#003 - Transitioning to a higher-impact career with Soroush Pour

Engineered for Impact

Soroush is an engineer and entrepreneur who, at the time of this recording, is on sabbatical from his role as head of Special Projects at Vow to investigate the safe and beneficial development of artificial general intelligence.

In this episode

• Soroush’s journey from fintech to the cultivated meat industry
• Embracing continuous learning and challenging assumptions
• Building support by involving others in your journey
• Maximising learning and progress through research synthesis and showcasing your work
• Being an ambitious agent for change — “blowing up the bioreactor”
• The role of industry in innovation
• Alternative proteins and the role of engineers
• Tips for mid-career professionals to succeed in dynamic industries
• The importance of developing your own perspective on challenging problems

Full show notes: http://engineeredforimpact.show/soroush

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WpWX9S4p6r8
Timestamps

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:21) Soroush's journey

(00:12:12) The mindset for career change

(00:22:33) Planning for a career change

(00:25:59) Showing your work

(00:33:05) Patience, embracing failure, and impact

(00:36:45) Role of industry in innovation

(00:43:46) Engineers in alternative protein

(00:54:59) North Star for career decisions

(00:57:18) Personal capacity for impact

(00:59:03) AI safety

(01:04:32) Developing your perspective

(01:07:54) Self-imposed limitations

(01:09:20) What do you wish you had invented?

(01:10:58) Getting in contact

(01:11:53) Outro

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Engineered for Impact
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@engineeredforimpact
Show notes: http://engineeredforimpact.show/
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Chapters

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Soroush's journey (00:01:21)

3. The mindset for career change (00:12:12)

4. Planning for a career change (00:22:33)

5. Showing your work (00:25:59)

6. Patience, embracing failure, and impact (00:33:05)

7. Role of industry in innovation (00:36:45)

8. Engineers in alternative protein (00:43:46)

9. North star for career decisions (00:54:59)

10. Personal capacity for impact (00:57:18)

11. AI safety (00:59:03)

12. Developing your perspective (01:04:32)

13. Self-imposed limitations (01:07:54)

14. What do you wish you had invented? (01:09:20)

15. Getting in contact (01:10:58)

16. Outro (01:11:53)