Amazon

Amazon's internal sites, training, and videos are a treasure trove for growing employees.

The Principals of Amazon talks are always informative and well done.

Its mentoring program is for everyone; if you put in the effort, you will reap the rewards.

Regardless of role, your writing skills will get better if you embrace the "writing culture".

For non-technical employees, Amazon Technical Academy is a great way to make the switch to being a software engineer.

Amazon affinity groups are a great place to meet others with common backgrounds, causes, etc.

OG Amazonians have amazing anecdotes about what it was like when Amazon was pioneering some of its now-iconic services like AWS, Prime Now, and Alexa. The insights into the pitfalls of launching new, scalable, and ubiquitous products are invaluable.

Internal transfers are encouraged; they alleviate boredom and allow for expanding skills.

The benefits, though limited in number, are excellent and well-priced. The health care plans are some of the best and least expensive I've had in my 10+ year career.

Managers do not always have management experience or training, so Amazon's policy of allowing an IC to "try out" being a manager can backfire.

The opaque employee evaluation process requires your manager to advocate on your behalf, but this requires preparation and time that are now under more pressure than ever by projects and other priorities.

Compensation and salary caps that do not adjust for inflation make Amazon less competitive with other employers, particularly when other employers are putting in extra effort to attract and retain talent.

As Amazon's culture has changed, the cost of staying has increased while the compensation for staying has decreased or remained stagnant. The "5th-year cliff" after hiring incentives (2 years for sign-on, 2 years of RSU vesting) is steep.

Amazon has less on employee growth and retention for far too long. Exponential hiring growth and loss of tenured employees are unsustainable business practices that have already damaged Amazon's culture and will eventually damage its businesses unless remediated.