Breaking into the Tech Industry by Building AI and Data Skills

Making a profession shift into tech isn’t straightforward. Particularly when you have already got expertise in one other area. 

That’s the selection one ZTM pupil confronted. However by including new tech expertise on high of his background, he was capable of land his first business function in only a few months.

That is his story.

Meet Martin

Hello, my identify is Martin Valdivia , and I am the Supervisor of Digitalization and Compliance for a medical supplies manufacturing company called B.Braun.

I’ve been on this function for a couple of month now, since August 2025.

What did you do earlier than this function?

I used to be a researcher on the prestigious Technische Universität in Berlin, specializing in analysis subjects resembling digitalization and help of AI for mechatronic system growth, with a concentrate on traceability and simulation.

I’ve truly had a fairly attention-grabbing profession, working between totally different industries resembling aeronautics, development, manufacturing, high quality administration, design, and analysis!

What was the objective or final result you have been hoping for from ZTM? Did you obtain it?

I needed to get the TensorFlow developer certification from Google, as I figured it may assist my profession. I had a go searching and located Daniel Bourke’s course on the topic and labored my means by means of it.

This course then helped me perceive the subjects in a means that I may replicate these expertise on different tasks. 

Sadly, whereas I used to be taking the course, Google determined to cease providing the certification!  Nevertheless, I’ve since realized that certifications aren’t that necessary anyway, as firms care extra that you’ve got proof that you are able to do the work, in order that was tremendous. 

When did you first notice you wanted one thing like ZTM Academy?

I needed to discover a extra structured means of studying how you can use Deep Studying fashions, so I attempted out a few programs on totally different platforms. 

I had tried one other course the place they gave the choice to code instantly in their very own platform and get fast suggestions. The issue was that I then discovered it laborious to use this within the precise instruments utilized in business. Additionally, another programs have been old-fashioned.

That is once I began looking and located the ZTM programs. I actually appreciated the best way that the instructors break down in-depth subjects clearly, and I do know they’re up to date often. That and the truth that they train you how you can do all this utilizing the precise instruments that individuals use out within the business.

I took this course, after which went by means of and accomplished all of the programs within the Data Scientist and Data Analyst roadmaps additionally!

I did the entire Information Scientist observe in about 3-4 months; nonetheless, I did have some prior coding information earlier than beginning, so it would take different folks a bit of longer.

There have been just a few difficulties at occasions, because it’s a brand new matter and business, nevertheless it all got here collectively, and I used to be capable of begin fixing issues with Kaggle databases on my own, which was an enormous increase to my confidence!

Additionally, every course constructed on the others as there’s a number of overlap between information roles, so it bought simpler as I went.

What do you suppose differentiates ZTM from different assets you used?

I’d in all probability say that the largest issues are the entry to solutions from instructors, alongside the real-life issues that you simply get to work on. 

Editor’s notice: Each of our instructors works within the business they train, in order that they’re updated on data but in addition be certain the tasks and idea you’re studying is related to what you want within the function).

It’s actually laborious to discover a neighborhood the place the instructors and different members are so useful, and everybody actually desires you to succeed.

For instance

I noticed that one of many instructors (Diogo Resende) at ZTM lives in the identical metropolis as me. So I wrote to him and he agreed to satisfy for a espresso and a chat, which was enormous! 

I imply, who does that?

Diogo teaches the Information Science programs at ZTM, and was tremendous useful answering questions and giving me recommendation. I do know we may speak by way of the private Discord community, however this chat helped me so much, since I had the chance to talk with somebody who truly employed folks.

One of many large issues that he shared with me was about getting employed. I didn’t understand it on the time, however employers will often look for specific things in a potential new hire outside of the technical knowledge, which then helped when making use of for roles.

As for the neighborhood help, there have been at all times folks able to reply any questions I had, whereas the programs all had guided examples and actually explanatory movies. 

What has been the largest problem in your journey from studying to code to getting employed?

I needed to promote my coding expertise with out having expertise exterior of my course tasks. These positively helped, however the market was in a scenario the place expertise was most valued. 

Editor’s notice: That is why it is also price building personal projects round key concepts that you simply be taught inside programs. You’ll be able to then stand out additional, whereas additionally having distinctive experiences.

I needed to get into the business and was provided an excellent function as a digitalization skilled, so I jumped on the alternative. It’s not fairly the Information Scientist function that I used to be initially in search of, however the expertise I picked up through the programs positively assist me in my present function.

And I can at all times enhance additional and apply once more sooner or later with extra expertise below my belt.

Now that you’ve got your new place, how do you are feeling?

I really feel assured! I do know for a incontrovertible fact that I’ve the talents to carry out this function, in addition to belief in myself round evaluation and fashions.  And if I can’t resolve it, I’ve additionally constructed expertise to be versatile and determine issues out. One thing I didn’t notice I’d be taught, however tremendous useful.

Not solely that, I’ve additionally been capable of apply AI expertise to my common processes, which has helped to cut back the workload of myself and colleagues. This has helped free us as much as concentrate on extra necessary issues which is superior.

As for the wage, it is just like what I used to be on earlier than. Nevertheless, I’m on a brand new ‘floor degree’ on this function, and the ceiling to earn extra is way larger than I had in earlier roles.

What recommendation would you give different college students who’re contemplating becoming a member of the ZTM Academy?

I believe one of many key issues is to have the ability to resolve issues your self (which I do know appears odd once you’re serious about becoming a member of a coaching program).

What I imply by that is that the programs will train you what it’s essential know. However there’ll at all times be conditions that you simply’re not 100% prepared for, as a result of conditions being barely totally different, and that’s an excellent factor. 

Having the ability to get the ability to determine issues out is not going to solely make you extra hirable and assured, nevertheless it’ll additionally allow you to out in the true world and in your new job.

Belief me, once you hit a wall is when the true studying potential begins. 

Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask questions and say you don’t know, however that you simply’ll discover out. Over time, this will get simpler and simpler, and can truly make your total life much less demanding as a result of you realize you possibly can adapt!