Sea Services Leadership Association

Amazon Partners with SSLA to Discuss Career Opportunities for Military Women

Many recognize Sea Services Leadership Association as a resource for active-duty military women, but SSLA also helps those transitioning out of the services. 

As part of SSLA’s inaugural Joint Women’s Leadership Virtual Series, a twelve-session webinar program providing professional development for military servicewomen and veterans, one session brought together six experts from the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon. The hour-long panel, recorded live Sept. 1 and moderated by SSLA Vice President Corinne Powers, discussed several opportunities for military members wishing to work to work for Amazon – or exploring their post-military options.

Three Amazon recruiters and three Amazon employees (who were also either military spouses and veterans) described the ways in which the company integrates the military community into their day-to-day operations. This commitment starts at the top levels of senior leadership, as Amazon’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos recognizes the unique skills those who have the served bring to his organization. 

As noted on one of the company’s pages seeking veteran hires, “We actively seek leaders who can invent, think big, have a bias for action and deliver results on behalf of our customers,” Bezos said. 

During the panel, Powers interviewed team members from Amazon’s Worldwide Operations team, a cadre of more than 250,000 employees which comprise the company’s 175 fulfillment centers. 

The company has had a formalized military recruitment program for more than 10 years and has exceeded their goal of hiring 25,000 military members and spouses by 2021. The latest figures show that Amazon has hired more than 41,000 military members and spouses.  

On an individual level, Amazon offers transitioning members interview preparation webinars, three formalized mentoring programs, generous parental leave that includes fathers and those adopting a child, and a program called Warriors@Amazon which serves as an affinity group for military members. Amazon also launched a military spouse affinity group last year on Veterans Day.

Stephanie Peterson, an Amazon site leader and former Air Force lieutenant colonel intelligence officer, shared how Amazon recognized her skills as a military leader. 

“I appreciated Amazon because they respected military service. Even though I did not know how to run Amazon operations, I was able to use my military service and leadership skills. They helped me grow into this job. They are truly a leader when it comes to embracing people.”  

Watch the webinar here.   For veterans seeking a career with Amazon, please visit here.  

Please visit the JWLS virtual series calendar for a listing of upcoming webinars, and find Sea Services Leadership Association on Facebook here. 

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