Hey everyone,
I'm currently a baker running my own business, but unfortunately, I've developed severe eczema that makes it really hard to keep doing this—working with flour and dough is just painful at this point. So, I'm looking to make a career change into AI engineering because I'm excited about building **AI agents** that can help companies automate workflows and scale more effectively.
I've found a roadmap that guides what I should learn, starting with:
* Python (focusing on data structures, APIs, and JSON)
* Prompt engineering and OpenAI API
* Hugging Face
* LangChain and moving into AI agents and related technologies.
Before I get started, I'd love to hear from people actually working in this field. I have a few questions:
1. Is this learning path practical for someone with no technical background?
2. Should I learn Python on my own with free resources, or do I need a structured course from places like Google Cloud or DataCamp?
3. If I dedicate about 15-20 hours a week, how long do you think it would take to switch careers?
I really want to ensure I'm taking the right steps so I don't end up wasting time.
Thanks for any advice, warnings, or encouragement you can provide!
3 Answers
It’s definitely doable, but I’d recommend getting a degree if you can. The job market is competitive, and many positions look for some formal education these days. Plus, beyond just making AI agents, you'll likely need deeper skills to succeed.
Absolutely start with Python! I transitioned to programming from a different field as well. Knowing Python is essential, especially for prompt engineering. You can use free resources, but don't skip learning best practices in coding. It's really important to understand how things work underneath the hood! Spend some time on practical projects too—it's the best way to learn.
Also, you'll need to grasp SQL; it's super helpful for managing databases used in AI projects.
The reality is, landing an entry-level job could be challenging with no formal experience. But given your background in running a business, maybe consider creating AI solutions for small companies, leveraging your understanding of that market. This way, you can utilize both your baking and entrepreneurial experience while you learn AI.
That’s a good point! I hadn’t thought about using my baking business experience to pivot into AI solutions for others. It might be a smart way to ease into it.