitions.
Early in my legal career, I always knew that I wanted to work within an in-house legal team, rather than at a big law firm. Working in-house allows me to collaborate with and learn from talented people with great experience that aren’t always lawyers, as well as the opportunity to work for a brand that people know. It also allows me to explain our work through our work – seeing ‘powered by AWS’ during sport events on TV is becoming really popular!
My advice to anybody taking their first steps into the tech sector is to understand that all of your skills gathered at previous roles or whilst studying are relevant and transferrable – no matter what role or industry you come from or want to work in, every bit of experience is invaluable.
Andre Campbell – Senior Program Manager, Global Sports & Entertainment, AWS EMEA
I was born and raised in London, with Bajun and Indo-Fijian heritage.
Over the last decade, I’ve built brand partnerships across automotive, technology and media. Currently I lead the EMEA strategy and execution for AWS Global Sports & Entertainment, where a lot of work is focused on events and strategy – this can often be complex but getting to host global executives at Formula 1 and Ferrari events is also great fun.
Previously I was leading sustainability initiatives and strategic marketing partnerships for brands like Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, Microsoft and MTV – big brands and household names with so many opportunities for exciting strategic partnerships.
I was delighted to be recognised by The Drum’s Future 50 as a brand marketer on the rise, and I’m continuing to invest in my career having recently completed an MBA at Imperial College Business School in London.
Faith Abolarinwa – Territory Manager, AWS
I was born and raised in Nigeria, now loving life based in Dublin with AWS! I’ve been here just over a year, working as a Territory Manager which is a role centred around enabling small and medium sized businesses in Ireland to leverage the power of the cloud to drive growth and scale their business.
I moved to the UK and took a Business Management undergraduate degree at Swansea University. I originally got into tech through internships, and progressed to a full-time tech sales role in South Africa after my degree.
As a Territory Manager with AWS, I have exciting opportunities to drive scale and shape the future of cloud technology in Ireland – which is especially exciting in a country with so much talent in its technology, innovation and engineering sectors.
I love technology because it breaks down boundaries. When you think outside the box, so much can be achieved! That’s also a message I share with secondary school students in my role as an ambassador for the AWS GetIT programme.
Find out more about how to take the next step in your career with Amazon’s student programmes, apprenticeships and jobs now available around the UK.
Black Tech Fest takes place Oct 19-21, sign up for free today!