Amazon: Diverse Community, Internships and Apprenticeships
Muslim Tech Fest (MTF) is a groundbreaking initiative that brings together tech professionals, innovators, and companies to foster innovation and inclusivity within the Muslim community. At MTF London 2024, Amazon showcased its commitment to creating an inclusive workplace and attracting diverse talent. In this case study, we explore how Amazon’s sponsorship of MTF resulted in increased visibility, stronger community engagement, and alignment with its mission to promote diversity in tech.
An Unexpected Success: Amazon at MTF London
Amazon’s decision to sponsor MTF London was part of its broader effort to connect with diverse communities, particularly the Muslim tech community. The turnout and response exceeded all expectations. Fam Kha’lique, a representative from Amazon, admitted, “I didn’t expect it to be as good as it was. The sheer amount of people that turned up, I was impressed.” The event attracted nearly a thousand attendees, with a significant number stopping by Amazon’s stand to learn more about job opportunities, internships, and apprenticeships.
Engaging the Community: Internships and Apprenticeships
One of the key reasons Amazon participated in MTF was to promote its various internship and apprenticeship programs. Many attendees were curious to learn about how Amazon fosters an inclusive work environment for Muslims. Amazon took full advantage of the platform, discussing everything from open roles to the supportive Muslim community at Amazon. Kha’lique highlighted, “Lots of people were asking what it’s like being a Muslim at Amazon.”
Through direct conversations, attendees learned about Amazon’s provisions for Muslim employees, such as prayer rooms, halal menus, and wudu areas. These elements underscored the company’s efforts to create an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive.
Brand Visibility and Recognition
Amazon’s participation in MTF wasn’t just about promoting jobs—it was also about enhancing brand visibility. The company’s presence at the event served as a testament to its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Kha’lique explained, “The fact that people learned about how active we are at Amazon, and the support we offer to our Muslim employees, gave them a sense of stability and trust in the company.”
By engaging with the MTF audience, Amazon was able to position itself as a leader in fostering an inclusive work environment, where Muslims and people from other underrepresented groups can feel supported.
Driving Recruitment Through Innovation
Amazon used QR codes to help attendees explore internship and job opportunities. This approach proved highly effective, with Kha’lique mentioning, “People were definitely scanning the codes. Loads came back even after the event to ask us more about how to get into Amazon.”
These direct interactions provided Amazon with a strong pool of prospective candidates and allowed interested attendees to stay connected with recruitment teams after the event.
Aligning with Amazon’s Mission of Inclusivity
For Amazon, sponsoring MTF was about more than just recruiting talent—it was about demonstrating the company’s core values of diversity and inclusion. Kha’lique summed it up perfectly: “It’s a way for us to recruit more Muslims into Amazon. And with just under a thousand attendees, it was money well spent for advertising and visibility.”
By aligning with MTF’s mission to empower Muslim professionals in tech, Amazon was able to strengthen its brand as an inclusive employer and showcase its dedication to supporting diverse talent in the tech industry.
Key Takeaways:
- Unexpected Success: Amazon’s sponsorship of MTF London surpassed expectations, with significant community engagement and footfall.
- Brand Visibility: The event offered a platform for Amazon to reinforce its reputation as an inclusive employer, dedicated to fostering a welcoming environment for Muslim employees.
- Inclusive Work Environment: Attendees were impressed by Amazon’s commitment to inclusivity, including resources like prayer rooms, halal menus, and a strong Muslim community at work.
- Direct Engagement: The use of QR codes allowed Amazon to easily connect with attendees and generate interest in job opportunities, internships, and apprenticeships.
- Mission Alignment: Sponsoring MTF helped Amazon achieve its goals of promoting diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, making it a highly successful initiative.
Arfah Farooq
Co-Founder of Muslim Tech Fest
Arfah Farooq is the co-founder of Muslim Tech Fest, Europe’s biggest gathering of Muslims shaping the tech world, and Muslamic Makers, a community helping Muslim changemakers thrive in tech and beyond. With a background in both public and private sectors, Arfah has launched impactful initiatives like the Number 10 Innovation Fellowship and a 1,500-strong product and delivery manager network for the UK Government. Recognized as one of Computer Weekly’s Top 11 Most Influential Women in Tech (2023) and a London Tech Week Changemaker (2018), Arfah is passionate about creating spaces where diversity drives innovation. When she’s not building communities, she’s researching and advocating for the next generation of Muslim women in tech as a Winston Churchill Fellow.
