Beyond Bikaner: How Curiosity & Code Forged an Indian AI Engineer’s Path to Seattle

Kriti Goyal’s path from Bikaner, Rajasthan, to a core AI engineering role in Seattle began unexpectedly when a Code.org video sparked her shift from medical aspirations to coding. Her strategic journey involved securing an internship at a global tech firm’s India office, followed by a targeted Master’s at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which provided both advanced skills and critical U.S. networking connections.

Crucially, her full-time position resulted not from online applications but proactive outreach to managers, underscoring the power of relationships. While her degree aided immigration, Kriti stresses the AI field increasingly prioritizes demonstrable skills—hands-on projects, practical internships, and continuous learning—over academic credentials alone. Her work focuses intensely on solving tangible problems through coding, research, and collaboration.

Kriti’s story reflects India’s growing strength as a hub for skilled, cost-effective AI implementation talent, though elite fundamental research roles remain concentrated in the U.S. She emphasizes that adaptability and relentless skill development are non-negotiable in this rapidly evolving field, advising aspirants to build authentic networks and prove capability through real-world work. Her journey exemplifies how curiosity, calculated leaps, and persistent reinvention can shape a global AI career.

Beyond Bikaner: How Curiosity & Code Forged an Indian AI Engineer’s Path to Seattle 

The narrative of the Indian tech professional migrating to global hubs is familiar. But Kriti Goyal’s journey from the sun-baked streets of Bikaner, Rajasthan, to the cutting-edge AI labs of Seattle is less a predictable script and more a testament to curiosity, calculated risk, and the transformative power of machine learning. Her story cuts through the hype surrounding AI careers, offering tangible lessons for aspiring engineers navigating this dynamic field. 

The Spark: From Stethoscopes to Syntax 

At 28, Kriti is a core AI/ML infrastructure engineer at a leading US tech firm, enabling machines to decipher the unknown. Yet, her initial dream involved medicine. The pivot point? A seemingly simple Code.org video featuring tech titans Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg. “It wasn’t just about their fame,” Kriti reflects. “It was the revelation that code – lines of logic and data – could build solutions, could create impact. That potential felt immediate and immense.” This moment ignited a passion that rerouted her ambition from biology textbooks to algorithms and neural networks. 

The Strategy: More Than Just a Master’s Degree 

Kriti’s path wasn’t accidental. It was meticulously plotted: 

• Home Ground Foundation: She secured a crucial internship at her future company’s India office. This wasn’t just resume padding; it provided real-world exposure to the tech ecosystem and company culture. 

• Targeted Upskilling & Network Building: Recognizing the need for deeper expertise and a foothold in the US market, she pursued a Master’s at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Crucially, she viewed the degree not as an end, but as a platform: “It was about the skills, yes, but equally about building relationships and understanding the industry landscape stateside.” 

• The Network Edge: Her full-time role in Seattle didn’t come from blindly applying online. It emerged through proactive networking – direct outreach and conversations with a manager, leveraging connections fostered during her US studies and internship. This highlights a critical, often understated, element of career growth: human connections within the industry. 

The Reality Check: Skills Trump Sheepskin 

While her Master’s facilitated her US transition, Kriti offers a vital caveat for today’s AI aspirants: “The field increasingly values demonstrable skill over academic pedigree.” Degrees open doors, especially for immigration, but they don’t guarantee success. What matters is: 

• Hands-On Projects: Can you build something? Can you show code, results, problem-solving on GitHub or a portfolio? 

• Practical Experience: Internships, freelance work, contributing to open-source – real-world application is king. 

• Continuous Learning: AI/ML evolves at breakneck speed. Stagnation is not an option. Curiosity and self-driven learning are non-negotiable. 

Her own role blends coding, research, and intense collaboration. “It’s deeply hands-on,” she says, “Solving tangible problems with ML is the thrill.” 

India’s AI Ascent: Promise, Pragmatism, and the Path Ahead 

Kriti’s journey mirrors India’s burgeoning position in the global AI arena: 

• Engineering Powerhouse: India excels in AI implementation, product development, and delivering cost-effective, high-quality engineering talent. Global firms increasingly leverage this advantage. 

• The Research Gap: However, Kriti acknowledges the concentration of elite, fundamental AI research roles remains largely in the US. These roles require deep theoretical expertise and significant R&D investment. 

• Bridging the Divide: Initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission signal positive intent. But experts stress that achieving true parity in cutting-edge research demands sustained, substantial investment in: 

• Advanced Upskilling: Specialized training in emerging areas (e.g., generative AI foundations, advanced ML theory). 

• Research Infrastructure: World-class computing resources and collaborative environments. 

• Industry-Academia Synergy: Fostering innovation through partnerships focused on real R&D challenges. 

The Takeaway: Adaptability is the Ultimate Algorithm 

Kriti Goyal’s story is more than geography. It’s about recognizing opportunity in a chance video, strategically building skills and networks, and embracing relentless adaptability. Her advice resonates universally: 

• Cultivate Deep Curiosity: Be driven by the “how” and “why,” not just the paycheck. 

• Build Tangible Skills: Show, don’t just tell. Focus on projects and practical experience. 

• Network Authentically: Forge genuine connections; they often unlock unseen doors. 

• Embrace Lifelong Learning: In AI, yesterday’s knowledge is tomorrow’s obsolescence. 

• Be Strategically Mobile: Understand where your skills are needed most, whether locally or globally. 

India’s AI journey is accelerating, fueled by talent like Kriti. While the path to global research leadership requires focused investment, the foundation of skilled, adaptable engineers is undeniably strong. Kriti’s trajectory – powered by a spark of inspiration, honed by strategic action, and sustained by adaptability – offers a compelling blueprint for the next generation navigating the exciting, demanding world of artificial intelligence. The destination isn’t just Seattle; it’s the forefront of shaping what AI becomes.