Day in the Life of an Amazon Software Engineer | Life after Layoffs, Working at the Spheres

Hi everyone,
Welcome back to another work day vlog~ I know it's been a while since my last one and if you're new here ~welcome~ I work as a backend software engineer based in Seattle.
With the recent mass layoffs in the tech industry, it was frankly a very anxious and stressful period so it didn't feel right to film. Especially since I was seeing a lot of talented individuals being impacted within my own team/org. There was a lot of uncertainty and there still are but I'm in a much better place!
I hope you enjoy this quick work day vlog. Thank you for your support~
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[Timestamps]
00:00 Morning Routine
02:20 Commute to Office
02:56 Daily Stand Up/Code
03:46 Backlog Grooming
04:38 Lunch at Spheres
05:37 More Coding
06:17 Evening Routine

[@rominagomez8487]

LOVE these vblogs from female Software Engineers (and I'm already a Frontend engineer!). Might be a simple video but you could be inspiring other girls to get into the tech industry, keep going!

[@imjenncho]

thank you! this is the reason why i started yt 💖

[@light8030]

@@imjennchothank u❤😊🙏🌷

[@Tezah89]

I am one of the girls interested in tech and LOVE seeing women in tech 🧡

[@lkk_lkl]

Yeah, she is inspiring me so much 💗

[@johannapark]

i'm currently studying cs in uni so this inside look from someone "similar" to me was super cool to see! the open work spaces seem so nice and ur cat is sho cute omg 😭

[@imjenncho]

thank you! best of luck at uni~~

[@the_ghost_investor]

I am so happy that you survived the layoff. Sorry about your teammates who got laid off.

[@AK255.]

Idk about this one Lol

[@angelachanelhuang1651]

Who got laid off?

[@wmhfv992]

@@angelachanelhuang1651 A ton of people at a lot of tech companies like Google, Amazon, Salesforce, and more. It's been all over the news for the past 2 years.

[@SYDAirlineEnthusiast]

They hire off those who are less efficient. Judging from her videos, she finishes her work within a couple of hours, which is why she is still employed. The layoff is not over though. It is still happening as we speak.

[@shre9]

So good to see your vlog again Jen! ❤

[@luluxwang]

love this video Jenn! happy you didn't weren't impacted by the layoffs but it's still very anxiety-inducing and stressful regardless. hope you're taking care of yourself!

[@imjenncho]

thank you 💖 hope you’re taking care of yourself too!

[@imshulei]

王姐 你好

[@software-with-rosh]

This is so relaxing to watch! And I totally get it with life after layoffs

[@imjenncho]

Thanks Rosh! I hope all is well :)

[@sparkatronnnn]

Love this !! I’m a beginning coder and I love seeing this ur day in the life content ❤

[@imjenncho]

thanks Sarah! i hope your coding journey is going well💗

[@atmy_pace]

Always love seeing your videos and your dinner date is super adorable as always!

[@imjenncho]

Thank you! 💖

[@TJSIlver]

Loving ur vlogs. I also work in the tech industry (software qa engineer) . Seeing how u balance everything is very motivational. you're beautiful and your cat is cute!!

[@yuthq.p_212yy5]

You’ve just inspired me to keep going in this tech industry

[@OPauloJunior]

Loving your videos since the first! Waiting for a desk tour video 🙂

[@nonimitharuni9304]

Waited for a vlog from you. Thank you

[@IBadIBoyIJC]

So basically u have 1 hr to 'relax' before u have to go to bed if u want to get that 8 hrs sleep... how is this living?

[@abhi_25246]

Relaxing . Aesthetic . Inspiring Great Job!

[@silentplaygames]

I love your videos! Keep up good work Jehn :)

[@joymae]

So sorry to hear about the layoffs. Unfortunately it's becoming so common these days in the tech industry.

[@vivekpujaravp]

Change of scenery helps me debug haha. Awesome vid, cat, and food recs

[@8randomprettysecret8]

Nice video editing style! The aesthetic is beautiful 🤩

[@sydneykowalski1272]

Beautiful as always 🥰

[@Calvin_Chen]

I love that brown sugar oat creamer, so good!

[@sarahliyt]

hi jenn! I just found your channel and i love how calming your intros and your voice is! Also, i think its so fun that you convinced your manager to start your stand up later. I am not a morning person at all, i wish i could convince my profs to start later too haha :D

[@imjenncho]

hi sarah, thank you! my goal this year is to become a morning person, but it's difficult so far 🥲

[@Chi_di]

SWE here also, love that you actually showed yourself getting work done and not just office perks. I get that same kimchi from Costco, it's pretty good. I never tried making kimchi fried rice, I think I'll try it tonight with my leftover RightRice.

[@imjenncho]

Thank you! Hope the kimchi fried rice turns out good 😋

[@Chi_di]

It was so yummy! 🤍

[@user-fg4ql8oe9g]

Nice, from Brazil watching you!!

[@alexyu4629]

Hey Jen, glad to see you're hanging in there 😌

[@imjenncho]

thank you! Hope everything is going well with you too 😊

[@goolegsekjgas3118]

OMG gurll you're slaying! This video was so well made I thought you had a million subs! Keep working at it gurlll you'll be up there in no time! P.s. you're pretty xoxo

[@imjenncho]

Thank you!! I appreciate the kind words~~

[@douglasvinicius6969]

Hi ! Your vlogs are amazing and inspire me because the layoffs desmotivate me because actually i study CS im Uni, and it made me question my choice

[@imjenncho]

thank you! it’s a difficult time in the industry at the moment but don’t let it demotivate you and your studies :) it’s still a great career path!

[@ashifraza2919]

ur blogging skills r just sooo amazing...... keep it up......🤗

[@user-ew2qh5ms4g]

this is kind of cool to see because i do work in the building right over next to the spheres :D

[@martinmyung4710]

It’s nice that you get to change up the work scene from AM to PM.

[@aiz999]

hello! i totally can relate with not being able to start new shows after modern family. for weeks i had just been rewatching episodes bc i loved it so much 😫 the only show that got me out of it is the show Scrubs. its hilarious and so well written in my opinion. i love love the characters and their stories! i hope you'll like it too

[@imjenncho]

I’ve found a new kdrama to watch as well but modern family will always be a go to

[@nicolelong2709]

I loved Modern Family, I’ve found these similar and really good…The Goldbergs, American Housewife, and one of my absolute favorites is The Middle.

[@nickstrands]

loving the videos as always! just wondering, are you planning any kind of code-related or coding workflow-related content on your channel?

[@imjenncho]

It’s crossed my mind a few times but not quite sure 🤔

[@abbasithatta]

Even tho this is a simple video its super inspiring for me (as a tech student just starting).

[@english_bender]

Hi Jenn, thanks for positive vlogs, I would like to know what kind of keyboard do you use in your daily life coding. One that has the colorful keys on it seems very good one.

[@axisinvestors]

Good Video! I'm sure you will find something better!

[@light8030]

I love your kitty😼and video at all thank u so much❤

[@glamremarks]

I have found your blogs just recently and i really enjoy them 😊 Can you share your backpack brand please(I've been looking for one feels like for ever)?

[@ManuelGamesYT1550]

This inspires me to finish my career as a systems engineer :)

[@rokeynehar9466]

❤️ Love from india 🇮🇳. You are creating amazing vlog content and you looks pretty good in every vlog.

[@inv0019]

My return offer got delayed 6 months. I really wanted to come back to the office this May. I miss my time at Amazon Doppler building during my internship.

[@lv6773]

Glad you survived the layoffs! Keep up the great content! It’s definitely a contrast to the PIP culture purported on Blind

[@imjenncho]

thank you!

[@stuartxmills]

Halt and Catch Fire is a great series. It's also computer nerd friendly.

[@imjenncho]

thank you! i'll add it to my list~

[@cassioazevedo1482]

Looks like a very soft job.

[@itsyaboimat2393]

Hey Jen! I'm getting into coding but have mild cerebral palsy do you have any type of code per minute quota well you're at work?, that's the only two things I'm really worried about Is typing quotas and how math heavy is it

[@firefistmight2821]

Glad to hear you survived the layoffs! Gotta admit, I was very jealous to hear your stand ups are at 10. mine are at 8:45 :)

[@imjenncho]

That's too early! Even 9:30am was too early for me lol

[@firefistmight2821]

@@imjenncho 🤣🤣 enjoy the good life!

[@Micha-bp5om]

Mine at 9:15, I find it good 😊

[@tylerliu2760]

Glad you weren’t impacted, and congrats on the new apartment!!

[@imjenncho]

thank you 😇🙏🏻

[@JasonBorn3814]

The keyboard is cute, where did you get it🙂

[@walidsi71]

What is the size and resolution of the monitors you have at your office desks in the video? Thanks.

[@samiles171094]

For watch, my recommendation is Ted Lasso

[@bin4ry_d3struct0r]

I'm glad you survived the purge. 3:35 - I see you got a Keychron. I had my eye on their K1 TKL until I learned they only have wired and bluetooth connectivity modes (no 2.4 GHz dongle), and lags while using bluetooth are common. How's your experience with it thus far?

[@oleggold]

Where do I see this, but a couple + kids + dog + chores. And family events, doctor appointments, meeting with friends, reading a book or watching some tv. I looks like being a programmer is something you do while single. How do other people do it with a family and a bunch of other stuff in their lives?

[@readingforklaire3252]

i have become a big fan. Greetings from mexico!

[@imshulei]

Did you go to the office early for the video shoot? Because I saw no one else in the office

[@brianruizy]

You’re back! 🙌 Sphere looks so cool! So anyone can go there?

[@imjenncho]

Yes! Employees can go in anytime and also bring in guests. It's also open to the public during certain times of the month but you have to register for a tour I think. Overall, it's definitely a cool space to work in~

[@abhijitmaitra9095]

Just wanted to ask this question . As an engineer do u get enough leisure time and holidays so u can go on trips?

[@slipely]

Im learning from the cs50 course, trying to learn to code and maybe get a job in the Field, you have any advance on what sort of job would fit? Like i jnow front end, back end , full stack. But are there anymore from your experience, thanks for the vid 🙏

[@natisnotes]

What code environment do you usually use?

[@klsajdklajldkadad]

Where can I find that blue/pink keyboard?

[@mmaarafat]

Hi, I am arafat from poland. I liked the keyboard while you was typing for code & debug. can you tell me the name of keyboard ?

[@pupu165]

Love u❤

[@DJDREAMER524]

Serious question what brand of frying pan is that? @ the 7:00 point near the end of the video.

[@imjenncho]

This is the always pan from our place!

[@natisaver]

HAHA i love meyers handsoap

[@jrivers7516]

whats the espresso machine you have if you dont mind sharing?

[@mangoclient]

i heard the glass panes on the spheres are bullet proof ! (i thought it was cool) haha

[@TradingJoven18]

like your videos. just asking, do you get free food in the office?

[@raman2820]

Hey can you add a link to your keyboard? it's really sick

[@matiasignacio9353]

What keyboard do u use in the office?

[@keithbacalso9433]

We have same headphones XM5 😍

[@kityan6472]

What’s your opinion on using chatgpt in a workplace

[@Imperial_Dynamics]

my dream woman

[@JulesStylesHey]

What headphones do you use?

[@kayteeeweee]

Your vlog is interesting!

[@IOMA888]

What’s your backpack brand?

[@palashbawankar8218]

gym after work always a tough call for me 😂

[@lillianzhang_]

where did you get your keyboard? :D

[@imjenncho]

lol I have so many 🤭 Home keyboard is this one! amzn.to/3lIhft2 The key caps were bought separately :)

[@twinklegadgetss]

good job

[@Alan.livingston]

After observing the U.S from afar for many decades I think I have a good handle on the people and the culture. One thing I just don’t get is Creamer. What on earth is it and why do people do that to their coffee. Nobody else seems to have adopted it?

[@luluxwang]

do you mind sharing what camera you use to film and software you use for editing?

[@imjenncho]

My camera is Sony ZV-1 and I use Final Cut Pro for my editing! My first few yt videos were actually shot on just my iPhone too :)

[@luluxwang]

@@imjenncho thank you!! 💖

[@EnGieBenGie90]

Try to watch "Southland" if you ever watched the movie "End of Watch" it's similar in a way but its a series, very good too!

[@imjenncho]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@EnGieBenGie90]

@@imjenncho Also, love your videos! You are Very Beautiful

[@gugag4384]

what is your white keyboard??

[@Sont1207]

omg your cat is so cute

[@harinadar1355]

love your videos💟, my recomendation for shows will be true beauty, hometown cha cha cha, crash landing on you, guardian the lonely and the great god, watch these if you have not..🤞

[@imjenncho]

omg thank you~ i actually started to rewatch guardian the lonely and great god the other day! it's one of my favorite kdramas

[@diyamariyam7549]

Does this job require presentation skill?I have social anxiety but I want to become a software engineer🥺

[@andrewgrant788]

Got a little confused about the “code review”, I guess its Amazon’s term for a pull request.

[@lisac.2438]

really surprised, they don't let you do this at home?

[@ericlio6278]

What is that keyboard tho?

[@kimeiga]

my favorite people on my team got laid off but i think fb had our round before yall; hope everythings going ok with you!

[@imjenncho]

That must’ve been hard :( hope everything is going well with you too!

[@kimeiga]

I’m also impressed at the amount of meetings you guys have daily; i think the culture at fb is very meeting light in comparison

[@ozlem7932]

i loved ur dinner date

[@batmunkhn6666]

what are some technical skills you lacked when you first joined the team? im looking for my first developer job and scared i wont know simple things at work

[@tiffanycurtis4794]

So happy for anyone that can survive the times we are living in god is the reason 🙏🏿

[@parsefal4664]

wow : ) i glad to see you : ) Я очень рад тебя видеть и поздравляю с праздником! :) С Днем Святого Валентина! : ) 💜💜💜 your little russian friend :)

[@remimonsel9944]

we have kind of the same day expect that you make better dinners that I do. 😅

[@MrChris2016]

1:00 how to ruin a perfectly good espresso

[@KulwantSingh-xr4si]

If you don't mind me asking - do you have many social interaction throughout the day?

[@imjenncho]

If my teammates are in the office, yes! Otherwise, it can be a lonely day 🥹

[@KulwantSingh-xr4si]

@@imjenncho What about friends/family outside of work?

[@mcgeeyao]

is the key board NJ80?

[@imjenncho]

Yes! It’s a great keyboard

[@bleupiano]

Nice journey! Merci! From France!

[@KulwantSingh-xr4si]

First! Yes! I'm actually first!

[@itshadhouda]

ure so cuute ilove ur videos ❤❤❤❤

[@toubeelo1979]

Watch Shrinking if you have Apple TV+

[@CodingNinjaExAmazon]

Hello. I am a former Amazon employee from Japan, and on my channel, I explain LeetCode problems. I have a question I'd like to ask. To put it simply, I've been told that using Amazon's name to channel name, uploading videos with Amazon's name or office footage are illegal from an active AWS software engineer working in India. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Or have you received requests from KZbin or Amazon to remove videos? I don't intend to disrupt your comment section, so if my comment is bothering you, feel free to delete it. Thank you.

[@cynthiamartinez2328]

she took circuits fluids