Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University Selected as Amazon Career Choice Education Partners

By: Amazon

Amazon is proud to announce that Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University are new Career Choice Education Partners, providing Amazon’s hourly employees access to undergraduate degrees and certificate programs.

Amazon’s Career Choice program is an education benefit that empowers employees to learn new skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere. The program meets individual learners where they are on their educational journey through a variety of education and upskilling opportunities including pre-paid college tuition, industry certifications designed to lead to in-demand jobs, and foundational skills such as English language proficiency, high school diplomas, and GEDs. In the U.S., the company is investing $1.2 billion to upskill more than 300,000 employees by 2025 to help move them into higher-paying, in-demand jobs. The program is open to hourly employees who have worked for the company for at least 90 days.

The Career Choice program launched in 2012 and is now live in 14 countries (Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, and the U.S.) and works with more than 300 educational providers globally. More than 90,000 Amazon employees have participated globally since its inception, with more than 60,000 in the U.S. More than half of Amazon Career Choice participants identify as Black, Hispanic, or Native American, and globally, the most popular fields of study are healthcare, transportation, and information technology.

Amazon’s Career Choice program has a rigorous selection process for third-party partner educators, choosing partners that are focused on helping employees through their education programs, assisting them with job placements, and overall offering education that leads to career success. Both NSU and ODU have proven records and unwavering missions to help students —including Amazon employees — through their education programs, which can help lead them to career success.

“We’re thrilled to have Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University on board as Education Partners for Career Choice, adding to the hundreds of best-in-class offerings available to our employees,” said Tammy Thieman, Global Program Lead of Amazon’s Career Choice program. “We’re committed to empowering our more than 5,000 employees in the Hampton Roads region by providing them access to the education and training they need to grow their careers, whether that’s with us or elsewhere. We have intentionally created a partner network of third-party educators and employers committed to providing excellent education, job placement resources, and continuous improvements to the experience. Today, more than 90,000 Amazon employees around the world have participated in Career Choice and we’ve seen first-hand how it can transform their lives.”

“Since inception, Norfolk State University has met students where they are and offered a supportive academic and culturally diverse environment for students to realize their dreams. Partnering with Amazon to become a Career Choice school provides another avenue to continue our mission” said President Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D. 

“Old Dominion University is dedicated to directly serving the Hampton Roads community,” said President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “Becoming an Amazon Career Choice school continues our commitment to bettering the lives and careers of workers in the region.”