
Shadowing and Mentorship in Machine Learning: Gaining Experience Before Your First Full-Time Role
How to Find Mentors, Build Industry Connections, and Hone Your Technical & Soft Skills for a Thriving ML Career Machine learning (ML) is transforming industries at a rapid pace, fuelling breakthroughs in healthcare, finance, e-commerce, manufacturing, cybersecurity, and beyond. As the demand for ML expertise skyrockets, the competition for early-career opportunities has intensified. It’s not enough to complete an online course or a university degree; employers are looking for proven, hands-on experience. So, how do you stand out from the crowd? Two powerful strategies—shadowing and mentorship—can help you bridge the gap between academic theory and industry practice. By learning directly from experienced professionals, you gain practical insights and build the confidence needed to excel in real-world ML roles. In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore why mentorship is crucial, how to find the right mentors (both formally and informally), how to demonstrate your value as a mentee, and the best ways to shadow machine learning practitioners. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tactics to jump-start your career and secure your first full-time ML role.