From Stowing Packages to Securing Systems: An Amazon Employee‘s Reskilling Journey

The technology skills gap is a major challenge for employers and workers alike. As digital transformation accelerates across industries, the demand for qualified tech talent far outpaces supply. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 13% from 2020 to 2030, adding over 660,000 new jobs.

For many individuals, especially those without a traditional computer science background, breaking into these high-opportunity tech careers can seem like an impossible feat. But forward-thinking companies like Amazon are investing heavily in workforce development programs to upskill employees for the jobs of the future.

Roger Brown is a prime example of the transformative power of tech reskilling. After several years working in hospitality, Roger joined Amazon in 2019 as an Inbound Problem Solver at a fulfillment center in Dallas, Texas. In this role, he was responsible for troubleshooting issues with inbound inventory, such as missing items, mislabeled products, and damaged goods.

"As an Inbound Problem Solver, I learned how to analyze data, communicate with internal and external stakeholders, and come up with creative solutions," Roger says. "I also gained exposure to the complex technologies powering Amazon‘s operations, which got me interested in pivoting my career toward tech."

In 2021, that interest turned into action when Roger applied for Amazon‘s Career Choice program—an innovative initiative that provides fully-funded training for employees to reskill into higher-paying, in-demand careers. After a competitive application process, Roger was accepted into the Cybersecurity Engineering track in partnership with Programming School.

Acquiring In-Demand Cybersecurity Skills

Programming School, a global leader in tech education, was selected as an Amazon Career Choice training partner for their outcomes-driven, job-aligned curriculum. Roger and his fellow Amazon learners embarked on a rigorous 32-week cybersecurity engineering program designed to equip them with the skills and experience needed to launch careers in the field.

"The program covered a huge breadth of cybersecurity topics, from foundational networking concepts to cutting-edge offensive and defensive tactics," Roger explains. "We learned about things like the NIST framework, security operations, incident response, threat modeling, and so much more."

Some key technical skills covered in the 600+ hour curriculum include:

• Network and data security
• System administration and hardening
• Virtualization and cloud security (AWS, Azure)
• SIEM administration (Splunk)
• Penetration testing and ethical hacking
• Secure coding practices
• Cryptography and PKI
• Governance, risk, and compliance

Hands-on experience was a central pillar of the Cybersecurity Engineering program. Learners completed over 50 labs and projects simulating real-world scenarios, from configuring firewalls to exploit vulnerable web applications. They also gained experience with industry tools like Wireshark, Kali Linux, Metasploit, and more.

For Roger, one of the most impactful projects was a capture-the-flag style penetration testing exercise. "We were given a target system to assess for vulnerabilities, then attempt to exploit them to gain unauthorized access," he recounts. "It was an exciting challenge to put our offensive security skills to the test in a safe, controlled environment."

Another vital aspect of the program was career preparation. All learners were assigned a dedicated career coach to guide them through the job search process, from resume writing to behavioral and technical interview practice. They also had the opportunity to network with Programming School‘s employer partners and fellow alumni.

Launching a Cybersecurity Career

In October 2021, Roger graduated from Programming School‘s Cybersecurity Engineering program with a robust portfolio of projects and a newfound sense of confidence. Armed with in-demand skills and experience, he felt well-prepared to navigate the job market.

"My career coach was instrumental in helping me translate my non-traditional background into a compelling narrative," Roger notes. "I learned how to highlight my transferable skills from Amazon and connect them to the cybersecurity roles I was targeting."

Roger‘s efforts paid off when he secured a position as a Cybersecurity Analyst at a major financial services firm, earning a significant salary increase from his previous role. In this position, he‘s responsible for monitoring and protecting the company‘s critical assets from cyber threats.

"It‘s a challenging and rewarding role that allows me to put my training into practice every day," says Roger. "I‘m constantly learning and growing, and I feel like I‘ve found my true calling in cybersecurity."

Roger‘s story is just one example of the incredible talent being developed through Amazon‘s Career Choice program. To date, over 70,000 Amazon employees worldwide have participated in Career Choice, gaining valuable skills in areas like healthcare, transportation, IT, and more.

Closing the Tech Skills Gap

Amazon‘s $1.2 billion commitment to upskilling reflects a broader trend of employer investment in workforce development. As the shelf life of skills continues to shrink, companies recognize the imperative of continuous learning to stay competitive. The World Economic Forum estimates that 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025.

"At Amazon, we‘re committed to empowering our employees to gain the skills and experience needed to take their careers to the next level, whether that‘s at Amazon or beyond," said Tammy Thieman, Global Program Lead for Career Choice. "We‘ve seen incredible success stories like Roger‘s, and we‘re excited to keep expanding our tech training offerings in high-demand fields like cybersecurity, software development, cloud computing, and more."

The benefits of employer-sponsored tech reskilling extend far beyond individual success stories. By investing in their workforce, companies can:

• Address critical skill shortages and recruiting challenges
• Improve employee engagement, productivity, and retention
• Foster a culture of learning and innovation
• Enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in tech
• Drive overall business performance and competitiveness

According to a 2021 report by the World Economic Forum and PwC, upskilling could boost global GDP by $6.5 trillion by 2030 and lead to the net creation of 5.3 million new jobs. The potential economic impact is massive, but it will require sustained public-private collaboration and investment.

"The rapid pace of technological change is creating both immense opportunities and challenges for workers and employers," said Programming School CEO Kate Cassino. "By working together to provide accessible, job-aligned training at scale, we can ensure that the benefits of the digital economy are broadly shared."

The Path Forward

As of 2024, Amazon and Programming School have continued to expand their Career Choice partnership, offering tech training tracks in software engineering, data science, and product design in addition to cybersecurity. Thousands of Amazon employees have successfully transitioned into new careers, achieving an average salary increase of 40%.

Roger Brown is now a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer and remains a vocal advocate for tech reskilling. "My experience with Career Choice and Programming School was truly life-changing," he reflects. "I‘m grateful for the opportunity and want to pay it forward by encouraging others to take advantage of these programs."

With initiatives like Career Choice paving the way, the future looks bright for aspiring tech professionals from all backgrounds. By investing in continuous learning and workforce development, we can build a more skilled, innovative, and equitable economy for all.