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I don't exactly have a specific job title in mind. If I could get to a point where I could help solve problems in AI R&D, then that's what I would probably do.

I don't exactly have a specific job title in mind. If I could get to a point where I could help solve problems in AI R&D, then that's what I would probably do. I mentioned that my philosophy undergrad focused on ethics and logic. If I could find a way to work on building systems that have ethics as a primary concern (ethical algorithms, ethical artificial intelligence, etc) then I would like that. I have really enjoyed my self-study in machine learning, and for a while I thought for sure that's the path I would take. Right now I am not as sure. I just don't have a good sense of what I should do to keep going down this route if that's what I want to do, other than trying to get into a data-sciecne-type degree program perhaps. I have no issue with starting in a junior position. I don't care about the money or the power or the prestige specifically -- I just want to do something interesting and fulfilling. I have already had the chance to make lots of money in my life, and I just don't care that much, so junior (engineer/data scientist/etc) is fine. Also, it's easy not to care about money so much when your partner earns so much; I realize that I am in a fairly privileged place of not having to worry about money right now, but that's just where the universe has put me for now. Otherwise, I am really into Linux and FOSS stuff. I don't know if I would like kernel dev or embedded software as a career, but that's a possibility.

laurentl 8y ago
Thanks for clarifying. Given the interests you cite (e.g. AI R&D), a specialized degree might be necessary to break into the field - I don’t really see a clear path from “starting a new career in IT” to “working on advanced topics” that doesn’t include a degree or a few years of work and regular promotions/job changes. Re junior positions, they’re often not the most interesting jobs, unless you have a specific interest in learning the ropes (or you love fixing bugs and handling JIRA tickets ;) - hence my remark. A final thought: if working remotely is on the table, i.e. if you’re not explicitely looking for a local job and the accompanying social interactions, maybe you can look at working remotely for a US company. Hit the latest “who’s hiring” post, look at remote job postings that sound interesting, and contact the recruiter to see if your profile could interest them and if not what you would need (degree, portfolio, previous experience) before applying again.

laurentl 8y ago

Thanks for clarifying. Given the interests you cite (e.g. AI R&D), a specialized degree might be necessary to break into the field - I don’t really see a clear path from “starting a new career in IT” to “working on advanced topics” that doesn’t include a degree or a few years of work and regular promotions/job changes. Re junior positions, they’re often not the most interesting jobs, unless you have a specific interest in learning the ropes (or you love fixing bugs and handling JIRA tickets ;) - hence my remark. A final thought: if working remotely is on the table, i.e. if you’re not explicitely looking for a local job and the accompanying social interactions, maybe you can look at working remotely for a US company. Hit the latest “who’s hiring” post, look at remote job postings that sound interesting, and contact the recruiter to see if your profile could interest them and if not what you would need (degree, portfolio, previous experience) before applying again.