Tell HN: I got a job while following my curiosity

[rec_rev]

when the new generative AI boom started, a friend and I felt like we were constantly stuck behind the curve. We decided to host a weekly meetup with anyone interested and using generative AI. From that a desire to host a few hackathons was created, and that we executed as well. At one hackathon, I met my new employer, after they saw my attitude, ability and learning rate. At the start of the journey, there was no idea of what could come out of the weekly grind of a meetup, but this is one of the few things that have come out of it. tldr; started a meetup, momentum grew to host hackathons, met my new employer.

[trilinearnz]

Great story, thank you for sharing. I had a similar experience merely as an attendee at a local meetup. I submitted an idea for a quick talk, performed well, and this set me up well for a job with an outfit whose lead developer was in attendance. So, can vouch for meetups as being a great way to give your career a bump if you have some latent energy and are looking for a change :)

[quickthrower2]

Nice one! I have the same approach I think. Curiosity driven. If a job comes of it, that is good, but I don't want to "aim" for that.

[rec_rev]

Agreed, a happy side effect from pursuing something worthwhile. A heuristic that can help before starting anything new: "If I am guaranteed to fail at this, would I still do it?" [aiming for process instead of outcomes] or "If I can tell noone about this, would I still do it" [aiming at interesting things for yourself, and not prestigious things]

[penaazv]

This is SO COOL. Thank you for sharing!

[penaazv]

Super wholesome. Congrats!

[rec_rev]

Thank you! It has been a great ride so far, hope others find a similar path through the meetups or hackathons

[JazzyEssy]

Wow congratulation! This is exciting news especially with many employees being replaced by AI

[rec_rev]

thank you! I thought it was interesting seeing this angle from the experience. Thank you for sharing.

I am based in Southern Africa, and I haven't witnessed first hand AI replacement in work. Have you seen anything in your part of the world/industry?