Hi, I’m 24 years old. Due to past mental health challenges, there is a big gap in my resume. I just started working as a freelancer in an AI tutor position 7 months ago. Also, I couldn’t go to university for the same reason.
My skills include:
Development Economics: MITx Online certificate for Data, Economics, and Development Policy
Cybersecurity: “hacker” rank on Hack the Box
Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus (Learned through MITOCW, not just watching, but solving problems)
English speaking skills: Upper-intermediate (B1 to B2)
Currently, my health issues are almost resolved, and I’m prioritizing improving English speaking skills. I applied for 80000 hours’ 1-on-1 career advising just before the Career Week started. (it says it takes about 2 weeks to review, which is why I’m commenting anyway.)
Questions:
What would you do if you were in my position?
Should I start networking in the EA community? My English teacher says my English is good enough for the international community, but I’m still nervous. (I’ve never seen much about non-English speakers on the EA forum, and I don’t think EA Japan is active now.)
Hi alphaplus, thank you for the questions. I’m glad to hear your health is improving.
I want to start by saying: your (written) English seems fine! Even if you’re concerned about your speaking skills, you can always lean in to your written ability to connect, exchange ideas, and grow.
Without knowing more, it’s hard to give very tailored advice, so here are some messages I think more folks should take seriously:
even if the most egregious risks of AI don’t materialise soon (or at all), I’ll claim (albeit without justification) that having an understanding of how these technologies are transforming the world puts one is a good place to help out in many future scenarios.
As a result, I advocate more people develop ‘situational awareness’, and make their plans keeping (the possibility of) rapid AI progress in mind.
To your main question of “What would you do if you were in my position?”, there are several ways to progress. One procedure is articulated here:
Make some best guesses (hypotheses) about which options seem best.
Identify your key uncertainties about those hypotheses.
Go and investigate those uncertainties.
The key point is to try things, get feedback, and update your beliefs, and try again. Once you have more clarity, you’ll be able to aim for and commit to specific paths.
Finally, there are no real barriers to entry to engaging with Effective Altruism! If you think you’ll find value in connecting with folks in the community, you absolutely should. In addition to this Forum, there are plenty of other spaces, e.g. EAG(x) events you can attend, or slack channels you can join.
Hi, I’m 24 years old. Due to past mental health challenges, there is a big gap in my resume. I just started working as a freelancer in an AI tutor position 7 months ago. Also, I couldn’t go to university for the same reason.
My skills include:
Development Economics: MITx Online certificate for Data, Economics, and Development Policy
Cybersecurity: “hacker” rank on Hack the Box
Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus (Learned through MITOCW, not just watching, but solving problems)
English speaking skills: Upper-intermediate (B1 to B2)
Currently, my health issues are almost resolved, and I’m prioritizing improving English speaking skills. I applied for 80000 hours’ 1-on-1 career advising just before the Career Week started.
(it says it takes about 2 weeks to review, which is why I’m commenting anyway.)
Questions:
What would you do if you were in my position?
Should I start networking in the EA community? My English teacher says my English is good enough for the international community, but I’m still nervous. (I’ve never seen much about non-English speakers on the EA forum, and I don’t think EA Japan is active now.)
Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi alphaplus, thank you for the questions. I’m glad to hear your health is improving.
I want to start by saying: your (written) English seems fine! Even if you’re concerned about your speaking skills, you can always lean in to your written ability to connect, exchange ideas, and grow.
Without knowing more, it’s hard to give very tailored advice, so here are some messages I think more folks should take seriously:
AI could be a big deal, soon. It could create huge dangers.
In light of this, lots of stuff needs doing, e.g. technical research, governance, cybersecurity, international cooperation.
even if the most egregious risks of AI don’t materialise soon (or at all), I’ll claim (albeit without justification) that having an understanding of how these technologies are transforming the world puts one is a good place to help out in many future scenarios.
As a result, I advocate more people develop ‘situational awareness’, and make their plans keeping (the possibility of) rapid AI progress in mind.
To your main question of “What would you do if you were in my position?”, there are several ways to progress. One procedure is articulated here:
Make some best guesses (hypotheses) about which options seem best.
Identify your key uncertainties about those hypotheses.
Go and investigate those uncertainties.
The key point is to try things, get feedback, and update your beliefs, and try again. Once you have more clarity, you’ll be able to aim for and commit to specific paths.
Finally, there are no real barriers to entry to engaging with Effective Altruism! If you think you’ll find value in connecting with folks in the community, you absolutely should. In addition to this Forum, there are plenty of other spaces, e.g. EAG(x) events you can attend, or slack channels you can join.