I landed a Big Tech AI job. Treating my career like a science lab helped me overcome my fear of learning AI.

At just 25 years old, Nitya Kumar has made significant strides in the tech industry, landing a position at Adobe. Her journey is a testament to the power of creativity and experimentation in career development. After graduating from art school in the United States in 2022, Nitya started her career in product design at Meta. However, by 2024, she noticed a transformative shift towards artificial intelligence in the tech landscape and recognized the need to acquire new skills in AI design. Rather than viewing her career as a traditional ladder to climb, Nitya adopted a unique approach by treating her professional development as a 'science lab.' This mindset allowed her to explore, experiment, and ultimately overcome her initial trepidation about learning AI. She took the initiative to educate herself, immersing in resources like YouTube and collaborating with friends to enhance her understanding of AI tools. Focusing on practical application, Nitya devised a structured plan: dedicating just one hour a day to experimenting with AI tools like Cursor. This methodical approach led to the creation of a playful game that could recognize dance movements, showcasing her innovative spirit. As she became more comfortable with various AI applications, she expanded her experiments to include generating Matcha recipes and creating prototypes that sparked engaging conversations during interviews. Over four months of dedicated experimentation culminated in Nitya securing a UX design position at Adobe in November 2025. In her new role, she focuses on developing interactive AI experiences, including conversational assistants. Despite feeling the pressure to learn more, her previous experiments instilled a sense of confidence that propelled her forward. In addition to her design work, Nitya has taken on a leadership role by conducting bi-weekly AI workshops for her colleagues at Adobe in India. These sessions foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing, helping others navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. As she assists her peers with debugging and prototype development, Nitya continues to enhance her own skills and grow as a leader. Nitya's journey illustrates that treating one's career as a laboratory for exploration can yield remarkable results, especially for those without a formal background in a given field. Her innovative approach not only helped her transition into AI but also fueled her creative abilities and improved her design acumen.