Studying in Dublin: how it helped launch my career at Amazon

Dublin is a vibrant city full of people from all around the world. There are so many career opportunities in Dublin.  

After arriving in Ireland in August 2020, my life in the past one-and-a-half years taught me to be open-minded and resilient, to appreciate and learn from others, and to embrace my imperfections. 

My experience includes working part-time as an academic tutor, a librarian in the university library and as a waitress in a restaurant in Dublin. I also did internships at the local taxation bureau and a life insurance company in Hong Kong. 

Amazon is a great start as my first full-time job. The recruitment process followed a clear timeline. It simply included uploading my CV, an online assessment and an interview with one recruitment manager. I was fully informed regarding the leadership principles of Amazon.  

The results of the assessment and interview were released quickly which I really appreciated. Sometimes I felt frustrated when companies ghosted me or had 10 pages of information and three online assessments even before having the chance for an interview! Therefore, it was a pleasant journey throughout the recruitment process with Amazon. 

I have to admit that landing a job during the pandemic was definitely not easy, but UCD supported me through that difficult time.  

In preparation for my job applications, I attended seminars about writing my CV and cover letters at UCD. I had a few one-on-one sessions consulting with career guides in Smurfit. I learned how to set up IT equipment and perform better in online interviews at job fairs hosted by UCD Smurfit.  

I didn’t know how to write a CV in English before studying at UCD but now I can communicate in English in professional scenarios, both verbally and written. 

My year at UCD Smurfit was unforgettable and a great learning experience.  

Apart from a very comprehensive and strong academic training, I really enjoyed the hands-on student projects and assignments which prepared me well for the real-life business world.  

The networking opportunities and resources are another reason I love Smurfit. I made great friends who offered valuable advice on my career and many other aspects of my life.