Indian-born engineer Varun Goyal, 25, has talked about how he left a successful profession in quantitative trading to work for an AI firm.  Prior to making the unorthodox career change, Goyal, an IIT Kanpur alumnus, earned his master’s degree in computer science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

Goyal acknowledged in a Business Insider interview that he was first drawn to quant positions due to their high salary and prestige.

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However, after talking to professionals in the field, his viewpoint shifted.  Compared to the competitive nature of large quant organizations, he preferred the collaborative ethos of startups. 

In contrast to the constrictive atmosphere of larger companies, where teams frequently compete and there is little opportunity for discussion of work outside of one’s group, he liked a more open setting. He also believed that exit choices were more limited in quant professions.

Teams at larger companies frequently compete, and it’s difficult to talk about your job outside of your group.  That felt constrictive to me as an extrovert who does best in a group setting.  Goyal told Business Insider that the departure choices in Quant felt more limited as well.

After applying to both sectors and going through a few quant interviews, he finally decided to join an AI business.  While AI seems like a more active and diverse profession, he compared quant positions to a single-lane racing track, which is quick but narrow.

The techie felt that the learning opportunities offset the disadvantages of working longer hours and earning less money as a member of an AI firm.  He pointed out that although the base pay is respectable, equity provides the true advantages, and AI businesses have a wealth of chances for development and education.

“How much I’ve learned outside of coding at the startup over the past year has surprised me the most.  I’m learning how to drive the product direction, hire, adjust, and sell.  I am more than just an engineer because of these abilities.  When I can, I try to attend client meetings, learn about their needs, help with hiring decisions, and observe and absorb the founders’ knowledge,” he continued.

The rapidly evolving AI industry also added a sense of urgency, as Goyal pointed out that if features and tools based on fresh research are not released on time, the competition may surpass you.  Goyal admitted that it can be difficult to keep up with the AI market’s rapid advancements, stating that it frequently places him in an awkward situation. Despite this, he is happy with his choice and believes it has greatly accelerated his professional and personal development.