1-on-1 AI Career Coaching:
Your Fastest Path to AI

Generic courses teach everyone the same thing. 1:1 coaching focuses on YOUR gaps,
YOUR goals, and YOUR timeline. That's why it works.

AI Native Engineer Community Access

Generic Learning Paths Keep You Stuck.

You've tried courses, tutorials, and bootcamps. Same generic content, no real progress toward your goals.

No feedback on what YOU specifically need to work on. You're guessing at your own skill gaps.

Feeling stuck and unsure if you're even on the right track. Months pass with nothing to show for it.

Personalized Coaching Accelerates Everything.

The AI Career Accelerator

1:1 coaching means someone who hires AI engineers looks at YOUR background, identifies YOUR gaps, and builds a roadmap specifically for YOU. No wasted time on content you don't need.

1

Personal Assessment

We analyze your background, skills, and goals

2

Custom Roadmap

A learning path built specifically for your situation

3

Ongoing Guidance

Weekly calls, feedback, and accountability to keep you moving

Meet Your Mentor

Zen van Riel

When I started in tech, I was based in the Netherlands with no connections and only thousands of video game hours under my belt. Not exactly the ideal starting point.

My first tech job was software tester. One of the most junior roles you can start with. I was just happy someone took a chance on me.

I kept learning. Kept pivoting. But what actually accelerated my career wasn't more certifications or more code. It was learning to solve problems that matter and proving beyond a doubt that what I built solved real problems. That's the skill that stays future-proof, even with AI.

I've since worked remotely for international software companies throughout my career. Proof that the high-paid remote path is possible for anyone with the right skills and motivation. In the end, I went from a $500/month internship to 6 figures as a Senior AI Engineer at GitHub.

Now I teach over 22,000 engineers on YouTube. Becoming an AI-Native Engineer is a system I lived through and offer to you today.

Career progression from Intern to Senior Engineer

Real Results

Vittor

Vittor

AI Engineer

Landed his first AI Engineering role in 3 months

"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

Personalized Roadmap & Career Strategy

A custom plan tailored to your background, goals, and timeline. No generic advice.

Weekly 1:1 Coaching Calls

Direct access to Zen for guidance, project feedback, and answers to your questions.

Portfolio-Ready AI Projects

Build production-grade AI applications to showcase to employers. Work that gets you hired.

Interview Prep & Mock Interviews

Practice technical and behavioral interviews. Learn what hiring managers look for.

Resume & LinkedIn Optimization

Transform your online presence to attract recruiters. Stand out from other applicants.

Community Career Support

Join the AI Native Engineer community. Not seeing results yet? You stay and keep going. We're with you through the ups and downs.

Limited Availability

Every Month Without Direction Is a Month Wasted

Every month you delay can cost you thousands in lost earning potential. While you're watching tutorials, others are landing $120K+ AI Engineering roles.

I can only work with a limited number of 1:1 clients at a time to ensure you get the personalized attention you deserve.

$120K+
Average AI Engineer Salary
Source: levels.fyi
90 Days
To Guaranteed Interviews
20%+
Higher Pay Than Traditional Devs

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 1:1 coaching more effective than courses?

Courses teach everyone the same material regardless of background. A software engineer and a data analyst have completely different skill gaps, yet courses treat them identically. 1:1 coaching identifies exactly what YOU need to learn, skips what you already know, and focuses your time on high-impact skills. This personalization typically cuts the learning timeline in half.

How is this different from online courses?

Online courses give you content. 1:1 coaching gives you a personalized roadmap, direct feedback on your work, career strategy, interview prep, and accountability. You get answers to your specific questions and guidance tailored to your unique situation instead of generic advice meant for everyone.

What does 1:1 AI career coaching include?

My coaching includes: weekly 1-hour video calls for personalized guidance, a custom learning roadmap based on your background and goals, portfolio project direction so you build things that impress hiring managers, resume and LinkedIn optimization for AI roles, interview preparation including mock technical interviews, and async support between sessions when you get stuck.

How much time do I need to commit?

Most clients invest 10-15 hours per week, but this can be flexible based on your schedule. We'll have weekly 1:1 calls plus time for you to work on projects and learning. The key is consistency. Regular, focused effort beats occasional marathons.

Do I need prior AI experience?

Not necessarily. While some programming experience is helpful, many of my clients have successfully transitioned from web development, data science, or other technical backgrounds. We'll assess your current skills during our strategy call and create a personalized plan that meets you where you are.

What's the investment for 1:1 coaching?

Investment details are discussed during the 30-minute strategy call, where we'll assess your goals and create a custom plan. The program is designed to pay for itself quickly through your increased salary. Most AI engineers see a 20-50% pay increase.

What if I don't land interviews in 90 days?

You become a member of the AI Native Engineer community, and you stay and keep going. Career transitions take different amounts of time for everyone, and I'm not going to abandon you if things take longer. You get ongoing support through good times and bad.

Can I do this while working full-time?

Absolutely. Most of my clients work full-time and make steady progress. We'll schedule calls at times that work for you and create a realistic plan that fits your schedule. Consistency matters more than intensity.

How is this different from an AI bootcamp?

Bootcamps cost $10K-$17K and take 12-26 weeks with a fixed curriculum designed for beginners. 1:1 coaching costs $3K-$6K, takes 8-12 weeks, and focuses only on what YOU need. If you already code, bootcamps waste your time on basics. Coaching leverages your existing skills and gets you job-ready faster.

How does the accountability aspect work?

Self-study fails because there's no consequence for skipping a day, week, or month. With 1:1 coaching, you have weekly calls where we review your progress and set goals for the next week. You're accountable to someone who knows your situation and will call you out if you're not putting in the work. This structure is why coaching clients finish, while 85% of course buyers never complete.

Ready to Land Your AI Role?

Stop watching others succeed. Start building your AI career today.

30-minute strategy call • Limited spots available