Highlights:
- Manoj Tumu, 23, left Amazon to join Meta with a $400,000 (₹3.36 crore) compensation package.
- He works in Meta’s advertising research team as a machine learning engineer.
- Says internships, even low-paying ones, are crucial for breaking into AI/ML roles.
- Advises job seekers to highlight experience over projects on résumés after 2–3 years in the field.
- Prepared for interviews by studying company values and writing tailored answers for behavioral rounds.
At age 23, Manoj Tumu, an Indian-American techie, left Amazon for a lucrative ₹3.36 crore ($400,000) offer at Meta’s advertising research team, sharing his approach and advice for aspiring AI professionals. His journey highlights the shifting nature of tech career paths, the value of practical experience, and preparation strategies for landing top roles in machine learning and AI.
Career path and transition
Manoj Tumu began his higher education in 2022 during a boom in AI, with rapid developments in deep learning and tools like ChatGPT making the tech landscape more competitive than ever. After accelerating his undergraduate degree and simultaneously working full-time as an engineer while completing his master’s in AI, Tumu joined Amazon as a machine learning software engineer and spent nine months there. Observing Meta’s innovative work in machine learning, he applied via LinkedIn and the company website, directly securing his current role without relying on referrals.
Why he chose Meta over Amazon
Tumu felt that Meta offered greater opportunities for growth and impact in AI, particularly in the advertising research space. He found Meta’s projects more interesting and future-facing, aligning with his career goals. Tumu emphasizes the importance of choosing passion over immediate financial reward: “I chose an entry-level machine learning role, even though it paid less, because it excited me more. That eventually opened bigger doors, including this Meta offer.” His story suggests that opting for what truly interests a candidate can lead to greater success in the long run.
Insights on AI careers and interviews
Tumu explains that AI job roles vary by company—research scientist, applied scientist, software engineer, or machine learning engineer—and advises candidates to carefully understand the responsibilities each entails. The field has rapidly shifted from classical techniques to deep learning, increasing the need for adaptability and up-to-date skills.
When applying for jobs, Tumu recommends prioritizing relevant professional experience over academic projects, especially for those with two-plus years in the industry. Internships, even low-paying ones, are far more valuable for building real-world skills that are attractive to big tech firms. He didn’t have a reference for either Amazon or Meta; his resume, built on solid experience rather than projects or programming languages, stood out to recruiters.
Strategies for interview preparation
Tumu underscores the significance of preparing for behavioral interview rounds, which are often underestimated. He researched company values and leadership principles—Amazon’s principles and Meta’s corporate values—then wrote tailored stories and answers for possible scenarios. He faced six rounds of interviews at Amazon and several rigorous rounds at Meta, covering coding, machine learning, and behavioral topics. His key advice: study the company’s culture and align responses during interviews with their principles.
Advice for aspiring AI professionals
Tumu’s guidance for job seekers includes securing internships while in college, focusing resumes on experience after a couple of years, and not worrying initially about pay. He encourages candidates to prepare thoroughly for behavioral interviews and to choose roles that inspire passion, as that drives long-term growth.
In summary, Manoj Tumu’s journey demonstrates that ambitious, strategic choices, real-world experience, and tailored interview preparation are critical to breaking into high-paying AI roles at leading tech companies like Meta.
