{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","contentId":"00000191-7130-d301-a99f-f7fceb380001","url":"https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/amazon-dream-job-skills-training","headline":"How a single mom who works at Amazon achieved career success and her dream of buying a home","description":"Meet robotics trainer Lina Hernandez, who advanced her life and career through one of Amazon’s upskilling programs.","datePublished":"2024-08-22T15:00:00Z","dateModified":"2024-08-22T15:00:00Z","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Amazon Staff","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/08549ff/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1125x1125+438+0/resize/84x84!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F47%2F6d%2F7fe296e642859c7ba2a629eda3ba%2Famazon-logo-hero-images-2024.jpg","width":"84","height":"84"}}],"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/08798b9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1000+0+0/resize/1200x600!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F6f%2Fbc%2Fd40f6b164f1dab8bcbc68172b897%2Fnj-025-final-lina-hero-2000x1125.jpg","width":"1200","height":"600"},"articleBody":"# How a single mom who works at Amazon achieved career success and her dream of buying a home\n\n*Meet robotics trainer Lina Hernandez, who advanced her life and career through one of Amazon’s upskilling programs.*\n\nWhen Lina Hernandez moved to the United States from Colombia, she never imagined she would one day achieve the American dream of homeownership. Yet, today, she proudly stands as a homeowner and an Amazon Robotics trainer.\n\n![A photo of an Amazon employee taking an online course on desktop and laptop devices.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/76bc8f7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1688x1125+156+0/resize/300x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F27%2F7a%2F3953910b4dffa21d643d59a540f2%2Fupskilling1.jpg)\n\n- [8 free skills training programs that help Amazon employees land higher-paying roles](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/our-upskilling-2025-programs)\n\nLina’s journey was anything but easy. She became a single mother at a very young age and faced the daunting challenge of navigating life in a new country where she spoke very little English. On top of that, the economy collapsed, leaving her in an impossible situation and needing to support her family. “I just needed a paycheck,” Lina recalls. “I had to reinvent myself.”\n\n![Amazon employee in safety vest walking through massive warehouse facility](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/963d9cc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x900+0+0/resize/767x431!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fb3%2Fed%2F2d59b53e4cdbaaf0da04c9484001%2Fnj-033-final-lina.jpg)\n\nHer reinvention began at Amazon, where she started working as a Level 1 associate. One of the most significant advantages of joining Amazon was the access to [medical benefits](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/amazon-health-benefits). For someone who hadn’t received medical insurance before, this benefit allowed Lina to take care of herself and her son and gave her piece of mind.\n\nLina's determination to succeed grew stronger as she settled into her role. She decided to make Amazon her career, and as she continued to develop new skills through upskilling and training initiatives, opportunities began to open up. Lina heard about the company’s investment in robotics and knew she wanted to be a part of it.\n\n![An employee who works with Amazon's robots](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/bb9d83c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1688x1125+162+0/resize/300x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F48%2Faa%2Fce8dc19440099571923066c64bb4%2Faa-oct2024-dtf-fidelrobot-standard-hero-v1-2000x1125.jpg)\n\n- [I work with Amazon's robots every day. Here's how they make my work safer and easier.](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/amazon-maintenance-manager-robots-safety-efficiency-upskilling)\n\n“The future is in robotics, and I was excited that Amazon offered the opportunity for people who are interested in growing their career to learn and gain important skills,” Lina shares. Through Amazon’s upskilling programs, Lina was able to apply for training at no cost to her. Her leaders at Amazon recognized her potential and supported her every step of the way.\n\n![Amazon employee smiling with coworkers in facility](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/0e3b741/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x900+0+0/resize/767x431!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F87%2Fd7%2F564957ad4544af9796f55aec4f5c%2Fnj-064-final-lina.jpg)\n\n“One of the great parts of working for Amazon is that if you are inquisitive, and you show that you work hard, you will be recognized—someone is going to discover you,” Lina said. “Managers allow you the flexibility to try lots of different career paths to see what’s right for you. And all of the training I received was pre-paid by Amazon.”\n\nThe opportunity to work at Amazon not only provided Lina with the stability she needed, but also opened doors she never thought possible. “Becoming a homeowner was something I never imagined when I first arrived in this country,” Lina reflects. “But through hard work and the opportunities Amazon provided, I was able to secure a future for myself and my family.”\n\n![Smiling woman in patterned shirt and jeans sitting outside traditional brick house](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/f15adcc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x900+0+0/resize/767x431!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F8a%2F89%2Ff18d45764f8890d91859de6c12c1%2Fnj-050-final-lina.jpg)\n\nThe ability to own a home represents more than just a financial milestone for Lina; it symbolizes the security and peace of mind that come with financial independence, a benefit that Amazon’s commitment to its employees makes possible.\n\n![An image of Amazon employee Francisco Nino in a work vest at Amazon in Greenwood, Indiana.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/dc7400d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1688x1125+2+0/resize/300x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fb9%2Fba%2F29c162cb400ab2180e656e6f21d6%2Fabout-amazon-hero-20220721-amazonindy-tg-0006.jpg)\n\n- [7 unique benefits and perks available to Amazon employees](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/lesser-known-amazon-employee-benefits)\n\n[The average pay for customer fulfillment and operations roles](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/how-much-does-amazon-pay) is currently over $22 per hour, and average total compensation to more than $29 per hour when including the value of their elected benefits. Depending on the position and location in the U.S., employees can earn between $18.50 and $29.50 per hour. In 2024, we invested more than $2.2 billion to increase wages which was our biggest ever annual investment in wages and benefits.\n\nLina’s journey to homeownership is not just about personal achievement; it’s a reminder that the American dream is within reach for anyone with the right opportunities and a relentless drive.\n\nNext, learn about [the benefits Amazon is offering employees—from free estate planning to free mental health care](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/new-benefits-for-amazon-employees).","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"About Amazon","url":"https://www.aboutamazon.com","sameAs":["https://x.com/amazonnews","https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon","https://www.instagram.com/amazonnews"],"logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/bd/8f/88e7b0314cc2bd05b9de3155a0fe/amazon-news.svg"},"parentOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Amazon","url":"https://www.amazon.com","sameAs":["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3884","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_(company)","https://x.com/Amazon"]}}}