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I am continuing my interview series exploring the shifting landscape of the data science and AI skills ecosystem, bringing together perspectives from both academic research and industry practice.
In my previous conversation with Dr. Fabian Stephany from the University of Oxford, we discussed the empirical findings of his SkillScale project. His research has found that having machine learning skills results in the largest wage premium for professionals (40%), and that having verifiable certifications in your resume increases your likelihood of landing an interview by 15% in an increasingly crowded job market.
Today, I am moving from the lab to technical training that takes place on the ground with Dr. Tereza Iofciu. Tereza leads the Department for Data Science, AI Engineering, and AI Product Management at neuefische, one of Germany’s premier bootcamps for tech talent. Tereza and her team are at the forefront of developing curricula and leading the intensive training programs that equip learners and career-switchers with the technical skills required to land their next job. As they put it on their website, they “tech you to the next level.”
In this interview, we dive into the practical realities of AI skills training in the German and European job markets. Tereza shares her insights on why business acumen is now inseparable from technical depth, the challenges for jobseekers applying for junior roles, and how the rise of generative AI tools are making human relationships and accredited certifications more relevant than ever. Whether you’re a hiring manager or a jobseeker, Tereza offers a timely perspective on how maintaining a learner mindset is an effective strategy for adapting to new AI tools, the changing job market, and faster, AI-augmented delivery cycles in enterprises.
A conversation with Dr. Tereza Iofciu
Dr. Arturo Amor: Tereza, please tell me a bit about yourself and what you do at neuefische?
Dr. Tereza Iofciu: I’m currently leading the Department for Data Science, AI Engineering, and AIPM, which besides managing a fairly large teaching team, also involves teaching in bootcamps and keeping the curriculum up to date with the latest trends.
Dr. Arturo Amor: neuefische has been training and placing tech talent in Germany for years. Could you give me a sneak peak into the top trends you’ve observed with regards to how the job market and demand for technical data science and AI skills have been shifting?
Dr. Tereza Iofciu: I’ve always been a promoter of combining business acumen with data science skills. This trend seems to have become stronger now. It’s no longer enough to be technically good, you also need to build the right things. Especially now, when with the advances of Gen AI, there is an expectation that everything can be built faster. The more worrisome trend is though the disappearance of junior roles and mid level roles.
Dr. Arturo Amor: I recently spoke with Dr. Fabian Stephany from the University of Oxford, whose research shows that formal ML and AI certifications from bootcamps and trusted providers are paying off more and more. In particular, he and his team have found that:- By having general AI-related skills, professionals can earn 21% more than those who don’t have such skills. With machine learning skills, that boost reaches up to 40%.
- As generative AI makes it increasingly hard for recruiters to identify candidates with genuine skills, having certified machine learning skills in your resume increases the likelihood of landing an interview invitation by 15%.
From your vantage point working with both learners and employers, does that match what you're seeing at neuefische?
Dr. Tereza Iofciu: I’ve also observed that the job market has changed. On one side, people are struggling to find roles; and on the other side, companies are struggling to find people. When a job posting is published, it’s flooded either with AI generated applications or unrealistic expectations. Thus, it makes sense that accredited certifications start having more weight again. Similarly though candidates are faced with AI interviews... It would be cool to also have certifications for companies!
Dr. Arturo Amor: When the companies you partner with are evaluating candidates for ML or AI roles, what types of evidence of skills in resumes do they care about the most?
Dr. Tereza Iofciu: I would say the usual: technical skills, clear communication, and of course readiness to work with AI while being mindful of its limitations. Additional to this, a beginner mindset is a door opener. This is usually something quite a lot of career changers who go through bootcamps have. Plus their multidisciplinary experience.
Dr. Arturo Amor: Which ML and AI skills are you seeing the most demand for right now, and where are the sharpest gaps between what learners arrive with and what employers need?
Dr. Tereza Iofciu: This is a good question. I would say being able to do your work well. Due to AI coding tools, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep people motivated to learn first how to code, do data analysis and train models themselves. Thinking of the sharpest gap, maybe it’s the systems thinking around data and ML and AI, which makes sense as most people coming into bootcamps do come for getting applied experience in these fields.
Dr. Arturo Amor: Some job markets are known for favoring academic credentials over certifications. Do you see that calculus shifting, and if so, what's driving it?
Dr. Tereza Iofciu: It really depends on the job. R&D would still prefer academic credentials, as people are expected to work on long running research. On the other hand, industry jobs expect people to be more team and business oriented, and work in faster delivery cycles, which is what happens during all the project phases.
Dr. Arturo Amor: If you had to advise someone seeking to enter the AI job market in Germany tomorrow, what would you recommend them to do today to land their dream job?
Dr. Tereza Iofciu: Oh dear 😅 Go to meetups! Find a way to contribute to your local AI community, try to give workshops and talks. In the age of AI slop, networking has become relevant again, besides the fact that teaching helps you organize your thoughts and prepare you better for job interviews.
About Dr. Tereza Iofciu
Tereza Iofciu is a data and AI expert, leadership coach, and PSF Fellow with 15+ years of experience leading data and product teams at neuefische, FREE NOW, and New Work (XING). She helps professionals lead and adapt in the age of AI through her Data Diplomat Framework™, bridging technical depth with human leadership. Along side that she’s been volunteering in the Python Community and wore many hats over the years: PyLadies Hamburg organizer, Python Software Verband board member, NumFocus DISC Steering Committee member, various Python Software Foundation work groups and PyPodcats co-host.
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