What Really Matters When Breaking Into Amazon After a PhD – with Dr. Irena Palamani Xhuxhi

In this episode of PostPhDirections, we talk with IrenaPalamani Xhuxhi, an AI Tech Lead at Amazon, about her inspiring journey from academia to the tech industry. Irena shares how she managed a PhD in economics while raising two children, applied to nearly 70 jobs, and overcame imposter syndrome to land her role at Amazon — the only tech job she applied for.
We explore the mindset shifts needed to move from research to industry, how to frame academic experience for tech roles, and why communication and adaptability matter just as much as technical skills. If you’re thinking about a career…