Hi Reader, If you struggle to get stakeholder buy-in, the “effective stakeholder communication” framework I teach has been a game-changer for many students, and it might help you, too. Unlike traditional online courses that involve passive learning, Data Science & ML Career Accelerator has both self-paced lessons and interactive coaching sessions. I give students specific workbooks and guidelines to help them practice high-impact conversations with stakeholders. Check it out:...
17 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Greetings from Shanghai! I just reconnected with 3 friends after 11+ years. The only in common is we all studied math in college, and let's take a look at their lives now. 1. The Introverted "Tech Celebrity" Wei was in my math program during undergrad. His first job was a software engineer, then he joined a database startup where he became a developer advocate/tech evangelist – giving talks and supporting open-source communities. Despite being deeply introverted, his passion for...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Access the replay here after you sign up. So, we covered the fundamentals of personal branding. What’s next? I’m excited to share something with you. I’m launching a Personal Branding Accelerator this month. Our goal is simple: Create a trustworthy personal brand that opens doors to career-defining opportunities in just four weeks. Here’s your early invite: Launching: Personal Branding Accelerator (April 22 - May 22) This April, I’m helping 10 professionals build personal brands...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi friends, I dread opening LinkedIn these days because my feed is flooded with “BREAKING: AI NEWS”. That familiar feeling started creeping in—am I falling behind? Probably. And I'm fine with it. My current attitude toward AI news is "I'll see you when I see you". When everything is breaking news, it’s a sign to stop following the news. Today, I'd like to share the 3 things I learned about navigating the AI era (without losing my mind): 𝟭. Focus on use cases, not updates Most AI updates are...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi friends, Can you believe February is almost over? Anyways, recently I got an email from an OpenAI as below. I was surprised, because I haven't been working as a data scientist for over a year now, the only reason they think I'm a good fit is because they saw my Linkedin profile with 7+ years of experience, detailed technical blogs of what I have done, and those in-depth industry insights I shared. Why am I sharing this? Because being the "quiet" expert isn't enough anymore. The best...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi friends, Happy New Year! After living in Hongkong for a month, I'm writing from Beijing. Let me share the 11 things I did for the first time. This list includes 5 transformations that completely reshaped my 2024—from crying in coaching sessions to deadlifting 60kg. 1. Finding my own coach When I first heard 'life coaching,' I rolled my eyes. But navigating post-FAANG life solo wasn't easy. After reading 'Bending Reality' by Victoria Song, something clicked. It was eye-opening how she...
4 months ago • 3 min read
Hey friends, I know you are probably thinking about goals for 2025, and if a promotion is on your mind, this email might help you re-think your career choices. After 7 years at Amazon, I’ve seen 2 types of data scientists: “The Promotion Chaser” VS “The Career Capital Builder” Let's break down the two archetypes: 1️⃣ The first group masters the promotion playbook: ↳ They optimize for quick wins and visibility. ↳They know how to play the game. ↳Sometimes, they win - even with mediocre talent...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hey nerdy friends, It’s Christmas time, and the holiday season always brings a flood of memories with the cinnamon flavor everywhere. As I reflect on my journey, I’m taking you back to 2016 – to a conversation that completely transformed my understanding of success in tech. This is what I looked like in 2016 – excited about my new chapter at Amazon while still trying to find my place there, going on lots of hikes in Seattle, obviously. Let me share a moment that I still remember vividly: I...
4 months ago • 3 min read
At Amazon, performance review season transforms meeting rooms into war zones. Managers from different teams battle for promotion quotas and shield their team members from the dreaded PIP (Performance Improvement Plan). I'm doing a virtual fireside chat with someone who survived PIP and got a promotion later. Register here: https://lu.ma/4btlx0kg Today, let me share three stories about what your manager will never tell you. I guarantee you have never read those stories elsewhere. Get ready and...
8 months ago • 3 min read