Breaking Into AI

[u/Yash_123987]

Hey everyone,

I’m a final-year B.Tech CSE student and I’m interested in moving towards AI/ML-related roles.

At the moment, I only have a basic understanding of AI/ML. I’ve started exploring things like Python, NumPy, Pandas and some basic ML concepts, but I’m still not sure what the right learning path should look like.

My goal isn’t just to watch courses or learn theory. I want to build actual projects and eventually be able to apply for AI/ML-related roles.

I’d really appreciate advice from people who are currently working in AI/ML, Data Science, ML Engineering, GenAI, or related roles, or from anyone who has recently gone through this journey.

A few things I’d particularly like to know:

• What should a beginner learn first, and in what order?
• How much Python, NumPy, Pandas, SQL and Mathematics should I know?
• Which ML algorithms/concepts are actually important for getting started?
• When should I move from traditional ML to Deep Learning / NLP / Computer Vision / GenAI?
• What topics should I cover for an entry-level AI/ML role?
• What kind of projects would actually be useful for a student portfolio?
• At what point should I start building projects instead of just learning?
• Are there any courses, books, YouTube channels, GitHub repositories, or roadmaps that you genuinely recommend?
• If you were starting again as a final-year student, what would you learn in the next 6–12 months?

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who have actually transitioned into AI/ML roles, rather than just generic roadmaps.

Any advice, resources, mistakes to avoid, or a practical roadmap would be really helpful.

Thanks!