Partnered with Rowan, Amazon is helping employees earn credits, even graduate debt free

An expanding program between Rowan University and Amazon is helping students fund their education and, in some cases, graduate debt free.

Operating through a partnership via Rowan Online, the University’s web portal, the Amazon Career Choice program supports eligible operations and fulfillment employees with pre-paid tuition and reimbursement for books and fees.

"Through programs like Amazon Career Choice, we're helping deliver education where it’s needed,” said David Coyner, Rowan vice president for Academic Innovation & Online Partnerships.

Florinda Friend, who graduates in May with a degree in Applied Professional Communication, is a five-year Amazon employee who began taking courses through Career Choice in 2022.

Friend took many of her classes through Rowan’s 3+1 program at Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC). The program enables students to take most undergraduate courses in some majors at partnered community colleges to improve access to a four-year degree and save money.

“Through 3+1, I saved a lot,” Friend said. “Now, with help from Career Choice, I won’t have any college debt.”

Like Friend, business administration major Iyanna Marie Harlan works out of Amazon’s Burlington fulfillment center and will also graduate in May with no college debt, also in part because of the Career Choice program.

An Amazon employee since 2022, Harlan said in addition to financial support to complete her degree, she is developing critical business skills through Amazon’s corporate training.

“As an employee, you have opportunities to float to different departments to try different things,” Harlan said. “I’ve been trained in problem solving and hazmat as well as fulfillment.”

Also enrolled in the 3+1 program at RCBC, Harlan is completing her degree through Rowan Online while working full time.

As to the rigor of her online coursework, Harlan said it can be challenging.

“That’s to be expected,” she said. “For me, it’s about balancing your work life, your personal life and your school life.”