When Aaron Pinto Tamayo first joined AHC’s College and Career Readiness (CCR) program, he didn’t know what he wanted to do after high school. Now, he’s one of the youngest staff members at Amazon.
Aaron graduated from CCR in June 2024 and started working with Amazon a few months later.
“When I was hired, I was really excited,” Aaron said. “It took me a few hundred applications before I got accepted — and not just to Amazon but to other companies … I visited the building before I got the job just to see where I’d be working and especially on the first day I was like, ‘Whoa, no way.’”
Aaron grew up in AHC’s Gates of Ballston community in Arlington, Virginia. When he was young, he developed a passion for technology — but he didn’t know how that could translate into a career. Through CCR, he said he learned more about potential paths after high school and the importance of working hard.
“It’s really important to say to someone growing up that you could always do it — you always have it in you,” Aaron said. “And when I got out of CCR, it’s not like I immediately got the job. I had to work for many, many months. ”
He said CCR was a huge support in his life. One of his favorite parts was going on college tours.
“I’d never seen what a university was like in person,” Aaron said. “[Going on] the college visits I still think is impactful even if you never go to a college because you see the drive and determination of people. You see what it can be like, and you see what you want out of that.”
Now, he works as a software tester at Amazon, testing new features before they reach customers.
“You’re the final line of defense before it reaches customers,” he said.
Aaron said there was a learning curve when he first started, but now, over a year later, he is grateful for the challenge.
“My first few months at Amazon [was] learning how everything works, learning how the software development cycle works, working with the QAs and Devs,” Aaron said. “Although I was the youngest at the company — it was a bit scary and daunting — but definitely I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”
Aaron is currently enrolled at Western Governors University, with tuition covered by Amazon, working toward his goal of becoming a machine learning engineer.
“From the moment he joined CCR, Aaron’s resilience and dedication have stood out. It has been truly inspiring to watch Aaron grow from a CCR student to a young professional, achieving his goal of working at Amazon while pursuing his degree full-time and navigating his post-secondary plans,” Brenda Quintanilla, AHC Regional CCR Coordinator, said. “Stories like Aaron’s are exactly why CCR exists, and we cannot wait to see all that he will continue to achieve.”
He said he also wants to stay in touch with the CCR program and mentor students as his career progresses.
This summer, CCR’s Summer Academy visited Amazon’s HQ2 and heard from Aaron about his experience. He wants current students to feel empowered and never give up.
“There can be someone more talented than you. There can be someone that’s already ahead of you, but if you just don’t stop, eventually you’re going to catch up to them and do better.”
– Aaron Pinto Tamayo, CCR Graduate
When Aaron thinks back on his time in CCR, he sees what a strong foundation the program was in his life.
“I think that CCR just held me together even when things weren’t going good,” Aaron said. “Life always hits — it doesn’t matter who you are — and I think having CCR as a backbone when you’re an adolescent helps a lot.”
Learn more about AHC’s College and Career Readiness program. Want to support our work? Consider giving a gift today to help more AHC students like Aaron achieve their dreams. Donate now.
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