SLU-Madrid Alumnus Ronny Nehme Returns to Campus to Discuss Job Market and AI
In his "Uncertainty, Risk and Reinvention: From Graduate Doubt to Building in AI," Saint Louis University-Madrid graduate Ronny Nehme (Political Science, '18) explained how to navigate the current job market.
Nehme, originally from Lebanon, spoke about challenges he encountered when looking for work in Spain as a non-EU passport holder. He credited his time at a tech-related internship and master's degree to getting him in the same room with his now professional network.
"Opportunities will arise. Luck and timing are extremely important factors," he said. "The main things that are in your control, which is what you want to focus on — positioning yourself where opportunities can find you."
Although Nehme graduated from SLU-Madrid with a B.A. in political science, he found himself surrounded by software developers and AI enthusiasts. He dedicated his time to learning code and machine-learning topics, later explaining that a SLU-Madrid education taught him "the ability to learn new things.
"That's the beautiful thing about this industry. What matters is what you have to show. It doesn't matter what credentials you have. You could have the fanciest degree, but if you haven't built anything – and you don't have a portfolio of projects you've worked on — it means nothing," Nehme said.
Nehme is currently focused on an AI solution for rehab clinics called RenovAI. He and his co-founders have identified a need among mental health professionals to better track their patients' progress.
Nehme emphasized RenovAI's commitment to privacy and an ethical use of artificial intelligence, calling it a "proactive care for rehabilitation centers."