How a gift from my father changed my career—and led me into AI engineering

Ned Krastev Ned Krastev 16 Dec 2025 2 min read

Three years ago, I was working in a vinyl records shop.

I loved the music, the people, and the atmosphere. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t where I wanted to stay long-term. I wanted a career that challenged me, gave me room to grow, and allowed me to build something meaningful.

At the time, I didn’t yet know what that path would look like. Then my father gave me a gift that changed everything.

📖 Hint: A lifetime AI and data learning pass with permanent access to premium courses and certificates. Learn more.

 

A gift that didn’t look like a career move.

For my birthday, my father surprised me with a subscription to 365 Data Science. He knew I was curious about technology and had mentioned AI more than once, but I don’t think either of us fully realized what that gift would turn into.

At first, it felt overwhelming.

AI, data, cloud technologies—these were words I associated with engineers, not someone working retail. I had no technical background and no clear plan. But I decided to give it a try.

That decision changed my life.

Learning step by step

What immediately stood out about 365 Data Science was the structure of the curriculum.

Instead of throwing advanced topics at you, it starts from the fundamentals and builds up gradually. Concepts that once sounded intimidating suddenly became understandable. I could finally see how data, AI, and cloud technologies fit together.

The courses didn’t just explain what to do—they explained why things worked the way they did.

That made all the difference.

Get a gift voucher for your loved ones this Christmas.

From curiosity to commitment

As I progressed, my curiosity turned into commitment. I started dedicating more and more time to learning. I followed the structured learning paths, completed exercises, and spent hours working on hands-on projects.

Those projects were critical.

They helped me apply what I was learning in realistic scenarios—not just theoretical examples. I was writing code, working with datasets, and building systems that resembled real-world applications.

Slowly, I began to see myself differently.
Not as someone “trying tech,” but as someone building technical skills.

Landing my first AI role

About 12 months after I started learning with 365 Data Science, I landed my first job as an AI Engineer.

It still feels surreal to say that.

Today, I work for a company that helps other businesses integrate AI into their products and services. Every day, I apply the skills I started building on the platform—from data handling and model thinking to cloud fundamentals and system design.

And the learning hasn’t stopped.

A field that never stands still

AI evolves constantly. New tools, new architectures, new expectations. That’s why continued upskilling is part of my job. I regularly return to 365 Data Science to learn new concepts, refresh existing skills, and stay current as the field changes.

The platform hasn’t just helped me start my career—it’s helping me sustain and grow it.

The most impactful gift I’ve ever received

Looking back, that subscription was more than a present.

It was an opportunity.
A vote of confidence.
A door I didn’t know how to open myself.

Out of all the gifts I’ve received, this one has had the biggest impact on my life.

It didn’t just teach me AI and data skills.
It gave me a future I hadn’t imagined yet.

👉 Explore Lifetime Access to 365 Data Science.

Ned Krastev

Ned Krastev

Co-founder of 365 Company

Ned is a Master of Finance at Bocconi University with years of advisory experience in some of the world’s top international enterprises. A visionary and co-founder of 365 Data Science, he has helped thousands of students gain competitive advantage through his courses Introduction to Excel, Advanced Microsoft Excel, Data Analysis with Excel Pivot Tables, Python for Finance, and Introduction to Tableau.

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