How to become a prompt engineer

Prompt engineers are at the cutting edge of generative artificial intelligence (AI). The job consists of crafting prompts for large language models and perfecting their responses. Discover how to become a prompt engineer and what to expect from the role.

What does a prompt engineer do?

Prompt engineers use plain language, rather than coding, to communicate with large language models such as ChatGPT or Bard. They are experts at creating prompts that are difficult for the model and noting its responses.

Depending on the specifics of the position, you may be required to rewrite the responses, ask the same question in different ways, or even embed prompts in software programs or apps.

Prompt engineers fall into the general category of computer and information research scientists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for computer and information research scientists is $145,080 as of May 2023.

Steps to become a prompt engineer

Prompt engineering is a new and rapidly evolving field, so there is no single path to starting your career. However, you can potentially increase your odds of success by following these basic steps.

Step 1: Earn a bachelor's degree

Prompt engineering generally requires a bachelor's degree. However, a computer science degree is not typically essential.

Instead, prompt engineers often hold degrees in psychology or a writing-heavy humanities field such as history. You can supplement your credentials with individual courses or a certificate in prompt engineering.

Step 2: Build your skills

Regardless of your educational background, you need a variety of skills to be a successful prompt engineer:

• Writing
• User psychology
• Prompting techniques
• Large language models
• Machine learning

You can develop these skills in many ways. Online courses and personal experimentation with publicly available chatbots are among the most common options. As your skills develop, be sure to highlight them on your résumé.

Step 3: Think outside the box

Since prompt engineering is such a new field, job listings may not always use that exact title. Search more broadly for jobs in AI or machine learning, and then carefully study the job description to determine if it is the right fit.

Also note that this role is sometimes rolled into another job title, such as content creator or SEO specialist. In these cases, ensure that you have the needed skills and experience for the entire role, not just the prompt engineering piece of it.

Step 4: Consider a master's degree in artificial intelligence

The field of AI is constantly growing and evolving. To establish a stable, long-term career in prompt engineering, you might consider future-proofing your skills as much as possible.

An optional online master's degree in artificial intelligence can help you expand your skill set and increase your knowledge in this field.

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