How to Start a Career in Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it is already shaping how we live, work, study, and even make everyday decisions. From recommendations on OTT platforms for what you watch to the GPS on your phone, from chatbots to medical diagnostics, AI is everywhere. With the belief that AI is a field for the longer run, everyone today is asking the same question: how do I start my career in Artificial Intelligence?

Whether you are a high school student, a recent graduate, or someone looking for a job switch, pursuing an AI-driven path must have crossed your mind. While it seems to be a fascinating career opportunity, it is better if you analyse whether this field is truly a fit for you or not. Today, in this blog, we are going to share how to start a career in Artificial Intelligence, and even to measure whether a career in AI is actually suitable for you or not. So, without further ado, let’s get to the point.

Why Artificial Intelligence is the New Trend?

Whether while scrolling through social media or making a search on the internet, you must have come across ‘ask AI’ and as the digital world fantasises it, you must be thinking this is the right career path for you.

As the world is moving towards digitalisation, AI sits right at the centre of this transformation. Companies across AI, healthcare, finance, education, marketing, and even agriculture are actively hiring AI-skilled professionals, making it a fast-growing career path.

According to industry trends, AI-related job roles are amongst the highest-paying careers in the world, providing a secure career for life. But here’s a reality check: what makes you think that AI is the field for you?

Many students today aim to pursue a career simply based on trends. As AI is surely going to overtake the world, it is also crucial for you to know that whether or not it is for you. As we move forward, here is how you can start a career in AI if it is what’s meant for you. And if not, then we are also going to share how you can find what career is meant for you.

Step 1: Understand what AI Really is (Before Chasing the Hype)

Many students assume AI means robots, hardcore math, or sitting in front of a laptop all day writing complex code. In reality, AI is a broad field that includes:

• Machine Learning (ML)
• Data Science & Analytics
• Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Computer Vision
• AI-powered Product & Business Roles

Some roles are deeply technical, while others are more analytical or strategic. This is why self-awareness is critical before choosing AI as a career.

This is where a psychometric test followed by career counselling becomes extremely valuable. Instead of blindly following trends, a psychometric test can help you understand:

• Your aptitude for logical and analytical thinking
• Your interest areas (technical vs non-technical)
• Your learning style and strengths
• Whether AI aligns with your long-term personality traits

Choosing AI without understanding yourself can lead to burnout, confusion, or career switches later. Hence, to make an informed decision, whether or not AI is the right field for you, you must take a psychometric test followed by career counselling.

Step 2: Choose the Right Academic Path After Class 10th or 12th

If you really think that AI is the path for you and you’ve got this feeling in your early high school days, then here’s how you are going to pick the right path after class 10th or 12th.

For Student After Class 10th

If you are in class 9th or 10th and already interested in AI, then you must:

• Focus on Mathematics and Science Fundamentals
• Opt for Science stream (PCM) after class 10th
• Start basic exposure through coding platforms or AI-based tools

Early career guidance is crucial at this stage. As many students choose streams based on marks, parental pressure, or peer influence; only to regret it later, by the help of a psychometric test followed by one-on-one career counselling, you can align your academic choices with your natural strengths, and not just your grades.

For Students After Class 12th

If you are a student with PCM background, then after class 12th, the most common pathway for you in AI field includes:

• BTech/BE in AI, Computer Science, or Data Science
• BSc in AI, Machine Learning, or Statistics
• Integrated AI programmes in India or abroad

Students without clarity often ask: Should I choose Computer Science o AI specialisation? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. The right choice depends on your aptitude, career goals, interests, and learning preferences; which again can be identified through a psychometric test followed by career counselling.

Step 3: Build the Right Skill Set (Not Just Degrees)

The next step in your journey of a career in AI should be the focus on having the right skill set. Indeed, degrees matter, but skills matter more when it comes to careers like AI. Employers around the world, when it comes to hiring AI professionals, focuses more on what you can do and not just where you studied. So, the key skills that you focus on building includes:

• Programming basics (Python is more preferred)
• Statistics and probability (foundation-level understanding)
• Data handling and interpretation
• Logical and critical thinking
• Problem-solving mindset

Here, a career counselling expert can guide you better. After analysing your psychometric test results, the counsellors could suggest which skills you need to build and which ones to enhance. Furthermore, as you don’t need to master everything at once, the counsellors will guide you what should be your first step and how you can gradually grow to perfection. The career counselling experts here help you by creating a personalised roadmap so that you don’t waste time hopping between random courses or videos.

Step 4: Explore AI Career Roles Early

One mistake that Indian students specifically make is following that same traditional path; studying first and then exploring career options later. However, when you are pursuing a career like AI, you need to do both together. Here is a list of AI career roles that you can explore while studying.

• Machine Learning Engineer
• Data Scientist
• AI Research Analyst
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• AI Product Manager
• AI Consultant

Not every job role suits everyone, and so, it is crucial that before you finalise on your path, you consult the experts regarding your most-suit AI related career path. Now, it is also a possibility that the career path that is not suitable for you today, can be a great fit for you tomorrow as you interest may grow. This is why; career counselling is not a one-time activity. As industries evolve and your interests change, continuous guidance can gelp you stay aligned with the right AI path.

Step 5: Consider Studying AI Abroad (If it Fits Your Profile)

Studying abroad is beneficial for multiple reasons but two of the major ones are: a) the opportunity of practical education, and b) the opportunity of working abroad after graduation. With better research exposure, industry connections, and global career opportunities, you can be the next big thing in the AI field if only you know what suits you the best.

Countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, and Ireland offer specialised AI and data science programmes. However, studying abroad is a major investment, both financially and emotionally. To make sure you take the right decision, there are career counselling experts to support you. A psychometric test followed by career counselling helps you answer critical questions like:

• Are you academically and emotionally ready for global education?
• Does an international AI degree align with your long-term goals?
• Which country and curriculum suit your learning style the best?

As without proper guidance students are intend to make wrong decisions, it is through career counselling that students get to analyse their options and make informed choices.

Step 6: Learn Through Projects, Internships, and Real Exposure

The last step in your journey of starting a career in AI is by gaining practical experience. AI cannot be learned passively, and as you require hands-on exposure, it is crucial that you start with:

• Small AI or data projects
• Online hackathons and competitions
• Internships (even unpaid ones initially)
• Research projects in college

It is only through right career counselling that you will get to know the right route to practical education and exposure. As the opportunities don’t come knocking on the door, it is the counsellors the help match your profile instead of asking you to do a random internship.

MetaApply Career Counselling- Helping You Start Your Career in AI!

Just because it is a “trend,” every student today feels the urge to build a career in Artificial Intelligence without having to know whether it suits them or not. While the benefits are good and real, it is not compulsory that AI is also a field for you.

This is where the MetaApply Psychometric Test makes a difference. When you take the psychometric test, the result of this scientific assessment shows what are your strengths, skills, and interests. After interpreting the results for you, the MetaApply Career Counselling experts guide you through which career path would be the best fit for you.

At MetaApply Career Counselling, you not only get to know which field is best suited for you, but you also get a personalised roadmap of how you can accomplish your ultimate career goals. So, if AI also excites you but you’re not sure about it, it is time that you connect with MetaApply Career Counselling experts today!