I'm not only an AI Engineer
Because we can do better than that
After working in my startup as an AI engineer, I really started to identify with the engineer persona. I think like an engineer (isolating problems in my life), dress lazily like an engineer (hoodies and T-shirts with no earrings), with messy hair, exercise like an engineer (playing ping pong every day), and worry like an engineer (concerned about human relationship problems).
However, it wasn't until I went to Mexico, where I attended three dance parties a day and one night club, that I began to realize I didn't want to be just an engineer.
Because being an engineer means being tech-savvy, but there's so much more to human society than just technology. When I went on shopping trips and acquired new earrings, rings, and necklaces in Mexico, I remembered the confidence that naturally came with dressing well, as a businessperson would. When I danced at clubs, even though I felt sick, I recalled the risks and excitement I used to embrace during my first year at Minerva. When I noticed people looking at me on the street, I realized that my attraction wasn't limited to the AI work I was doing. Immersing oneself in AI tech work is great, but sometimes, I find it beneficial to look up from my screen and engage in a social game.
Socializing might be challenging for an engineer, but it shouldn't be a problem for me. In fact, based on my strategic training, I knew I excelled at this game compared to the average person. Does the engineer with the best tech skills earn the most in this society? No, but probably the one with the best marketing skills does.
This is similar to finding a job and working relationships, which may depend more on whether an intelligent player can play well within the rules rather than on an intelligent expert who excels in their field.
Norms are essentially foolish rules that society tries to make us believe are unbreakable, even though they can be broken. For example, the narrative surrounding women in tech portrays them as underrepresented and lacking power. However, the business world isn't charity, and waiting for others to help doesn't yield results. The smart approach to being a woman in tech is to leverage the advantages of being underrepresented and assert your power when others perceive you as powerless (e.g. embracing vulnerability and building relationships)
In summary, I woke up and realized that I'm not just an AI engineer.
I'm a Minervan. I possess street-smart skills that enable me to adapt to different environments and cultures.
I'm a strategist. Even if other engineers at my company receive low salaries, I still have the opportunity to negotiate effectively if I'm clever enough.
For the past few months, I've been manifesting my identity of "I'm an AI engineer" to boost my confidence in my engineering skills. But now, I believe it's time to expand this identity and make it bow to my advantage.
I was previously avoident about my salary negotiation because I thought I was an engineer. But as a strategist and as a Minerva, I feel excited to take risks and play with all the cards I have.
(will apply #powerdynamics #negotiation #persuation soon)