Build an AI Portfolio Without Certification
That Gets You Hired
Certifications are not what hiring managers look for.
They want proof you can build. Here is how to create a portfolio that speaks louder than any badge.
Everyone Says Get Certified First.
But Is That Actually What Gets You Hired?
You keep hearing you need AWS, Google, or Coursera certifications before applying. It feels like an endless checkbox exercise.
You spend months collecting badges instead of building. Meanwhile, others with fewer credentials are landing AI roles.
Certification costs add up fast. You are paying thousands for pieces of paper that may not move the needle on your job search.
Your Portfolio Is Your Credential. Build It Right.
The World-Class AI Engineer Cohort
I have interviewed and hired AI engineers. I have never asked about certifications. I look at what you have built. A portfolio of deployed, production-ready AI projects proves more than any certificate ever could.
Pick High-Impact Projects
RAG systems, AI agents, deployed apps that solve real problems
Build Production-Ready
APIs, error handling, documentation. Ship like a professional.
Get Strategic Guidance
The cohort identifies which projects maximize your hire-ability
Meet Your Mentor
My aim has been the same for years: become a world-class AI engineer. Every career move I've made has been measured against that.
I started as a software tester on a $500/month internship in the Netherlands. Taught myself to code, learned to ship real systems, and worked my way to Senior Engineer at GitHub.
Then I left GitHub. I joined an AI research lab as Member of Technical Staff, where I currently build products for secure AI monitoring.
The cohort draws directly from my real experience so you can make progress fast.
I run this special cohort with only a few people because hands-on work with me is what it takes to bring you to become a world-class AI engineer.
Real Results
Vittor
AI Engineer
Built and deployed his portfolio piece, then landed the AI role
"The coaching played a huge part in my success. I focused on AI fundamentals, the certification path, and soft skills like professional writing. Having access to expert guidance gave me confidence during interviews and helped me feel I was on the right path.
I built my own platform (simple but functional) and deployed it on AWS. I used it in my portfolio and showcased it during interviews. The way complex topics were explained, especially the restaurant analogy for AI systems, really stuck with me. Focusing on doing the basics well was absolutely essential."
What You Will Get
8 Weekly Tuesday Sessions
3 hours each for 24 live hours total.
Project Scoping at Kickoff
We set the scope of what you'll ship and the milestones to get there before the live sessions start.
Code Reviews
Reviews of your code from Zen during the cohort.
Lifetime Demo Access
Every architecture demo is recorded and yours to keep.
Demo Day
You present what you built and get feedback from Zen, with a recording you can use in your portfolio.
12 Months Community Access
Included with the cohort.
Every Hour Spent on Certifications Is an Hour You Could Be Building What Actually Gets You Hired
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really get hired in AI without any certifications?
Yes. Hiring managers care about demonstrated ability, not credentials. When I review candidates, I skip the certifications section and go straight to projects and GitHub. A deployed AI application that solves a real problem carries more weight than ten certifications. The market is flooded with certified candidates who cannot build. Be the one who can.
Are AI certifications worth anything at all?
They can fill knowledge gaps, but they do not differentiate you. Every candidate has certifications now. What is rare is someone with a portfolio of deployed AI projects. If you have limited time, spend it building. If you have extra time after your portfolio is strong, certifications can supplement. They should never be your primary strategy.
How much time will this take?
You'll spend 3 hours every Tuesday in the live session and roughly 3 hours of async work in between, for 8 weeks. The Tuesday session time is fixed.
Can I do this while working full-time?
Yes, most attendees do. The live session is one Tuesday a week and the async work fits around your existing schedule, as long as you can carve out roughly 6 hours a week.
I've signed up for cohorts before and dropped out. How is this different?
It probably isn't, and you should hold the money. Most cohort dropouts are people who couldn't articulate what they were shipping when they signed up. That's why the consult exists, and why I turn down most applications. If we get on the call and you can't tell me what you'll have shipped at the end of week 8, I'll point you to the AI Native Engineer community until you can.
I'm not pivoting careers. I want to build a product. Does this still work?
Yes, the cohort works for people shipping their first serious AI system whether the goal is to land a senior role or to launch a product. The shipped system serves both equally well.
Do I need prior AI experience?
You need to be able to code in Python or TypeScript. Complete beginners can follow the classroom they get access to before the cohort sessions to come in well-prepared.
What does it cost?
It's a four-figure investment that we discuss during the 30-minute consult, alongside whether the cohort is the right fit for your project.
I accept those who have the highest chance of success.
In the 30-minute call we discuss your goals and whether you are ready for the program.