A Wake Up Call for AI / Computer Science Students (Ex-Meta Manager)

Sponsored by Zapier! Zapier SDK levels you up, letting you build custom, code-based automations directly in your code editor. Start coding with Zapier SDK: https://bit.ly/46KLuUL If you're a computer science student, this is a wake-up call. The job market is tougher than ever, and the rise of artificial intelligence has changed the game completely. As a former hiring manager at companies like Meta, I can tell you that your computer science degree, while important, isn't what ultimately gets you hired. There's a huge gap between what universities teach in computer science and what companies are actually looking for. Understanding this gap is the key to building a successful career in tech. This video breaks down the critical mistakes every computer science student makes. We'll cover the difference between computer science and engineering, why your major (CS vs. AI) matters less than you think, and what 'building a project' truly means to a hiring manager. The most important advice is to focus on creating proof of your skills through real-world impact and internships. Stop collecting knowledge and start creating proof that you can solve real problems, because that's what will make you stand out in the age of artificial intelligence. 📎 Resources: ============== ✅ FREE AI Engineer Roadmap https://exaltitude.substack.com/p/the-ai-engineer-roadmap-2026 ✅ The Ultimate Resume Handbook https://www.exaltitude.io/resume-handbook?utm_source=youtube ✅ FREE ATS-Friendly Resume Template https://exaltitude.substack.com/p/jeans-ultimate-ats-friendly-resume ✅ All my resources https://www.exaltitude.io/job-seekers?utm_source=youtube 🎙️More on YouTube related to this episode: ======================== Should You Still Become a Software Engineer in 2026? GitHub VP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6aOdLlEz1w Don't choose the Wrong AI Career in 2026 [Tier List] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBhAVL4tz14 The Highest Paying Jobs In The Age of AI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R3aud5anSM WTF Is Happening to Remote Jobs in Tech? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XTgsjeZqnU A practical Guide To Becoming An AI Engineer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAOIlkr0aVk ⭐️About me ======================== I’m Jean Lee. I was the 19th engineer at WhatsApp and engineering manager at Meta with 20+ years in tech. Today, I help professionals understand how AI is changing careers, industries, and the future of work. 📣✨Connect with me ======================== 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanklee/ ✉️ Newsletter: https://exaltitude.substack.com/ 🌸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanexplains/ I give advice for navigating your engineering career journey successfully. ⏱️Timestamp: ============== 00:00 AI Computer Science Students 00:36 The Two-Resume Problem 02:24 Computer Science vs. Engineering 03:40 CS vs. AI 05:00 The "More is Better" Trap 05:58 What "Building a Project" Actually Means 08:45 My Favorite Interview Question 10:26 Use Your University's System 12:24 Most Important Advice: Get an Internship Credits ======================== 🎵Music: Anno Domini Beats - Like That from YouTube Creator Music 🖼️ All images, graphics, and b-roll videos used in this video were sourced from Canva. I may earn a small commission for purchases made through affiliate links on this website. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Your support helps me continue creating content for you.