When Allison Harbin completed her doctorate in art history from Rutgers University in 2017, she never imagined she'd end up working in artificial intelligence. Yet by 2023, she found herself recruited to work on Google's Gemini chatbot project, marking the beginning of an unexpected but rewarding career change.
The Path to Prompt Engineering
Harbin's entry into AI came through an unconventional route. While working as a freelance writer and researcher in 2022, she witnessed the release of ChatGPT and its immediate impact on her work when she lost a major client. However, this setback turned into an opportunity when a recruiter approached her about contributing to Google's Gemini project, specifically focusing on writing and communication elements.
Despite lacking traditional technical credentials like a computer science degree, Harbin discovered that her skills in clear communication and effective writing were precisely what the role of prompt engineering demanded. "If you had told me five years ago that I would be working in AI, I would've been like, 'What are you talking about?'" she reflects. "The more I did it, the more I enjoyed it — it's like there's a hidden code waiting to be cracked."
Building a Career in AI
Today, at 38, Harbin works remotely from Chicago as an AI analyst and prompt engineer at a healthcare tech company, earning over $100,000 annually. Her role involves working with models like OpenAI's GPT and teaching others how to effectively use AI tools in their daily work.
To bridge any technical knowledge gaps, Harbin took a practical approach to learning. She invested in LinkedIn Learning certificates, completing courses like "Ethics in the Age of Generative AI" and "Advance Your Skills as a User Experience Researcher." However, she emphasizes that many valuable resources are available for free online, encouraging others to be proactive in their learning journey.
The Reality of Working in AI
Harbin's day-to-day work leverages her non-technical background in unexpected ways. A significant part of her role involves training others to use her team's generative AI chatbot, designed to enhance efficiency in the professional services sector. She particularly enjoys the problem-solving aspect of her work, helping people explore AI's possibilities and crafting precise prompts to achieve optimal results.
However, the role comes with its challenges. "The most challenging part of my job is managing the rapid pace of change in the field," Harbin notes. "It's like drinking from a fire hose, and that can be overwhelming at times."
Addressing Common Misconceptions
When discussing AI's impact on employment, Harbin takes a balanced view. She frequently encounters concerns about job displacement but maintains that human oversight will remain crucial for proofreading, fact-checking, and training AI systems. She emphasizes the importance of understanding AI's limitations, including potential inaccuracies and biases inherent in models trained on internet data.
Looking to the Future
Harbin's vision for AI's future balances optimism with caution. She hopes to see AI create new job opportunities rather than simply automating existing roles. However, she expresses concern about the rapid adoption of AI technologies without fully understanding their capabilities and limitations. "I hope we catch any mistakes or problems AI can create before they become too big to fix," she says.
The emergence of professionals like Harbin represents a new wave in the tech industry, where prompt engineers can command salaries up to $300,000, regardless of their technical background. While some economists debate whether this demand is temporary, others predict prompt engineering will become an essential skill for office workers. Meanwhile, Harbin continues to demonstrate how diverse backgrounds can contribute to shaping AI's future.