Golden Nuggets Podcast Golden Nuggets #37 with Justin Skycak: Balancing learning with creative output
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Sep 28, 2024 Justin Skycak, a machine learning enthusiast, shares his journey of balancing foundational learning with creative outputs. They discuss the importance of building a strong portfolio while engaging in enjoyable projects. The conversation highlights how social dynamics can enhance learning, particularly in mathematics, and stresses the significance of mentorship. Justin also emphasizes the value of deep learning over mere efficiency, the diverse career paths in math, and innovative communication methods to connect with audiences effectively.
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Invest In Foundations Before Showcase Projects
- Build foundational math and ML knowledge before expecting to produce an interview-worthy project.
- Use projects early for motivation but allocate most time to learning so you can customize models meaningfully.
Use An 80/20 Rule For Learning Vs Building
- Allocate a fixed fraction of time to projects while you build fundamentals (e.g., ~20% projects, 80% study).
- Adapt the split based on interview feedback and project traction.
Let Interview Feedback Guide Your Next Step
- Keep career feelers out and iterate: if interviewers aren’t impressed, upskill foundations; if they are, double down on projects.
- Let interviewer feedback guide whether to learn more or ship more.