Apprentice Spotlight: Ayon

We are thrilled to recognize Ayon, an H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program high school senior and a Prime Video Software Engineer Apprentice at Amazon HQ2! The CareerWise DC apprentice is making significant strides in software engineering. He's mastering coding and problem-solving, building on his experience developing a multi-sport scoreboard app. Here is our Q&A with Ayon:

What’s a fun fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that I developed a multi-sport scoreboard app that was published on the Google Play Store, combining my love for sports and technology.

What inspired you to apply and join the apprenticeship program?

I was inspired to apply for the apprenticeship program because I wanted to gain hands-on experience in software engineering while still in high school. The opportunity to work on real-world projects at Amazon and learn directly from experienced engineers was a chance I couldn’t pass up. My passion for computer engineering and my desire to create meaningful technology solutions motivated me to take this leap.

What's one technical skill and one soft skill you are developing so far?

One technical skill I am developing is coding, particularly in Kotlin and TypeScript, through my work on Prime Video projects. Debugging code, building new features, and collaborating on solutions have helped me strengthen my programming abilities. A soft skill I’m developing is problem-solving. Whether it’s troubleshooting code errors or finding efficient solutions to project challenges, I’ve learned to approach problems methodically and creatively, ensuring that each solution is both functional and user-friendly.

During your apprenticeship experience thus far, what project, task, or achievement are you most proud of? 

One achievement I’m most proud of is getting my first code review approved during my apprenticeship. It was a challenging task that required careful attention to detail, learning from feedback, and making multiple revisions. Seeing my code meet the team’s standards and knowing it would be part of a larger project was incredibly rewarding. It gave me a strong sense of accomplishment and reinforced my confidence in my abilities as a software engineer.

How has this apprenticeship shaped your career goals?

This apprenticeship has solidified my desire to pursue a career in computer engineering, with a focus on software development. Working on practical projects has shown me the importance of building solutions that not only function well but also improve people’s experiences. This experience has also reinforced my excitement for the next step—next fall, I’ll be attending the University of Virginia to major in Computer Engineering, where I hope to continue building technology that makes a difference.

What advice would you give to high school students thinking about applying for a Careerwise apprenticeship?

My advice is to go for it, even if it feels daunting at first. An apprenticeship offers a unique chance to apply what you learn in school to real-world situations. Be curious, ask questions, and take every opportunity to learn from your mentors and peers. It’s not just about gaining technical skills but also about growing as a person and discovering your strengths.