Big-hearted animal lover Skye Bennett swapped life in a veterinary clinic for a career in robotics at Amazon Australia, and admits even she’s surprised at just how much she enjoying her new role as an Amnesty Responder.
She even jokes that she now prefers the robotics to animals – because they don’t bite!
“I really, really enjoy my job. It’s amazing. It’s something unique because robotics isn’t a big thing in Australia. I was actually a bit sceptical at first and thought ‘I’m not sure I’m going to like this’. But I really love it”, Skye says.
And she still gets plenty of time for a daily dose of animal love from the four dogs she shares with her mum, Rose at their home in nearby Penrith, including a three-year-old Fox Terrier cross Jack Russell called Banjo, a 10-year-old Chihuahua cross Fox Terrier called Pixie and a disabled 10-year-old Pomeranian called Willow, who gets around in a wheelchair.
But her favourite is sweet nine-year-old Pomeranian cross Dachshund called Lulu.
“I used to work at a veterinary clinic and I fell in love with Lulu when she came in because she’s so very special and had to take her home,” explains the former veterinary nurse who also collects rare dinosaur fossils.
Skye happily admits her new robotic workmates are far easier to wrangle than her four-legged friends. As an Amnesty Responder, Skye has been trained to be the first point of call when there’s an issue with the robotics, scanner or the 14km of conveyor – before it’s escalated to an engineer.
With the training she received on site, she is able to help fix the robotics, whether they need a reboot or an object removed from their pathway. She says to the uninitiated the robotics may look a bit like a “Roomba" vacuum cleaner!
“Getting to work with the robotics is something completely different and something I would never have done if it wasn’t for Amazon. I’m not very technological and I was scared at first … but if I can do it, anyone can do it”, she says.
Skye says despite her initial concerns, she loves working with technology, and working with such an incredible team of people at Amazon’s Robotics Fulfilment Centre in Kemps Creek.
Skye completed an intensive four-day training program and an additional four day period shadowing another Amnesty Responder, provided the skills and knowledge she needed to master the Amnesty Responder role.
“I wake up every morning and look forward to going to work. It’s such a supportive and enjoyable environment to work in. I’m hoping this will be my last job – I want to stay there forever”.
What’s the most rewarding thing about your job?
“Just being able to be a part of this amazing industry. I never thought I’d be working for Amazon, and I definitely prefer working with robots to dogs and cats!”
If you had to describe your team at Amazon in one word what would it be?
“Amazing. We’re very close-knit. There are two AFMs to each floor and we help each other and work well together. It’s a very supportive work environment.”
Has anything surprised you about your role at Amazon?
“Definitely my ability to work with the robotics. I surprised myself!”
What’s been your favourite or most used Amazon purchase?
“I have bought a lot of pet toys and treats off Amazon, and I’ve bought some discounted plant grow lights for my indoor plants on Prime Day.”
