When Gerald Fernandez ’25 graduated from Framingham State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, he didn’t have to worry about what came next. A full-time position as a financial analyst at headquarters in Seattle was already awaiting him.

The opportunity grew out of a summer internship with the global technology company after his junior year. Leading up to it, Fernandez spent months pursuing opportunities and preparing for interviews before learning about Amazon’s internship program. After researching the company and familiarizing himself with its leadership principles, he entered the interview process hopeful but realistic.

“I didn’t expect to get it,” he recalls. “The interview was actually a lot more comfortable for me because I had low expectations.”

His performance during the internship impressed Amazon’s leadership team enough that they extended a full-time offer before he returned to campus for his senior year. While many students would have immediately accepted, Fernandez wrestled with the decision. Taking the job meant leaving behind family, friends and his longtime girlfriend to move across the country.

He applied for positions closer to home but ultimately concluded that the opportunity was too significant to pass up.

“I told my girlfriend, and she was like, ‘I get it. I’m coming with you,’” Fernandez says. “We moved out here together.”

Today, Fernandez works as a financial analyst supporting Amazon’s complex global operations. His responsibilities include managing intercompany transactions, performing reconciliations and helping mitigate financial risk across the organization. Even with a coveted position at one of the world’s largest companies, he remains focused on continued professional growth and is currently pursuing his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential.

“Amazon doesn’t require a CPA, but I don’t want to be complacent or limit myself,” he says. “I want to be as adaptable as possible.”

Outside of work, Fernandez has embraced life in Seattle, taking advantage of the region’s outdoor recreational opportunities and exploring the Pacific Northwest with friends and colleagues. Looking back, he sees Framingham State as the foundation that helped launch his career and prepare him for success on a national stage.