Amazon

"Specifically, I am talking about working at Amazon's corporate headquarters, not a fulfillment center. While I enjoyed my time here (about two and a half years), Amazon has developed a culture that is bizarre and doesn't really focus on people improving in their current positions. They encourage employees to move around and get new jobs in-house after about eighteen months, which means that every department is in a state of constant turmoil and shorthanded. Just as you become good at what you do, you're encouraged to move to a different position, which makes no sense. Additionally, promotions to higher levels are often impossible because of rigidity in the culture. For example, if you are a Level 6 and would like to be promoted to Level 7 based on your work and merit, you can't be promoted unless you have six direct reports. Most of the higher level positions are held by men, and trust me when I tell you that men frequently talk over you in meetings. It's really annoying. Amazon culture also places priority on mechanizing and creating identical processes for everything, which is great if you're creating widgets, but not so great if you want people to be strategic thinkers or come up with creative PR or marketing campaigns. I was let go from Amazon about a year ago, not for cause. I spent five months taking Amazon to court to get my unemployment benefits, which they denied initially because they told Washington State that I quit. I discovered after doing a lot of research that -- because turnover at Amazon is so high -- they actually have a company on retainer whose whole focus is denying unemployment to people who are let go. After two court hearings, both of which no representative of Amazon showed up for, I won my case and was awarded my back unemployment pay. I met some great people at Amazon, many of whom I am still friends with. But the culture is toxic. I wouldn't recommend working there if you are a creative thinker."

"Set your expectations upon hire. Not all managers and teams are understanding of what it means to be a working parent. Do your research and ask a lot of questions before accepting a role. "

"Very set hours and predictable during peak seasons. Tons of ways to be involved inside and out."

"Best company to work for; I wish they didn’t close down due to COVID 19"

"Amazon is a highly dynamic environment with a focus on improving diversity in the tech industry. At Amazon, you will feel constantly challenged to be the best version of yourself and get to work alongside people who motivate you to do so."