Leland+ for Break Into AI Careers
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October Series Session 7: Negotiating Confidently
This session teaches you to treat salary negotiation as a normal business conversation about your value.
Introduction to Roles in AI — How It Differs from Traditional Tech
This reading introduces you to key roles like research engineer, forward deployed engineers, and different GTM jobs at AI companies. It includes an assignment designed to teach you how to better understand these roles.
Walk through to Roles in AI — How It Differs from Traditional Tech
This guided session introduces you to key roles like research engineer, forward deployed engineers, and different GTM jobs at AI companies and how to think about them.
Inside the Forward-Deployed Engineer Role
Interactive session dissecting the FDE role with real-world examples, skill mapping, and discussion on how FDEs accelerate AI adoption in enterprise environments.
Introduction to the AI Company Landscape & Assignment
This will introduce the AI jobs landscape and also share reading to help you dive deeper to understand the entire AI market. There is an assignment to research three companies of interest to better understand what companies in this space do.
Forward-Deployed Engineers & AI Services-Led Growth
Explores the FDE role in detail: client-facing integration, technical implementation, rapid prototyping, and serving as a bridge between engineering and GTM, supported by insights from a16z and industry examples. Assignment encourages role research and personal reflection.
Which AI job is the right fit for me personally?
A guided walkthrough discussing how to view different jobs like research engineer, forward deployed engineers, and different GTM roles and which one might be a fit for you based on your skillset and experience.
Which AI job is the right fit for me?
Reading to understand roles and impact on things like work-life balance, focus time vs. meetings, and more. Includes a research assignment and table laying out different aspects of each job.
Walk through of AI Company Landscape with Live Examples
In this live guided walkthrough, we'll walk through Bessemer's AI market map to understand the entire landscape of how these AI companies operate together, and talk about different considerations in taking jobs in different parts of the AI stack.
Mastering AI Networking & Referrals
Guide to building meaningful relationships in the AI ecosystem, overcoming hiring noise, and securing referrals through thoughtful engagement and value-add interactions.
Building Your AI Portfolio & Outside-In Projects
Detailed strategies for engineers, designers, marketers, and data scientists to craft projects showing value aligned with target companies. Includes best practices for packaging and sharing work and an action-oriented assignment.
How to Land a Job as an AI Product Manager
AI product management is one of the most exciting and fast-evolving roles in tech—but it can also be one of the hardest to break into. In this panel, Jeff N. (Principal PM @ Amazon), Nina O. (Former Lead PM @ Google), and Sonya K. (Former PM @ Microsoft) will share what it takes to land a PM role in the age of artificial intelligence, from building technical fluency to showcasing strategic thinking and cross-functional leadership. You’ll learn how top candidates position themselves for success, what hiring managers at companies like Meta, Google, and OpenAI are looking for, and how to stand out even without a traditional AI or engineering background. Whether you’re an aspiring PM or looking to transition into AI-focused products, this session will give you actionable insights and a clear roadmap to your next big opportunity.
AI Week Kickoff: AI’s Impact on Jobs, Business, and Daily Life
Join us as we kick off AI Week with an incredible panel exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping the ways we live and work. This session, AI’s Impact on Jobs, Business, and Daily Life, brings together leading voices at the intersection of technology, work, and innovation — Andrew Q. (former Head of AI at Spotify, early OpenAI Engineer), Andrew S. (Editor at Large for Jobs & Career Development at LinkedIn News, Host of the Get Hired podcast), and Solomon C. (AI and Automation Expert). Together, they’ll unpack how AI is transforming industries, redefining roles, and creating new opportunities for both individuals and organizations. The kickoff is just the start. Throughout AI Week (Nov 10–13), we’ll dive deeper into the most important ways AI is shaping our world — from practical sessions on AI upskilling and using AI to grow your business, to insights on building a career in the age of AI. Whether you’re a professional, student, or business owner, you’ll leave equipped with the tools, strategies, and inspiration to thrive in the AI era.
Finally Use AI for Something Useful: Build AI Literacy That Moves Your Career Forward
AI is everywhere—but understanding how to use it effectively for your career can feel overwhelming. In this session, AI expert Matthew W. (Stanford, Meta) will guide you through practical ways to build AI literacy and leverage AI tools to enhance your work, decision-making, and professional growth. You’ll learn how to identify meaningful applications of AI in your role, avoid common pitfalls, and use AI strategically to save time, boost productivity, and strengthen your skillset. By the end, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to move your career forward with confidence in an AI-driven world.
