Rhys Gilkenson
About Rhys Gilkenson
Rhys Gilkenson is a Software Development Engineer with a background in Computer Science and Chinese Language and Culture from Tufts University. He has experience working at Amazon Web Services and currently works at Amazon USA Alexa in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Work at Amazon Usa Alexa
Rhys Gilkenson currently holds the position of Software Development Engineer at Amazon USA Alexa. He has been with the company since 2022, contributing to various projects and initiatives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His role involves developing software solutions that enhance the capabilities of Alexa, Amazon's voice-activated virtual assistant.
Previous Experience at Amazon Web Services
Prior to his current role, Rhys worked at Amazon Web Services (AWS) as a Software Development Engineer. He had two separate tenures at AWS, first as an intern in the summer of 2020, where he focused on the OpenAPI Generator project, and then as a full-time engineer from 2021 to 2022. His work involved creating client-generated SDKs for API invocation and contributing to software development efforts in Seattle, Washington.
Education and Expertise
Rhys Gilkenson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Chinese Language and Culture from Tufts University, where he studied from 2017 to 2021. His education provided him with a strong foundation in software development and language skills. Additionally, he served as a Teaching Assistant for an introductory Computer Science course and as a Teaching Fellow for a Data Structures course at Tufts, gaining valuable experience in tutoring and teaching.
Language Proficiency and Cultural Experience
Rhys has over seven years of experience learning Mandarin Chinese, which includes studying abroad at Beijing Normal University. This experience allowed him to enhance his language skills and cultural understanding, further enriching his educational background and professional capabilities.
Early Career and Other Roles
Before entering the tech industry, Rhys held various positions that contributed to his skill set. He worked as a Customer Service Associate at Walgreens from 2018 to 2020, where he developed customer interaction skills. Additionally, he served as Access Service Staff at Tufts University from 2017 to 2019, supporting library services and operations.