Interview stage... here we go

Yesterday I received an email from Amazon's university recruiting team: my application for Software Development Engineer Intern has moved to the interview stage.

That sentence hits different when you've been grinding quietly for months.

The message (in plain words)

They told me they're impressed with my application and that there are internship opportunities aligned with candidates who can commit 5-6 months in Barcelona. The first thing they asked was simple:

Are you available for a 5-6 month internship commitment?

I replied right away. Yes.

Next up: I've been told the process continues with two remote interviews (video calls). It's being coordinated by Amazon's university talent team, and it feels like the real deal now.

What I'm doing now

This is the part where preparation becomes less "study more" and more "be intentional".

My plan for the coming days is boring - and that's the point:

• Data structures + algorithms refresh, but focusing on patterns (not random problems).
• Explaining out loud while coding. If I can't explain it, I don't really own it.
• Amazon Leadership Principles in STAR format. Not buzzwords - real stories, real impact.
• Mock interviews with friends (and ruthless note-taking afterwards).

Two reminders I'm keeping close

1. Being interview-ready is a skill, not a personality trait. You can train it.
2. I don't need to be perfect - I need to be clear, structured, and honest about my thinking.

Gratitude moment

I'm grateful for the people who've helped along the way - classmates, mentors, and the random internet strangers who write posts that make you feel less alone in this process.

This is one step. But it's a big one for me.

I'll share how the interviews go (without spilling anything confidential). For now: time to practice, sleep, and keep the nerves friendly.