Machine Learning Engineer Seeking Advice-Exceptional Promise

Hello Everyone,

I am Selasie an ML Engineer with over 3 years experience. I won an agritech challenge in 2019 where technology coupled with agriculture was used in helping farmers reduce their feed cost. I am preparing to apply for exceptional promise endorsement as an ML Engineer. Below are my evidences for review and advice please.

Recommendation Letters

Personal Statement- 3 Pages

CV- 3 pages

Director of a CSO in Agritech 2019

COO of Fintech Company 2018

Senior Consultant in Data Engineering (UK Based) 2019

EVIDENCES

Mandatory

  • Won the Agritech Challenge (2019). Pictures and news articles
  • Developing an AI application that guides students to attain their career path (Demo). (Source code, Screenshots of app features.)
  • Built and Educational Management System (EMIS) for a school using DHIS2. (Screenshot and source code.)

Optional Criteria 2 (Impact)

  • Organise free training in ICT for Kids. (Pictures and social media links.)
  • Built and an AI system them can allow farmers detect disease of a plant on-site. (Source codes, screenshots and videos of app features.)
  • Mentored a 17-year-old high school male in building his dream app. (LinkedIn post.)

Optional Criteria 3

  • Reference letter from a training institution explaining the impact of my educational app to students in the IT sector. Co-founder
  • Reference letter from the start-up which I played a crucial role in tech to help them keep track of vital metric for their activities. COO
  • Refence letter from CEO of free ICT training NGO indicating the impact of my involvement in training.
  • Reference Letter from school on the impact of EMIS software.

Question: Is there a timeline or expiry date of which Recommendation letters and LOR should not exceed? @Francisca_Chiedu @May @ellagna @pahuja

Hi @Selasie

  • Timeline of LOR: 4-6 weeks is fine. As per the guidelines, the LOR should specifically be towards your GTV recommendation. Any letter given for a different purpose will not work here. Make sure the letter calls out that this LOR is towards your GTV application.

In addition to this, few comments on your evidence mapping:

MC

  • Ensure you include impact of all your work and not just the work you did in developing the app or building the EMS. The impact is important.
  • mention the stature of the challenge you won, selection criteria, number of applicants, etc.

OC2

  • for the training, was this a structured training through a platform which had a selection criteia for the attendees?
  • 1:1 mentioning is not counted as per guidelines.
  • same feedback as MC for the AI system: show impact.

OC3

  • only reference letters are not enough to qualify for any criteria as per guidelines
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Hello @pahuja

OC2

  • Training was structured where I played a role as a volunteer trainer.

@Selasie please match with the mentorship and training with the guidance below:

  • Evidence of mentorship must be for activity outside the applicant’s organisation or normal course of work duties and excludes mentorship of other commercial organisations as part of a commercial arrangement.

Mentorship should be on behalf of a structured programme with selection criteria and is inclusive of non-profit charities and social mentorship programmes.

You must be able to demonstrate a consistent track record of mentoring and have received recognition for your personal contribution.

Mentoring at a university or a single startup is not sufficient. When mentoring alongside other mentors (for example at a top-tier accelerator) you must have been a senior mentor that may be evidenced through a letter of reference from the programme.

Note that simply training a colleague, providing general support or advice, or advising at a company of someone you know is not considered to meet the definition of mentorship.

Thanks a lot @pahuja for the review and inputs. I really appreciate it…

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