"I asked people with aspirational jobs their formulas for success - including how tech workers in various stages of their careers landed cutting-edge AI jobs. These conversations covered a variety of topics, from whether you need a Ph.D. to break into the field to how to earn big as an AI contractor. But one remarkably simple piece of advice kept coming up: gain real-world experience with AI technology to help get your foot in the door."
"They didn't view AI as something that can be mastered from a textbook or in a lecture hall. Instead, play around with AI, like an infant tinkering with a new toy, or "get your hands dirty," to borrow a phrase from a couple of the techies I interviewed. But what does that look like in practice? Here's how they applied this principle in their own careers."
Four tech workers described how they broke into AI and emphasized gaining practical, hands-on experience. They reported that experimenting with AI tools and building projects mattered more than classroom learning or solitary reading. Conversations covered whether advanced degrees are required and how contractors can earn significant income. The recurring counsel was to tinker with models, deploy small projects, and accumulate real-world artifacts that demonstrate skill. Treating learning like active practice — testing, iterating, and troubleshooting systems — helped candidates signal competence and secure roles in AI-focused teams and contracting opportunities.
Read at Business Insider
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