Ready Set Do

In this episode I talk with Hrohaan Malhotra, a Data Scientist at Wells Fargo who actually landed his role through a career fair. If that sounds lucky, it isn’t. Hrohaan rewired the usual career-fair playbook: he didn’t show up to collect business cards — he showed up to build one great, memorable interaction. That single idea changed everything.

Here’s the distilled playbook we unpacked — practical, no-fluff, and proven.

Start with a 30–60 second elevator pitch that does one job: communicate your unique value. Treat the pitch like a headline for your future self — name, current focus, one concrete win, and the role you want. Practice it until it sounds like a normal sentence, not a scripted announcement. Career centers and recruiters recommend short, targeted pitches that tie your skills to employer needs. Center for Career Development

Research before you show up. Don’t wander booth-to-booth. Make a short list of companies you actually want to talk to, learn one recent thing about each, and tailor your opening line. Recruiters notice curiosity that’s informed, not generic. Harvard career services calls this deliberate preparation a game-changer. careerservices.fas.harvard.edu

When a recruiter seems uninterested, don’t freeze or plead. Use the signal. If they’re distracted, ask one smart, specific question about their team’s current priorities or a recent announcement — that tiny pivot can flip boredom into engagement. And if it doesn’t, move on quickly and follow up later by email with a short note and a one-line reminder of what you discussed — timely follow-up often outperforms a long on-floor conversation. Remote-First Coaching+1

Charisma matters — but not in the fake, theatrical sense. Warmth, confidence, and curiosity make you memorable. Show energy, listen actively, and mirror small signals (eye contact, brief smiles). Research shows charisma helps form quick rapport and increases the chance a recruiter keeps your name after the fair. PMC

If you’re an international student: be prepared and transparent about your visa status. Employers legally evaluate work authorization, so learn your options, bring clear answers, and use campus career services to surface employers who sponsor. NACE and university career centers offer practical guidance so you’re not blindsiding recruiters or yourself. Default+1

Finally — the tactic Hrohaan swears by: convert means creating one memorable reason for the recruiter to follow up. It could be a specific project you’d add value to, a concise idea to improve a product, or a thoughtful question that only someone with your background would ask. Leave them with one clear next step: a time to talk again, a referral name, or a direct ask to apply to a particular opening. Small clarity, big results.

If you want the full conversation (real examples, exact phrases Hrohaan used, and the “rizz” moment that seals the deal), tune in to the episode. You’ll walk away with concrete lines to practice, and a mindset that treats career fairs like conversion labs — one focused, prepared interaction at a time.

Listen, try one tactic at your next fair, and tell me how it goes. Full episode and links at readysetdopodcast.com.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro + Background
(01:55) How Hrohaan Got his Job at a Career Fair
(04:31) Crafting the Perfect Elevator Pitch
(07:19) How To CONVERT At A Career Fair
(11:05) When Recruiters Aren't Interested in Talking To You
(16:25) Rizz Will Get You Very Far
(20:56) Re-defining Success Criteria for Career Fairs
(26:13) Navigating Conversations and Selling Yourself
(29:05) Advice for Intl Students

Moving abroad for studies often gets reduced to a checklist: applications, visas, internships, and landing that first good job. In this episode of Ready Set Do I sit down with Bhushan Chougule, a graduate student at Purdue University studying Engineering Management, to talk about what most study-abroad advice misses — the small, human things that actually make your time overseas feel like living instead of surviving.

We start with the practical moves: how to move to a new city for an internship or job without burning cash, how to scout housing that balances convenience and safety, and simple rent-optimization tactics that make a real difference to your monthly budget. Bhushan and I dig into cost-of-living trade-offs and everyday money hacks — from grocery strategies to budgeting apps — that compound into meaningful savings over a semester. We also cover safety in a non-alarmist way: neighborhood research, campus resources, transit awareness, and routines that keep you secure while giving you freedom.

Beyond logistics, the episode is about people. We talk about building social connections from scratch — how to find activities, meet people beyond class groups, and make genuine friendships that last. Bhushan shares candid stories about embracing solo dining, showing up to events alone, and how those small, awkward choices open doors to a city’s social life. We dig into the importance of intent when socializing: being curious, generous, and consistent beats clever networking hacks every time.

Work culture differences come up honestly — the practical expectations around punctuality, initiative, and feedback that often separate success in India from success in the US. Bhushan’s perspective as a Purdue student makes these contrasts real and actionable: how to adapt quickly without losing your identity, how to ask the right questions at work, and how to translate academic experience into career currency.

Dating, relationships, and boundaries are part of the conversation too. We talk consent culture, online dating norms, and how to balance romance with personal growth while you’re focused on studies. Mental health and homesickness are treated with empathy; we discuss campus counseling, peer groups, and tiny habits that rebuild routine and resilience when home feels far away.

Quick housing tips: find reliable roommates, when to sublet, landlord questions that matter, and why transit proximity saves money. Bhushan points to campus boards, local groups, and budgeting apps. We cover part-time work and mental health resources.

If you’re moving abroad, this episode gives practical moves you can use. Visit readysetdopodcast.com

All links and resources are on readysetdopodcast.com — tune in, share with a friend who’s planning a move, and try one small habit from the episode this week. Small decisions — the routes you take, the people you show up for, the questions you ask — shape the quality of your time abroad far more than any single internship or paycheck.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Background
02:07 Navigating the International Student Experience
05:08 Housing Strategies for International Students
08:09 Rent Optimization and Cost of Living
11:19 Safety Considerations in New Environments
14:04 Building Social Connections in a New City
17:12 Work Culture Differences India vs US
26:12 Building Connections in a New City
29:43 Finding Activities to Meet People
31:48 The Importance of Intent in Socializing
33:55 Embracing Solo Dining Experiences
38:15 Navigating Dating and Relationships
41:53 The Value of Diverse Connections
47:35 Genuine Conversations and Building Friendships

If you want a ruthless, recruiter-grade breakdown of how to actually get hired in 2025, press play. This episode features Shreya Mehta — professional growth coach and former recruiter at Microsoft, Amazon, and TikTok — and she does something rare: she publicly evaluates (nay, lovingly roasts) my podcast producer Deep’s LinkedIn profile and uses that teardown to teach every listener the exact moves that win interviews and offers.

Why this episode matters
Most job-search advice is vague. Shreya gives tactical, field-tested playbooks recruiters use to judge candidates in sixty seconds. From application strategy to interview answers, from ATS hacks to sponsorship questions — this is the kind of inside view you won’t find in generic career blogs. If you’re job hunting, switching industries, or nervous about sponsorship, these are the specific changes that move your profile from “meh” to “hireable.”

What you’ll get (real, usable takeaways)
• A recruiter’s POV on LinkedIn: what to keep, what to delete, and how to build a headline and about section that actually convert views into messages.
• Resume tailoring that passes ATS and wins human readers: format rules, keyword placement, and what recruiters actually scan for.
• Networking that works: scripts for outreach, timing, and how to turn a cold message into a coffee chat.
• Application strategy: how to pick roles to apply to, when to use referrals, and when “easy apply” is sabotaging you.
• Sponsorship advice: how to answer “Do you require sponsorship?” without tanking your chances.
• Interview prep: high-impact answers, de-risking techniques, and the tiny habits that remove interview anxiety.
• Live diagnosis: Deep’s profile teardown — watch us fix errors in real time and model the changes for your own profile.

Who this episode is for
Early-career professionals, mid-career pivoters, international applicants who need sponsorship, and anyone who’s tired of ghosting and wants predictable results. If you’re applying for roles at FAANG, startups, or corporate teams, these frameworks scale.

How to use this episode
Listen with your LinkedIn and resume open. Pause after each section and implement one change immediately. Pick one outreach script and send three messages today. Run a two-week experiment: apply to five roles using these techniques and track responses.

Quick promise
Do this work, and you’ll see a measurable difference in recruiter replies, interview invites, and the quality of interviews you get. The job market is unforgiving — but predictable. This episode hands you the predictability.

If this helped, subscribe to Ready Set Do, leave a rating, and tell me which profile you want us to roast next. Ship the micro-changes. Get the offer. Then DM me — I want to hear your wins.

00:00 — Intro + Background
01:45 — Avoid these Pitfalls that most job-seekers make
04:55 — NON-generic advice for struggling job-seekers
08:23 — Effective Networking Strategies
11:01 — Understanding Recruiter Dynamics
14:25 — Building a Strong LinkedIn Profile
16:43 — Live LinkedIn Profile Review
21:51 — How to write a good about me
26:36 — The Importance of Portfolios and Featured Sections
29:38 — Maximizing LinkedIn Skills and Experience Sections
33:19 — The Role of Education in Job Applications
37:11 — Understanding the Recruitment Process and ATS
41:23 — Stop making these resume mistakes!!
43:15 — Does easy apply work?
44:37 — Navigating Sponsorship Questions
48:15 — Preparing for Screening Calls
54:48 — The Role of Career Coaches in Job Search
58:30 — The Fulfillment of Mentorship

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"You need experience to get the job, but you need the job to get experience."

It is the classic Product Management "Death Loop." If you are a doctor, a teacher, a marketer, or a salesperson, you are constantly told that you don't have the "technical DNA" to be a Product Manager. You are told to go get an MBA, learn to code, or start at the bottom of a support desk.

But Jackie Henning didn't do any of that.

She made one of the most difficult career pivots imaginable: From the Medical Field to Product Management.

In this episode, we sit down with Jackie (currently a Product Manager at Cylinder) to decode exactly how she translated her clinical background into a high-growth tech career. This isn't theoretical advice from a Silicon Valley veteran who has been in tech for 20 years. This is a tactical playbook from someone who just did it—and remembers exactly how hard it was to get that first "Yes."

If you are trying to break into HealthTech, EdTech, or just "Tech" in general without a Computer Science degree, this conversation is your reality check. Jackie reveals why your "non-traditional" background is actually your biggest competitive advantage—if you know how to frame it correctly.

The "Medicine to Tech" Translation LayerMost career switchers fail because they try to hide their past. Jackie explains why you need to do the opposite. We discuss how "Patient Empathy" translates to "User Research," and how "Clinical Triaging" is actually just "Feature Prioritization" in disguise. You will learn how to rewrite your resume so that a Hiring Manager sees a "Product Thinker," not just a "Former Doctor/Nurse."

The "Threshold Concept"One of the biggest mental blocks for pivoters is the feeling of being an imposter. Jackie introduces the "Threshold Concept"—a mental model to help you identify when you have learned enough to take action, versus when you are just procrastinating with more tutorials. We discuss how to move from "learning about PM" to "doing PM work" before you even have the job title.

HealthTech vs. General PMNot all PM roles are created equal. If you are targeting regulated industries like Healthcare or Finance, the rules are different. Jackie breaks down the nuances of being a PM in HealthTech: the slower feedback loops, the massive importance of "Stakeholder Management" (dealing with doctors, regulators, and legal teams), and why "Move Fast and Break Things" is terrible advice when patient lives are at stake.

Micro-Experiments & The PortfolioHow do you prove you can do the job without a job? You run experiments. Jackie shares examples of "Micro-Projects" you can do in your current non-tech role to build a portfolio. Whether it’s optimizing a hospital workflow or improving a sales process, we show you how to document these wins to prove you have "Product Sense."

Connect with Jackie:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-henning/

About the Podcast:We explore the real stories behind high-agency individuals—from medical professionals to tech leaders—who are just a few steps ahead in the journey. We don't sell you "lottery ticket" success stories; we show you the practical first steps so you can find your own way forward.

#ProductManagement #JackieHenning #HealthTech #CareerPivot #NonTechToTech #MedicineToTech #Cylinder #ProductManager #ResumeTips #StakeholderManagement #CareerAdvice #HighAgency #WomenInProduct

Timestamps:

00:00 — Intro + Background

02:16 — Breaking into Product Management: Misconceptions and Realities
04:51 — Jackie’s Journey: From Medicine to Product Management
07:49 — The Evolution of Product Management: Learning by Doing
10:54 — Health Tech vs. General Product Management
13:51 — Navigating Stakeholder Relationships in Health Tech
16:43 — Advice for Aspiring Product Managers: The Threshold Concept

This episode is a goldmine for builders: my guest is VJ Swaminathan, a serial entrepreneur you probably already know from Pathfinders and Authentic Hustle. VJ does something rare on this show — he literally pops the hood on his AI recruiting product, Recruitt.ai, and walks us through the exact tool stack, architecture decisions, and development trade-offs that got him from idea to demo. If you’re building voice-powered AI, hiring tech, or just curious how modern recruitment tooling is assembled, this conversation will save you months of guesswork.

Why listen? Because VJ doesn’t do vague platitudes. He shows the demo, explains where voice helps (and where it doesn’t), and breaks down the metrics that matter when you’re trying to make hiring both faster and fairer. We get into practical topics like: how voice naturally fits into candidate screening, how analytics shape recruiter workflows, and which parts of the pipeline you should optimize first to move the needle without overengineering.

I love this episode because it’s both tactical and inspiring. VJ shares the actual stack — the APIs, model choices, orchestration patterns, and third-party tools — plus why he made those choices. He talks through latency, cost, and user experience trade-offs; how to instrument the system for recruiting analytics; and how to iterate on an MVP that actually gets adoption inside hiring teams. If you’ve ever wanted a blueprint for a voice-first product or wondered how to stitch together modern LLMs, speech-to-text, and recruitment systems, this is the blueprint.

Beyond tech, VJ’s energy is contagious. You’ll pick up mindset hacks for staying productive, approaches to rapid experimentation, and a founder’s lens on building for long-term product-market fit. We also talk about staying current in the fast-moving AI landscape — how to evaluate new model releases, when to swap providers, and how to protect your product from brittle dependencies.

Resources: if you want more of VJ’s thinking, I’ve been on his show — check my Pathfinders episode here: https://youtu.be/Lh2JnM9Xxt8?si=P9nNqeWnI34b6WeC — and show his podcasts some love.

Who this episode is for: founders building voice-enabled products, engineers exploring AI stacks, recruiting leaders curious about automation, and anyone who likes practical, no-fluff product conversations. Expect concrete takeaways you can apply the next day.

If you like deep-dive founder conversations, hit subscribe, leave a rating, and tell me what product you want us to break down next. Press play, take notes, and if you build something inspired by this episode, ping me — I want to see it.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Intro + Background
03:59 — Recruitt AI Demo and Its Applications
07:51 — AI in Recruitment: Efficiency and Analytics
14:17 — Building the AI System: Tools and Technologies
19:26 — Staying Updated in the Fast-Paced AI Landscape

Why Astrology is More Than Fortune-Telling — A Raw Conversation with Poonam Dutta

What happens when you put a professional astrologer and spiritual scientist in the hot seat and ask the hard questions? In this episode of the Ready Set Do Podcast I sit down with Poonam Dutta — an expert in the Vedas, Sanatan Dharma, and Vedic astrology — for a multi-faceted, super-raw conversation that cuts past clichés and goes straight to the reasoning behind belief.

We start by unpacking what it means to call astrology a “science.” Poonam walks us through the logic, observational roots, and traditions that, to her, make it a disciplined way of understanding human patterns. From there we move into birth charts — not as mystical black boxes, but as layered maps that point to strengths, blind spots, and life timing. If you’ve ever wondered whether your chart is destiny or data, this episode gives you practical thinking, not platitudes.

We don’t shy away from controversy. I pressed Poonam on common myths around Hinduism — including how the caste system originated and how historical practice diverged from spiritual intent. We contrast Eastern and Western approaches to astrology, showing how context, language, and culture shape interpretation. You’ll get thoughtful, no-spin answers about daily sun-sign horoscopes too — why they persist, what they can (and can’t) tell you, and how to read them with nuance rather than superstition.

This conversation also explores the cosmic connection in Vedic thought and whether Hinduism could exist without astrology — a question that surprised me with its depth and subtlety. Poonam’s perspective is at once scholarly and immediate: she blends scripture, lived practice, and a scientist’s insistence on clarity. My favorite moment? When she debunked the endless stream of daily predictions and explained the real value (and limits) of sun-sign forecasting. Don’t skip that one.

If you’re curious about Vedic astrology, spiritual frameworks, or want an honest, critical take on traditions everyone talks about but few explain well — this episode is for you. It’s part myth-busting, part primer, and wholly human.

Listen, reflect, and decide for yourself. Full episode and links at readysetdopodcast.com.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction + Background

02:25 What is a Spiritual Scientist?

04:07 Is Astrology Real?

09:32 The Role of Birth Charts in Determining Potential

11:32 Contrasting Eastern and Western Astrology

14:54 Daily Predictions: Truth or Myth?

18:15 Can Hinduism Exist Without Astrology?

21:12 The Cosmic Connection in Vedic Astrology

24:42 Understanding Sanatana Dharma

28:05 The Caste System and Its Misinterpretations

34:36 Astrology Predictions for 2025 and Shocking Anecdotes

38:39 How to Practice Sanatana Dharma

39:00 Outro + Conclusion

How do you break into one of the most competitive tech careers, navigate interviews at Amazon, and prepare for a future shaped by AI—all while still in school? This episode is packed with insights for aspiring Technical Program Managers (TPMs), international students, and anyone eyeing top-tier roles in tech.

We kick things off with the day-to-day life of a Technical Program Manager—what the role actually looks like beyond the buzzwords. From managing complex projects to aligning cross-functional teams, you’ll get a realistic picture of what makes TPMs so critical inside companies like Amazon.

The conversation then shifts to the skills that define TPM success: communication, stakeholder management, and the ability to turn ambiguity into structured execution. Meri emphasizes what students can start doing from their very first semester to build an edge, including the kinds of projects, internships, and habits that recruiters actually value.

We also talk strategy around academics—choosing electives, writing scholarship essays, and even knowing when it’s okay to drop a course—because success isn’t just about grinding; it’s about smart decision-making that sets you up long term.

The episode gets tactical with job hunting in 2025 and beyond. How do you stand out when applications are skyrocketing? We explore the nuances of shortlisting, what Amazon (and other FAANGs) really look for, and how unconventional paths—like starting as a Business Analyst—can still land you in TPM roles.

A highlight of the discussion is the Amazon loop interview process. We break down behavioral questions, the infamous Bar Raiser round, and practical hacks to stay calm under pressure. You’ll hear why rushing to answer is a mistake, how to pace yourself, and how to prepare stories that resonate with interviewers.

We then pivot to how AI is transforming technical roles. Far from replacing humans, AI is becoming a tool TPMs can leverage—whether it’s automating repetitive tasks or augmenting decision-making. Understanding this shift could be the single biggest differentiator for future TPMs.

Threaded throughout is a bigger theme: adaptability. From facing rejections to reframing career pivots, the episode shows how resilience and perspective can turn setbacks into stepping stones.

This episode is a must-listen for:

• Students aiming for Amazon, Microsoft, or other big tech TPM roles

• International students navigating scholarships, electives, and career prep abroad

• Early professionals curious about career pivots into program management

• Tech aspirants who want to understand how AI will reshape their roles

If you’ve ever wondered how to get from classroom to career, crack Amazon’s toughest interviews, or position yourself for long-term success as a Technical Program Manager, this conversation will give you clarity, confidence, and an actionable roadmap.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro + Background
02:11 A Day in the Life of a Technical Program Manager
05:44 Key Skills for Success in TPM Roles
09:06 Start doing this from the FIRST semester for TPM roles
11:10 How to write scholarship essay
12:14 Choosing the right electives
16:04 its okay to bail on electives
17:46 How to get shortlisted for jobs in 2025
23:28 Journey to Amazon: Business Analyst turned TPM?
27:36 Loop Interview Process + Hacks
29:05 How to Answer Behavioral Questions
30:55 The Loop Interview Experience
32:20 Navigating The Bar Raiser
37:12 How to Prepare for Loop Interviews
39:41 Do NOT rush to start answering
41:41 Rejected for Analyst, but offered TPM?
44:40 Leveraging AI in Tech Roles

What does it take to create the largest gathering ever for skilled Indian immigrants in the United States? In this episode, we sit down with the visionary behind the Open Atlas Summit 2025, a groundbreaking event designed to connect, empower, and celebrate the Indian professional diaspora in America.

We start with the origin story—how the idea for the Open Atlas Summit was born, and the gap it aims to fill in the immigrant professional community. From there, our guest walks us through the intricate planning and logistics required to make an event of this scale a reality. You’ll hear firsthand what it’s like to secure high-profile keynote speakers, the strategies behind attracting the right voices, and how to align them with the summit’s mission.

But this isn’t just about big names—it’s about audience engagement. We explore why crafting an interactive, participatory experience is critical for creating lasting impact, and how innovative programming is being woven into the summit to keep attendees involved from start to finish.

The conversation dives into one of the most ambitious parts of the summit: the job fair. We unpack the challenges of designing a job fair that truly serves skilled immigrants, including how to get employers on board, ensure meaningful connections, and navigate visa-related complexities.

Behind the scenes, there’s also a story of team building and volunteer coordination. Our guest shares how she’s assembling a network of passionate contributors—both on the ground and virtually—who believe in the mission and are willing to put in the hours to make it happen.

The summit’s marketing strategy gets a spotlight too, with a discussion on the role of influencers and content creators in amplifying the event’s reach. Learn how strategic partnerships with digital voices can translate into real-world turnout and engagement.

We also highlight the innovative features and experiences planned for attendees—elements designed to make this summit more than just a conference, but an unforgettable milestone in the community’s history. Think immersive networking opportunities, skill-building workshops, and cultural showcases that celebrate identity alongside professional growth.

Of course, none of this happens without financial backing. We dive into the sponsorship model, the realities of fundraising, and the balance between maintaining event integrity and satisfying sponsor expectations.

The conversation closes on a powerful note about community and shared experiences—why this summit is more than an event, but a platform to build connections that will last long after 2025. It’s about creating a space where skilled Indian immigrants can see themselves, their value, and their future reflected on a global stage.

This episode is perfect for:

• Skilled immigrants in the US looking for opportunities and community

• Event organizers curious about large-scale conference planning

• Employers seeking to connect with top Indian talent in America

• Anyone interested in the intersection of culture, career, and community building

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Background
02:07 The Genesis of Open Atlas Summit 2025
04:48 Planning and Logistics of the Event
07:51 Securing Keynote Speakers
10:40 The Importance of Audience Engagement
13:38 Navigating the Job Fair Challenge
16:34 Building a Supportive Team
22:26 Event Planning and Volunteer Coordination
24:16 The Role of Influencers and Creators
26:10 Innovative Conference Features and Experiences
30:11 Financial Insights and Sponsorships
34:01 The Value of Community and Shared Experiences

Ask ChatGPT

Agentic AI isn’t just hype—it’s the future of how intelligent systems will work. In this episode, we dive deep with Meri, an engineer and educator at the forefront of this next-gen paradigm. If you’ve ever wondered how to actually build agentic AI applications—beyond the flashy demos—this is your starting point.

Join Meri's Agentic AI workshop: https://maven.com/agent-lab/agent-engineering-bootcamp?promoCode=EARLY30

Meri kicks off with a refreshing and opinionated take on the current state of AI development. From the over-polished social media demos to the often-misunderstood definition of "agentic," she lays down the truth with clarity and conviction. This episode cuts through the noise, grounding the concept of agentic systems in the real-world practice of software engineering, automation, and modular design.

We explore how to get started with agentic AI even if you're not at a top-tier research lab. What tools are accessible? What architecture patterns actually scale? And how do you structure projects that simulate autonomy without falling into the trap of overengineering? Meri breaks it all down, with an emphasis on practical projects that help you learn by doing.

Whether you’re fresh out of a bootcamp or already working in data or ML, this conversation is a goldmine. We talk about success stories of those who transitioned from traditional software or data analytics into the AI field, and how agentic thinking reshaped their path. You'll also hear Meri’s honest take on AI coding assistants, how to use them effectively, and when not to.

We also go under the hood on how Meri’s cohort-based programs are structured—from time investment to project outcomes—and why graduates succeed when they focus on long-term thinking, not just flashy outputs. She shares hard truths about career development, the common mistakes people make when trying to break into AI, and what truly matters in your portfolio.

But this isn't just about starting. It’s about sustainability and adaptability. Meri openly talks about her lack of interest in GenAI fads, and instead champions a deeper vision—where multi-modal AI combined with agentic principles unlocks entirely new levels of autonomy, creativity, and problem-solving.

The episode wraps with sharp insights into the importance of adaptability in AI careers, especially in a rapidly changing ecosystem. Whether you're chasing your first AI project or planning to build tools that simulate human agency, this conversation gives you frameworks, mindset shifts, and technical direction to start strong—and keep evolving.

This episode is perfect for:

• Engineers and developers wanting to get into AI

• Bootcamp grads looking for practical project ideas

• Data professionals transitioning into intelligent automation

• Builders tired of GenAI fluff, and ready to create durable systems

• Anyone curious about agentic AI, multi-modal models, and real-world applications of intelligent agents

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro + Background

02:28 Meri's Hot Take on AI Development

04:27 Real-World AI Engineering vs. Social Media Demos

06:23 Understanding Agentic AI

09:09 Getting Started with Agentic AI Development

11:02 The Importance of Practical Projects

14:14 Break Into Data: Success Stories and Bootcamp Insights

17:08 The Role of AI Coding Assistants

19:26 Cohort Structure and Time Investment

21:41 Project Outcomes and Graduate Success

23:04 Common Pitfalls in Career Development

26:58 Meri does not care about GenAI

30:35 Multi-modal AI x Agentic AI = MAGIC

33:37 The Importance of Adaptability in AI Careers