This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Krystal Cano, a former tech recruiter who upskilled in AI while recovering from a car crash. Her past employment and enrollment at MIT have been verified. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Contents
Choosing to Take a Break
I was laid off from my job as a senior technical sourcer at DoorDash in August 2022 and decided to take a break. Supporting people in tech who lost their jobs during mass layoffs and caring for my mom, who was battling cancer, had been quite difficult.
Once she recovered, I knew it was high time to look after myself. I unplugged, traveling to El Salvador, Miami, and Aruba for a few months.
The Car Crash That Shattered My World
When I returned home to Orange County, California, in March last year, I was in a nasty car crash. Driving on the freeway, a speeding car rear-ended me. The incident left me shocked but thankful to be alive.
The following morning, my body was awash with pain. I couldn’t walk for three weeks and had numerous injuries. Losing my independence and relying on others was tough. For two months, I barely left my house and battled depression.
I sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in my knee. My chiropractor told me it would take a year to recover. Hearing that made me feel hopeless.
However, I had savings and chose to focus on recovery and upskilling instead of plunging back into work. I fully recovered this summer.
Discovering AI through Webinars
During my recovery, I thought of Kobe Bryant’s "Mamba mentality,". Despite his knee injury in the NBA, he pushed through it and came back stronger. Inspired, I began watching webinars on AI to prepare for future work.
I signed up for LinkedIn Learning courses and attended AI conferences. I embraced every AI resource I could find. "What can I do now to help me have a stronger foundation?" I often pondered.
The Apple Manager’s Words of Wisdom
I recalled a conversation with an Apple manager. He mentioned, "It’s harder to get into Apple than it is to get into MIT or Harvard. But you’ll be hiring all the Harvard/MIT people, and to get in, they’ll have to go through you."
That sparked an idea: what AI programs do those prestigious institutions offer? I decided to apply for MIT’s professional certificate program in innovation and technology.
Getting onto an MIT Program
When I learned I had been accepted into the program in June, I started crying. It was indeed a dream come true. The course requires students to complete 16 or more days of "short programs" at MIT over three years. I funded the programme from my savings.
Embarking on the course in July, I aim to use the knowledge gained from MIT to build a career coaching business. This business will leverage AI and neuropsychology to aid individuals in upskilling.
Meanwhile, I’ve also applied for AI recruiter roles. Hopefully, I can work, support myself, study, and build my business concurrently.
A Blessing in Disguise
Had it not been for losing my job and the car crash, I doubt I would have reached this point of strength in my life. Resilience and pursuing my goals amid adversity have truly paid off.
I’m grateful for enduring that dark period, painful as it was. It’s helped me realize my professional aspirations and turn my experiences into something positive.
Summary Table
| Event | Outcome/Action |
|---|---|
| Laid off from DoorDash | Took a break, cared for mom, traveled |
| Car crash in March | Painful injuries, couldn’t walk, experienced depression |
| ACL injury diagnosis | Focused on recovery, physical therapy, acupuncture |
| Inspiration from Kobe Bryant | Started AI webinars, LinkedIn courses, attended conferences |
| Conversation with Apple Manager | Decided to apply for MIT AI program |
| Accepted into MIT program | Plans to build a career coaching business using AI |
In the end, embracing the resilience learned from Kobe Bryant, and leveraging the downtime to skill up in AI, has set me on a path where I feel stronger than ever.
