Introduction
Hej everyone! I am Victoria — a software engineer based in London. This year, for the first time in my life, I had a chance to visit the United States and attend re:Invent in person and completely for free!
It all became possible thanks to the All Builders Grant from Amazon Web Services (AWS). In this article, I will share more about the application process, the conference itself and my experience there as an ABW Grant recipient.
Once upon in September, I’ve got a magical email:
Congratulations! Thank you for applying for the All Builders Welcome Grant. We are excited to offer you a grant to attend AWS re:Invent 2024 in Las Vegas, NV.
Shock, t̶e̶a̶r̶s̶, sharing the news with my family and friends. Me, in Las Vegas, for free? No way!
What is All Builders Grant
The AWS All Builders Welcome Grant is an initiative by Amazon Web Services to support individuals from underrepresented communities in technology.
It covers:
Ticket for re:Invent (usually costs more than $2000)
Roundtrip to Las Vegas
Hotel accommodation
Reserved seats for keynotes (absolutely priceless)
Certification voucher
$75 Uber e-gift card
Access to All Builders Grant Lounge
Unique swag and so much more!
Even more exciting: as a grant recipient, you gain access to unique experiences, networking opportunities and curated activities designed for learning, career growth, and community building!
Sounds awesome! Am I eligible?
To apply for the grant, you must:
You can only get the grant once. The requirements may differ next year, so don’t forget to check the eligibility criteria on the official website before applying.
The Application: Putting My Story Forward
I found the application process to be quite straightforward. As I filled out the application, I took the opportunity to reflect on my journey and share my aspirations for a career in cloud. Here are some of the topics I covered:
Cloud technology-related education (both formal and informal)
Work experience, activities and accomplishments
Cloud-related career plans and professional goals
My experience using AWS products and services
Overall, it took about a week to write my answers and review the application. Looking back, I think it all can be done much faster, but one extra revision never hurts, right? 😅
Las Vegas is Calling!
My journey from London to Las Vegas was very smooth. Upon arrival, I used the Uber voucher provided by AWS to book a taxi to Treasure Island — the hotel where all grant recipients stayed. Since everything was covered by AWS, I could fully relax and embrace the opportunity to learn and meet new people!
Beyond the benefits I already shared, All Builders Grant recipients have access to very supportive Slack community, fireside chats and engaging speed mentoring sessions. All participants are being split into groups and assigned a mentor — a program alumni, who kindly share more about their experiences and give advice on everything from effective sessions planning to best after-conference activities to attend.
Fireside Chat with Ian Wilson — Vice President of Human Resources for Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Advice for the Future Applicants
As you work on your application, take a moment to reflect on how attending re:Invent could positively impact your personal and professional growth. Are there any topics that resonate with you? Are there any technologists you are excited to meet the most?
Some questions require longer, thoughtful responses. When reviewing your application, ensure your answers are structured and easy to follow.
Last but not least — don’t hesitate, just apply! I would encourage you to share the information about the grant with others — nothing can be better than experiencing unforgettable re:Invent moments with your friends and colleagues!
Final Thoughts
Receiving All Builders Welcome Grant and attending AWS re:Invent has been a truly unforgettable experience! I really appreciate the opportunity to experience the event in-person and connect with so many great technologists from different countries.
If you are considering applying— I’d really encourage you to do so, as it will be an absolutely life-changing opportunity!
Thank you, AWS and All Builders Welcome team, for making this incredible opportunity a reality! A special thank you to Sheen Brisals and Monique Grinstein for your support and encouragement throughout the journey!
