I joined AWS on October 10th, 2022. I still remember it vividly – the feeling of landing in London, walking into the office for the first time, and meeting the colleagues who I’m lucky enough to call my friends today. These last few days have brought all those memories rushing back. The late nights, the breakthrough moments on different projects, and the lessons tucked away in every single challenge. I remember it all like it was yesterday.
Looking back, I’m not the same person who walked through those doors three years ago. I’ve grown into a better engineer, I’ve found more patience, and I’ve developed a different kind of confidence. Don’t get me wrong – I felt confident back then, too – but the Varun standing here today is totally different. I started with a scattered knowledge of AWS technologies; today, I can build them. That’s the kind of transformation this experience has given me.
It wasn’t always a smooth ride. In fact, it was one of the most challenging and inspiring chapters of my life. I had the privilege of working with some of the most talented individuals in the industry, building technologies for global clients, and learning at a pace I never thought possible.
But Big Tech also taught me the reality of the “mental tax.” Life at a giant like this is rewarding, but your brain tends to be “always on.” When you’re on the frontline, the pressure is constant. I learned the hard way that discipline isn’t just about working hard – it’s about the discipline to stop. You have to learn the skill of letting go and how to switch off your brain when the day is done. These things are so easy to say, but incredibly hard to actually do. This balance is perhaps the most valuable thing AWS taught me.
As I close this chapter, I’m carrying forward more than just technical skills. I’m taking the friendships, the resilience, and the clarity of knowing what it takes to perform at the highest level without losing myself. Thank you, AWS, for the ride of a lifetime.
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