Is Prompt Engineering a Proper Job?


BY The Silver Academy
August 5, 2024
prompting is power poster. The Silver Academy.

Prompting is power. The Silver Academy.

Twelve months ago, most people hadn’t heard of prompt engineering.

But since the recent dramatic emergence of AI, prompt engineering has emerged as a critical skill.

Particularly with the advent of large language models like ChatGPT. But is prompt engineering a real standalone job, or is it a vital skill everyone should master, irrespective of their job title?

At the moment it appears to be both.

As AI rapidly becomes integral in many sectors, the ability to craft effective prompts ensures optimal AI performance,

Making prompt engineering both a specialised job and an essential skill for anyone working with AI.

Paid how much????

According to various ‘internet’ sources, prompt engineers can earn between £70,000 to £250,000 annually, depending on experience and the specific role​ (Coursera)​​ (IBM – United States)​​ (Automate your work today | Zapier)​.

Jobs can be found on platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and specialised tech job boards.

Companies in tech, finance, healthcare, and customer service sectors are actively seeking skilled prompt engineers to enhance their AI systems on both a permanent and freelance basis.

According to eFinancialCareers, some of the highest-paying AI roles, particularly in finance, can reach up to £250,000 annually​ (eFinancialCareers)​.

Do Older People Prompt better?

Interestingly, older workers often excel as prompt engineers due to their extensive experience in diverse fields.

The ability to understand context, nuance, and the intricacies of language, often honed over years, is invaluable in crafting effective AI prompts. Older people can think beyond the OpenAI pool of knowledge which is limited.

Additionally, older individuals often bring strong problem-solving skills and a wealth of domain-specific knowledge, which are crucial in fine-tuning AI outputs.

Experienced workers also bring a well honed ‘pre existing skillset.’

For example a financial services professional or a healthcare professional can combine their highly developed ‘pre-existing’ skills with new prompt engineering skills to create a formidable hybrid skill set.

If you’re older, learning how to be a a great prompt engineer really can put you back in the driving seat of your career, or massively help you accelerate the success of your business or start up. From writing business plans to creating content and stock control systems. An experienced prompt engineer drives the bus.

Check out ‘how to get a prompt engineering job’ at www.growthmentor.com

Prompt Engineering Courses

Several courses offer comprehensive training in prompt engineering:

Coursera: Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT by Vanderbilt University covers the basics to advanced techniques.

Udemy: AI Prompt Engineering: The Zero To Hundred Masterclass provides an in-depth guide from beginner to expert levels.

Oxford Online Programme: The Oxford Artificial Intelligence Programme includes modules on AI and prompt engineering.

These courses offer structured learning paths to master the nuances of prompt engineering.

Essential Books

If you feel like ‘going analogue’ several books offer valuable insights into prompt engineering:

The Quick Guide to Prompt Engineering by Ian Khan: This book offers practical tips and techniques for various AI models.

Prompt Engineering for Generative AI by James Phoenix and Mike Taylor: A comprehensive guide on applying prompt engineering across different AI applications.

Generative AI for Dummies. Does what is says on the tin.

Why not sign up for our AI for the Wise course? Everything you need to understand to use AI at work, in partnership with General Purpose. Proven productivity gains in just three hours.

Our first course will be on the 15th November in London – more details soon.

 

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