Listen here:
Akankshya Kar is a Senior Engineer in Motional, an Autonomous vehicle startup backed by Hyundai and Aptiv. She has been in the field of AI for 7 years and has built many 0-1 products. She is currently working in Machine learning using on-car sensors, primarily in Computer Vision. She is a Carnegie Mellon Robotics graduate who has worked for tech giants like Meta and Samsung. She has always been passionate about solving real world problems using AI. She has contributed to projects like the Photorealistic Virtual reality based face rendering in Meta Verse, Augmented Reality based indoor path navigation in Samsung, helping poor farmers in India using AI for their grain quality estimation in her own startup venture and now she spends her time enabling Robotaxis to see the beautiful world we live in.
Connect with Akankshya to learn more.
Listen to the Podcast Here, or Find it Wherever You Get Your Podcasts:
Here are Five Things We Cover:
- Master the Basics: Akankshya underlines the necessity to understand fundamental machine learning concepts, which are crucial for specialized work in fields like autonomous driving and computer vision.
- Standout Projects: Engaging in unique and impactful projects can differentiate your candidacy when applying for advanced degrees or tech positions.
- Research Impact: Embarking on research and publishing papers in notable conferences can bolster your profile for academic and research-centric roles.
- Networking: Building connections with academics and industry insiders can lead to collaborative opportunities and help navigate career paths in machine learning.
- Degree Decision: Akankshya advises careful consideration of whether a master’s degree will truly benefit your specific career goals, otherwise, the investment might not yield the expected returns.
Here are Three Actionable Takeaways From This Episode
- Engage in Practical Projects: Start personal or online community projects in machine learning to build a diverse portfolio. Aayush’s experience at Samsung, where his projects led to real-world applications, emphasizes the value of hands-on experience.
- Education and Research Exposure: Enroll in foundational courses and specialized electives in your interests. Regularly read and perhaps contribute to research papers in top conferences to stay current and find inspiration, as advised by Aayush.
- Resume Optimization and Networking: Highlight relevant projects and keywords in your resume to capture the attention of recruiters in the field. Expand your professional network through LinkedIn and academic collaborations to open new career avenues.