Follow the complete 18-month transformation from ML Engineer to Research Engineer at Mistral AI, with all the strategic decisions, tactical moves, and pivotal moments along the way
Click on filter buttons to highlight different phases of the journey
Started with a career discussion with my manager. When it became clear there were no growth opportunities, I began defining what I wanted in my next role.
Invested heavily in building core CS fundamentals and ML knowledge. This was the foundation that everything else would build upon.
Sent my first application after months of preparation. Made it through 6 rounds but ultimately didn't get the offer. This was a devastating but valuable learning experience.
Realized I needed to go all-in on the job search. Resigned from my position to focus completely on skill development and applications. This was a scary but necessary decision.
Three months of dedicated learning at Recurse Center. Learned Rust, contributed to major open source projects, and wrote a research paper. This period created the foundation for my eventual success.
Returned home and focused entirely on applications. Had 60 touchpoints with 40 companies, leading to multiple offers and ultimately landing the dream role at Mistral.
Received verbal offer from Mistral in mid-August and signed in early September. The 18-month journey concluded with a research engineer role at a billion-dollar AI lab.
The most important insights gained through this transformative experience
Focusing on consistent, high-quality process rather than obsessing over specific results led to better outcomes and reduced anxiety.
The 3-month intensive at Recurse Center was scary but created the foundation for everything that followed. Sometimes you need to take calculated risks.
Informational interviews and genuine relationship building provided insights and opportunities that applications alone never could.
The first application process that ended in rejection was devastating but provided invaluable insights about gaps in my preparation.
Combining Rust development, open source contributions, and research experience created a unique profile that stood out from other candidates.
Consistent, focused effort over 18 months eventually led to success, even when individual attempts didn't work out as planned.
Get the complete playbook with all the strategies, templates, and techniques used in this journey