Angela Montez is a Software Development Engineer I helping us drive customer engagement on Audible’s iOS app. Before joining us as a tech intern, she studied English literature, analyzing and interpreting complex texts, which helps her quickly and accurately understand code. Get to know more about why she chose to start her tech career at Audible and how her background contributes to her role in unexpected ways. 

What is it like at the hub you are aligned to?

I’m in our Los Angeles hub, which is in Culver City, but I spent a year at our Newark headquarters before relocating. Culver City is trendy and bustling, with many restaurants, shops and bakeries. Co-workers are always bringing in tasty pastries to share. The weather is bright and temperate; it’s lovely to grab lunch at the cafeteria and then sit outside and chat. 

What initially drew you to Audible as an intern and what has kept you growing your career here?

Before becoming a software engineer, I studied English literature and earned my master's in poetry and poetics, plus critical theory. Audible was a lifesaver during grad school. When you're dealing with multiple 300-page books, being able to listen while going about daily life is a game-changer. Working at Audible lets me stay connected to literature and culture while helping others discover their next great listen. 

What's the most valuable lesson from your internship that still impacts your work today?

One of the biggest takeaways was realizing how crucial it is to read code daily, not just write it – and honestly, quickly and accurately understanding code is a skill I'm still refining and will likely always be refining. You can always become a better, more thoughtful reader and, through reading, a more insightful thinker.

My background in English lit actually helped since I'm used to analyzing and interpreting complex texts — now it's codebases instead of literature. It's shown me that diverse backgrounds can bring unexpected strengths to engineering work.  

How has your role grown at Audible since you transitioned to a full-time employee?

First, I went from Android development as an intern to specializing in iOS, which taught me how different platforms approach the same problems. The scope of my work has also expanded dramatically: I'm tackling more complex features that span multiple areas of the app rather than working on smaller, contained projects. Lastly, I got my own intern this summer. Getting to mentor them was an amazing full-circle moment. I could pass down advice from my own mentors and share what I'd learned through my career journey. It really highlighted how much I've grown technically and professionally since those early days. 

Which People Principle do you feel most aligns with your career journey so far?

“Activate Caring,” definitely. Coming from an English lit background, I have a deep desire to understand the full spectrum of the human experience. I’ve carried that into everything from my first contributions to accessibility in the iOS app to mentoring my own intern. I take genuine care in both my technical work and daily interactions.

How has Audible supported your professional growth over the years?

The career support here has been phenomenal. My manager has been fantastic about giving me opportunities that stretch and develop my skills. My team has also created a safe environment for me to learn and receive help. They help me build better solutions without making me feel rushed to figure everything out. Beyond that, Audible itself offers tons of development trainings from technical to communication skills, plus a continuing education fund.  

Can you share a challenge you faced in your career at Audible and how you overcame it?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been navigating Audible's extensive iOS codebase, as someone who's both early-career and coming from a non-technical background. When you're looking at a system with so many interconnected files and years of history, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start or how your changes might impact other areas. I've leaned into having a learner's mindset — despite my anxiety, I reach out for help when I need it and actively seek out resources that will help me succeed. 

What advice would you give to current or prospective interns to get the most out of their experience?

Honestly, just have fun with the whole experience! Interning is such a unique space where you get to meet new people and dive into new challenges: new programming languages, new codebases, new processes. So it’s a great opportunity to learn and connect (not just perform). Moreover, Newark has this really vibrant history and community — plus, it’s only a twenty minute train ride to New York City.

What are you currently listening to?

I listen to a lot of titles on leadership and communication. Right now, I’m working my way through the Harvard Business Review series on emotional intelligence. I'm always trying to get better at leadership and communication because I love people and want to understand and connect with them in the best ways possible.