5 people explain how they broke into AI training and how much they make in their side hustle

Tech Insider : Business, Politics, Technology
A design featuring five individuals who landed AI jobs

Peter Intile, Jessica Hamilton, Fred Nau, Ryan Adams, Elizabeth Boyd; Getty Images; Tyler Le/BI

My wife and I met at a clown convention. Our retirement plan is to be Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Tech Insider : Business
Clowns on stage performing
Eric Zander-Hussey and his wife, Kolinda, have worked as clowns since 2011.

Courtesy of Eric Zander-Hussey

I left Florida for Spain. It's cheaper, but I miss being able to order from Amazon.

Tech Insider : Business, Politics
A woman takes a selfie on a Spanish rooftop holding a glass of wine.
Jennifer Cody Kemp is living the good life in Alicante, Spain.

Courtesy of Jennifer Cody Kemp

I was a senior director of GenAI at Meta. I have 4 tips for breaking into AI — including whether you need a Ph.D.

Tech Insider : Business
Devi Parikh smiling
Parikh quit her job as a senior director of GenAI at Meta in 2024.

Courtesy of Yutori

I was laid off by Intel — then my wife lost her job. 4 months later, I still can't find work.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Sriram Ramkrishna
Sriram Ramkrishna

Sriram Ramkrishna

I lost my full-time job and had to drain my savings and take 2 service jobs to make ends meet. It taught me to lean on people.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Smiling woman in a camel coat standing in sunlight against a geometric black-and-white wall.
Keijhon Francis spent over a year unemployed before finding a new role.

Courtesy of Keijhon Francis

I traded software engineering for 17-hour work days as a prawn noodle hawker. It's lonely, hot, and somehow rewarding.

Tech Insider : Business
Alvin Tan decided to take a break from software development and started a prawn noodle stall.
Alvin Tan decided to take a break from software development and started a prawn noodle stall.

Aditi Bharade

I got two grants to put $15,000 toward buying my first home. Incentive programs are my favorite hack for homeownership.

Tech Insider : Business
A woman sitting on the porch of a home in Baltimore.
Kourtnee Turner bought her first home in Maryland after stacking homebuying incentives offered by the state.

Courtesy of Kourtnee Turner

I divorced my husband, and 6 months later, I met my girlfriend. We are celebrating Thanksgiving with both our families this year.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Woman posing for photo
Lace Larrabee divorced her ex and met her girlfriend.

Courtesy of Lace Larrabee

We're Americans who've traveled to 12 countries this year doing the 'Schengen shuffle.' Here's how it works.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Eric and Christina Schwendeman
Eric and Christina Schwendeman practice the "Schengen shuffle."

Eric and Christina Schwendeman

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