Ask HN: Should I do a CS masters at Cambridge or start as a new grad at Amazon?

#1

Post by sspehr » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC

Basically what the title says. I'm in the very fortunate position to be able to decide between the two trajectories. What do you recommend if my goals are flexibility and money in the long term?

EDIT: It's very funny, I've asked the same thing on Reddit and over there 14 out of 15 comments advised me to take the job offer and here on HN the first 3 out of 3 comments tell me to do the masters

Re: Ask HN: Should I do a CS masters at Cambridge or start as a new grad at Amazon?

#2

Post by reactordev » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 6:11 PM UTC

Avoid Amazon

Re: Ask HN: Should I do a CS masters at Cambridge or start as a new grad at Amazon?

#3

Post by dfee » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 6:12 PM UTC

I've not worked at Amazon, but work in other big tech. If you were my son, I'd tell you to pursue Cambridge. Amazon employment isn't that special.

(i've been in industry for 18+ years, went to a name brand school, and live in the heart of silicon valley. Cambridge, i'd imagine, gives you at the least a more interesting story, and at the most a different opportunity set. amazon is now the lower bar of what you should hope to attain after Cambridge.)

Re: Ask HN: Should I do a CS masters at Cambridge or start as a new grad at Amazon?

#4

Post by _ink_ » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 6:12 PM UTC

I'd chose Cambridge every time. But that's because I think I'd enjoy the time on the campus much more than in the corporate hell of Amazon. YMMV.

Re: Ask HN: Should I do a CS masters at Cambridge or start as a new grad at Amazon?

#5

Post by omosubi » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 6:13 PM UTC

flip a coin, the option you want while the coin is in the air is what you should do.

Re: Ask HN: Should I do a CS masters at Cambridge or start as a new grad at Amazon?

#6

Post by NotParth11 » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 6:16 PM UTC

omosubi wrote: post #5

flip a coin, the option you want while the coin is in the air is what you should do.

This is actually good advice i'm not gonna lie

Re: Ask HN: Should I do a CS masters at Cambridge or start as a new grad at Amazon?

#7

Post by colejhudson » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 6:17 PM UTC

Cambridge- for a few reasons: (A) Amazon would likely offer you another position if you still wanted to work there. (B) It’ll probably never be easier for you to go to, and do well, in school than at your current age / position. (C) You’ll meet a wide variety of people that’ll broaden your horizons.

Re: Ask HN: Should I do a CS masters at Cambridge or start as a new grad at Amazon?

#8

Post by gsk320 » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 6:17 PM UTC

Depends on your history, what team you're on at Amazon and what you are planning to study at Cambridge. In general, I would choose Cambridge, but if your undergrad was at a Tier1 university and you are working on a truly cutting edge team at Amazon, then you can consider Amazon.

Re: Ask HN: Should I do a CS masters at Cambridge or start as a new grad at Amazon?

#9

Post by kevdoran » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 6:17 PM UTC

Do what you want to do

Re: Ask HN: Should I do a CS masters at Cambridge or start as a new grad at Amazon?

#10

Post by sspehr » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 6:19 PM UTC

omosubi wrote: post #5

flip a coin, the option you want while the coin is in the air is what you should do.

The thing is I don't have a strong preference since intellectually I would be more interested in Cambridge, but would prefer living in the location for which I've got the Amazon offer - and in addition to that I'm confident that I will be happy with either choice, so for me it's really just about taking the rational choice career-wise