I'm excited to be starting my new role as an L5 Solutions Architect with the ISV team at AWS, and I'm looking for some advice on how to make the most of my 3-month onboarding period. I would love to know what the first 3-6 months typically look like, what others wished they had focused on (or avoided), what distinguishes a strong SA from those who may struggle, common pitfalls for new SAs, and what good performance looks like during the initial phase. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
One of the biggest mistakes new SAs make is rushing through the embark plan just to start working with customers. Even if there's pressure from your team, it's crucial to protect your onboarding time—it's irreplaceable! Remember, you were hired for a reason, so believe in yourself! Take the time to understand how to collaborate with different account managers; they will be key allies for you.
Don’t overlook the sales aspect—it's a big part of the job. Once you settle in, you'll be expected to effectively promote AWS. Hahaha!

I get that, but I'm a bit worried about moving the SA team under sales. It could create issues for customers in the long run.