How to Get Your First Job in Data Science or AI in 2026
· 7 min read
I get a lot of LinkedIn messages from people trying to break into data and AI. I try to respond to all of them. At the peak, I had 2-3 people I was actively mentoring with bi-weekly check-ins. Over the years, I've watched dozens of people go through this process. Some land roles in a month or two, others struggle for much longer.
More than half stop responding after I give advice. It could be my advice comes across as harsh. Rather than commiserating about external factors, I try to focus on what's controllable. Here's what I've learned from watching this play out.
