What do i need to get a computer engineer job?

I'd like to join a computer vision start-up that leverages machine learning techniques. What should I do to be the most eligible "Software Engineer - Machine Learning" for such a start-up?

• Some background: ------------------------------ Master's degree in CS from a top university in the US. Although my coursework was not focused on ML or CV. I have been a computer architect for the design of parallel processors for over three years. Worked on two generations of successful (high revenue generating) architecture designs, and feel like I have learned enough & that it is time to taken on a new challenge. Online courses completed: ---------------------------------------- Machine Learning Design & analysis of algorithms Discrete Optimization Statistics In addition to coding up the home-works for the above classes, I realize that I need to have an independent project. So I've started working on a vision related project from a competition on kaggle. What else should I learn, do, code to get hired into a relatively new field with no work-experience? My experience is mainly with C++ & high performance computing. All the keywords in a ML job position (like Pig, Hadoop, Mahout etc.) intimidate me. I have some confidence issues that make it difficult for me to face interviews. Although I'm working towards improving that*, I'd like to know what other things I could do, to be the best possible candidate for "Software Engineer - Machine Learning" positions.   *reading the book Lean-In really has opened my eyes to my subconscious self-stunting actions as a woman engineer. I'm now actively trying to change them. Posting this question after a lot of contemplation. Was slashed for a similar question on reddit a few years ago, but I have noticed that quora is a much friendlier place :)

• Answer:

  I have successfully changed technical fields a couple of times. My background is slightly different than yours, but you seem to have the technical abilities to make the switch you want. I think you're doing all the right things and need to just follow through a little bit. Finish your solution to the Kaggle problem, even if it doesn't rank well, just to be able to show (others and yourself!) that you've done it. If the terms in ML postings intimidate you, definitely take the time to learn about them. You don't have to be an expert but you need to know enough to be confident in the idea that you could become an expert, if necessary. I think the main thing about startups is that you need to show that you have can help them in the ways they need, both in the short term and as the company builds or changes direction. So the ability to take initiative and learn what you need to as you go can be great assets. Try to find a startup where you can both do ML and leverage the experience you already have. There are computer vision companies that do hardware but it sounds like you want to switch to software and algorithms. Perhaps do a small vision project where you implement your own parallelized version of some ML algorithm. Your parallel processor design experience should give you a leg up on doing that in an efficient way. Most ML people won't have your depth in this area so you can use it to your advantage. Finally, it would be helpful to talk to people who are already doing the type of job you want. The best approach is to focus on discussing technical problems that those people are interested in, rather than just directly looking for job possibilities. There should be opportunities to do this online so they don't even have to know you're female ! (I have, at times, gone on boards with a male pseudonym and it is surprisingly pleasant to be free of the psychological baggage that automatically goes along with being a female in a male-dominated field.) And if the interviews don't go well, why not consider starting your own company? It sounds like you might be a bit inhibited in terms of selling yourself, so it would probably be best if you can partner with someone who has great marketing abilities, not necessarily another technical person. If you have a degree from a "top university" you should be able to make connections for getting funding, if you come up with a good idea for your own venture. Perhaps other people on Quora can help you with how to go about that. Best of Luck!