Tom Brown, cofounder of Anthropic and one of the first 20 employees at OpenAI, has shared invaluable career advice for aspiring AI professionals based on his unconventional journey into artificial intelligence. Despite scoring a B- in linear algebra, Brown successfully transitioned from working at Y Combinator-backed startups to becoming a key figure in the AI industry.
Brown’s path into AI began at Grouper, a group dating app, where he connected with Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s cofounder and president. This networking relationship proved crucial when OpenAI was announced in 2015. However, Brown didn’t feel immediately qualified for AI work, admitting he needed six months of intensive self-study before feeling confident enough to contribute without being “a drag on them.”
During his self-study period, Brown utilized several resources including “Linear Algebra Done Right” by Sheldon Axler, Google DeepMind’s e-book “How to Scale Your Model,” Coursera courses, and Kaggle projects. He also leveraged a YC alum credit to purchase a GPU for hands-on learning. Brown emphasized the importance of mentorship and peer learning, stating that surrounding yourself with people you want to emulate accelerates growth.
Brown’s persistence paid off when he messaged Brockman offering to help “in any way,” even joking he’d “mop floors” if needed. He was eventually assigned to a gaming project at OpenAI, though it took nine more months before he worked on machine learning projects. In 2021, Brown left OpenAI with Dario and Daniela Amodei to cofound Anthropic, now a major player in the AI industry.
Brown’s five key career tips include: surrounding yourself with aspirational people, finding mentors and learning communities, knowing how to be helpful to those doing work you admire, taking calculated risks on projects that would impress your idealized self, and keeping personal expenses low to cushion failures. He advocates for learning by doing, suggesting people should “try doing it first, then see where you fail” rather than over-preparing. While Brown acknowledges his 2015 approach may not directly translate to today’s competitive AI market, his emphasis on networking, self-directed learning, and persistence remains highly relevant for AI career seekers.
Key Quotes
Surround yourself with people you want to be like. You’ll become more similar to them over time.
Tom Brown emphasized the importance of networking and choosing your professional circle wisely. This advice reflects how his connection with Greg Brockman at Grouper eventually led to his opportunity at OpenAI, demonstrating the long-term value of building relationships with people in your target industry.
I messaged Greg as soon as OpenAI was announced, and I was like, ‘I’d love to help out in some way. I got a B- in linear algebra, but I know some engineering. I’ve done a bit of distributed systems work if you guys need help. I’m happy to mop floors if you guys need. I want to help out however.’
This quote showcases Brown’s humble yet persistent approach to breaking into AI. Despite feeling underqualified academically, he leveraged his existing skills and demonstrated genuine enthusiasm, illustrating that determination and willingness to contribute can overcome perceived educational deficiencies.
The best way to get good at something is usually by doing it directly. Try doing it first, then see where you fail. That will show you where you need to practice.
Brown’s practical advice challenges the tendency to over-prepare before taking action. This learn-by-doing philosophy reflects how he approached his own AI education and suggests that aspiring AI professionals should prioritize hands-on experience over theoretical perfection.
It seemed at the time that you needed to be top superstar to try to help out at all. So I had a lot of uncertainty about whether I would be able to help.
Brown candidly admitted his impostor syndrome when considering AI work, acknowledging it took ‘courage’ to make the career switch. This vulnerability makes his success story more relatable and encouraging for others who may feel intimidated by the AI field’s perceived intellectual barriers.
Our Take
Brown’s story is particularly compelling because it challenges the elitist narrative often surrounding AI careers. His B- in linear algebra becoming a talking point rather than a disqualifier sends a powerful message about the democratization of AI knowledge. What stands out is his strategic approach: he didn’t wait to feel fully qualified but instead identified how he could be useful immediately, even offering non-technical help. This “foot-in-the-door” strategy remains relevant today. His emphasis on keeping expenses low is especially prescient given the current tech layoffs and market uncertainty. The six-month self-study timeline provides a realistic benchmark for career changers, while his resource recommendations offer a concrete starting point. Most importantly, Brown’s journey from Grouper to Anthropic illustrates that AI careers are built on persistence, networking, and continuous learning rather than just academic pedigree—a message that could inspire a more diverse generation of AI practitioners.
Why This Matters
This story provides crucial insights into breaking into the competitive AI industry at a time when demand for AI talent has never been higher. Brown’s journey from scoring poorly in linear algebra to cofounding Anthropic demonstrates that non-traditional paths into AI are viable, challenging the perception that only elite academics can contribute to cutting-edge AI research. His emphasis on networking and mentorship highlights often-overlooked soft skills that can be as important as technical expertise.
The timing is particularly significant as the AI industry faces a talent shortage while simultaneously experiencing rapid growth following ChatGPT’s success. Brown’s advice to “learn by doing” and keep expenses low offers practical guidance for career changers navigating an uncertain job market. His six-month self-study roadmap and specific resource recommendations provide a concrete blueprint for aspiring AI professionals. Furthermore, his acknowledgment that his 2015 approach may need adaptation shows awareness of how quickly the AI landscape evolves, making his updated advice especially valuable for today’s job seekers looking to enter this transformative field.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/anthropic-cofounder-tom-brown-career-advice-ai-2025-8