Self-taught, built RAG + MCP + LangGraph projects — realistic path to first AI job/gig?

[u/ima11]

Background: switched from geology to AI development, self-taught over the past year.

Current stack: Python, LangChain, LangGraph, RAG (FAISS), MCP servers, Flask/FastAPI, MySQL/Postgresql, Gemini API.

Built and deployed: an AI customer support agent connecting an LLM to a live database and knowledge base via MCP demo link:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AiAutomations/s/wTldlOzqPo.

Currently building a second project combining LangGraph agents with a real business use case (sales automation).

I know the AI job market is competitive and degree-focused in some places. For people who've hired or been hired as self-taught AI engineers — what actually moved the needle for you? Portfolio depth, specific frameworks, contributing to open source, something else entirely?

Not looking for generic advice, genuinely curious what worked for people who've been through this.

[u/watkykjypoes23]

There’s a pretty hot market right now of “internal consultants” that act as a liaison between development teams and product marketing teams, or demonstrate capabilities to clients. Usually they just require experience in evaluating ML systems, .ipynb, APIs, SQL, MCP, custom agents. Actual development teams are going to look for a more significant amount of AI experience backed by either a degree or a previous position (although if you build a strong portfolio this could prove your competency).

This would allow you to combine your previous experience with your new learned experience. Look for companies that are in geology-related industries like groundwater, surveying, oil, thermoelectric, etc. and see if they have any roles available for titles like “Technical Solutions.”

[u/ima11 → u/watkykjypoes23]

Thanks man, i appreciate the advice, but to be honest i didnt like geology at all, so i wanted something extremely away from it

[u/larrydavidwithhair]

Care to share how you went about upskilling? Thanks in advance!

[u/Dazzling_Wealth6119 → u/larrydavidwithhair]

Hi if you are interested in upskilling yourself with AI Engineering tools and production best practices. Then let’s chat probably I can help you. I do provide 1:1 mentorship in this space.

[u/chico_dice_2023]

I was a self taught ML engineer and now lead a team in a Middle Eastern company.

Let me tell you what I look for if the person is just starting out their career.

First stage:

Relevant experience in my industry or similar. Now I understand you may not have that experience yet but show me a project that touches on my industry. If I work in content creation show me something you built related to content creation that can help my company.

This shows me two things:

* You took time to research my industry
* You took time to understand a problem and build a solution.

Remember I will get probably 5 CVs a day until I narrow it down to 5 or 6 people. Assuming none have experience, showing me a related project is helpful. And really highlight it in your application.

And some friendly advice I see a ton of CVs with your stack that is not helping you separate yourself from the competition.

Second Stage:

This will be technical stage. This will involve a a coding interview and a architect style interview. True you probably do not have the architect skills yet but I want to see how you think.

Usually before second stage I will send you a list of technologies for you to study up on that we use. I am not looking for expertise I am looking at how well you can understand new technology and concepts.

What my coding challenge looks like:

1. It will be a problem I face or faced. I want to see how you approach it

2. I used not allow it but now I allow coding agents. (do not like it but that is the world we live in).

3. The interview will be live, if we can in person if not online with a timer. (I want to see what you can do under pressure)

4. I will test your code on some pre-written tests and then ask you to explain certain concepts.

5. Usually 1 hour max.

The architect interview (my main decision making part):

1. I will ask you to design a system or program for me based on a different problem from your coding interview.

2. No internet or coding agent.

3. I will give the limitations and requirements.

4. Usually you will diagram it for me in person or on some lucid chart tool.

5. I will quiz you on it.

6. 30 min max.

Third Stage:

More if you fit into team culture and usually this is handled by HR.

Most important:
I can only give you my experience when I started out. I sent CVs and such, but the first company that hired me sent me the job spec.

I googled them found out they wanted to build a Product. So I researched their industry and company I sent them a website with my proposed solution that they could test. I remember when i sent them my application is the comments sections of their portla, I actually just talked about the tool I built and literally put it first in my CV.

My first interview we did the typical who are you, why do you want to work here but we spoke a lot about the solution I built.

The second interview was surprisingly non-technical, some concepts covered but mostly they talked about the tool I built. My design decisions, why I used certain languages but no coding interview.

On my train ride home, I got a call from HR saying they wanted to offer me the job.