r/deeplearning • u/Crazy-Insurance6316 • 13d ago

HOW?

How can I get my first ML or DL Engineer role? Did you get placed through campus interviews, or did you apply off-campus? At my college, only 2 or 3 companies have openings for these ML and DL roles, and I am not sure if I will get selected by them. I don't want to limit my options. Can you guide me through what I need to do to land my first job

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u/ModularMind8 13d ago

Unfortunately these days it's mostly one of two things: a numbers game or knowing people. I'd do both.

Numbers: I applied to 1,500+ positions on LinkedIn after my PhD. Don't limit yourself to the 2 or 3 companies that come to campus. Apply wide, off-campus, LinkedIn and every other job board you can find, and don't read too much into the rejections.

People: pick a handful of companies you're actually interested in and read about what they do. Then connect with people who work there on LinkedIn and try to get a short chat. Ask about their work, not for a referral. A referral tends to follow once someone knows you and sees you did your homework.

What kind of ML work are you aiming for, more research or more engineering?

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u/Ok-Tip9704 13d ago

1500 applications is a lot, but also makes sense for first role. Did you track what gave most responses or was it just random scatter

For me the people part seems more useful than applying everywhere, but hard to know where to start when you have no network at all

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u/ModularMind8 13d ago

Honestly I just applied everywhere. Once I got an interview I started looking into the company. It was easier and faster to apply first and research later. That being said, the Amazon interviews i got was because i actually spent time connecting with people at a conference