The hardest task for a senior engineer is to learn a new area where they will need to become a beginner again. But at some point, this is the only way to grow, and doing it successfully unlocks unique impact. Especially true for great engineers switching into machine learning.

May 30, 2022 · 4:14 PM UTC

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Replying to @gdb
This happens to every senior in every field
Replying to @gdb
Although I am very young and not a senior engineer, I love doing this. Learning new areas of engineering fills me with wonder. Talking to people who knows different areas of engineering better than me and willing to teach me is awesome feeling.
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Replying to @gdb
This happened to me in 1986. I was an integrated circuit product engineer and we needed a statistical way to get test guardbands. My career then shifted from EE to applied statistics and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.
Replying to @gdb
So true. That's the stage I am at. (though I am not a senior nor a great engineer). What's the best way to succeed here.
Replying to @gdb
This is where your adaptability and ability to relate things would be a great advantage!
Replying to @gdb
I wonder if this differs cross-culturally, based on whether schools foreground fixed-mindset or growth-mindset-style instruction? I've read that a significant predictor of success on STEM is whether you see your skills as innate/fixed or not. Teach 'beginner's mind' to kids?
Replying to @gdb
It’s also the hardest because it’s hard to be given an opportunity to do that, like “oh since we’re looking for a senior ML engineer, we’re going to require 10 years of ML experience”
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Replying to @gdb
Couldn't agree more. Also true for founders. If you aren't feeling incompetent at what you do on a daily basis, you are not challenging yourself enough
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Replying to @gdb
Is there a faster way to learn the domain knowledge? Does closely working with experts help? What can you do in cases where you don’t have access to experts in the new field?
Replying to @gdb
one more thing to clear the head for senior engineers who are on fence thinking switch to ML !!!
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