From Pre-Med to AI Engineering: My Journey as a UNC International Student
In 2023, I arrived at UNC-Chapel Hill as an international student from Burma, focused on a pre-med track. However, global policy shifts and travel restrictions made me realize that the path to medical school as an international student was increasingly precarious. I needed a pivot—not just for my career, but for my security.
I chose Computer Science, driven by the rise of AI. While many of my peers had been coding since childhood, I realized that AI tools allow newcomers to learn and build at an accelerated pace. UNC’s flexibility allowed me to explore this interest, but starting "late" meant I had to work twice as hard to secure an internship.
Through trial and error, here is the strategy that actually worked.
1. Build in Public (and Focus on UI)
Recruiters aren't always technical. I spent my winter break building AI-driven projects, but I made sure they had accessible front-end interfaces.
The LinkedIn Strategy: I posted videos of my projects in action. This visual proof garnered traction and led to coffee chats with alumni.
Full-Stack Proof: I didn't just write code; I launched the projects. This proved I could handle a full-stack lifecycle and demonstrated proficiency in multiple major languages.
2. Hackathons & Intensive Self-Study
I used hackathons as a high-pressure environment to learn new technologies and collaborate. Outside of these events, I treated technical concepts as a full-time job, self-studying to bridge the gap between my biology background and my new CS goals.
3. Aggressive Networking
I invested in LinkedIn Premium for a month to bypass the noise.
The "UNC Connection": I targeted founders who were UNC alumni. While I faced plenty of silence, two alumni responded, and both led to offers.
Professor Outreach: By reaching out to faculty, I secured an AI Engineering internship at Utilyst, where I’ll be working through this summer and fall.
4. Leveraging Reliable Platforms
I learned to distinguish between "noise" and quality opportunities:
Handshake > General Job Boards: Handshake's affiliation with universities makes it far more reliable and less prone to scam postings.
Career Fairs: These remain the best way to "skip the line." If you can convince a recruiter of your value in person, you bypass the automated resume filters.
5. Ignoring the "Noise" and Gatekeepers
The tech industry—much like pre-med—can be hyper-competitive and occasionally toxic. I was told by peers and Reddit users that personal projects were "useless" in the age of AI and that I should only focus on my GPA.
The Reality: I have never been asked for my transcript. Every interview I’ve had focused on my projects. Furthermore, most forward-thinking companies now accommodate—and even encourage—the use of AI during the interview process.
Part of my drive came from a place of spite. When a fellow student told me it was "too late" for me to get an internship, it gave me the fuel to prove them wrong. To any international student feeling stuck: the gatekeepers are wrong. With a strategic approach to projects and a relentless networking habit, you can bridge the gap—no matter when you start.