Beyond technical skills, Break Through Tech’s AI Program provided Linn Khant Thuya with invaluable mentorship.
Published
04/21/2025
For Linn Khant Thuya, a Computer Science student at Pasadena City College, the journey into artificial intelligence was not something he initially envisioned. However, through Break Through Tech’s AI Program in Los Angeles, he discovered a passion for machine learning that is now shaping his career in unexpected and exciting ways.
Discovering Break Through Tech’s AI Program
Linn first learned about the AI Program through LinkedIn and a networking event at his school. Intrigued by the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with AI while learning from experts at an established university, he eagerly applied. What stood out to him was the program’s emphasis on mentorship, professional development, and the real-world applications of AI.
“I was drawn to Break Through Tech because it offers a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts, while gaining hands-on experience through AI Studios. The mentorship and professional development opportunities were also a huge factor in my decision to join.”
A Career-Changing Experience
Before joining the program, Linn had little experience working with data or machine learning. Now, thanks to the exposure and skills he gained through Break Through Tech, he is preparing for an internship where he will primarily focus on machine learning tasks.
“This program completely changed my career path. I had never dealt with data or ML before, but now I see a future in it. I even landed an internship at a major organization where I’ll be working on machine learning!”
Creating Impact Through AI
One of Linn’s most memorable experiences in the program was working on his AI Studio project with Brightside Health, a telemental health company. His team developed a tool to help mental health providers make informed treatment decisions for anxiety and depression based on clinical research. Linn played a key role in the project, writing a script that extracted and visualized relationships from clinical research papers using OpenAI’s GPT-4 and PyVis to create interactive knowledge graphs.
“Being part of the Fall AI Studio team was an amazing experience. I got to collaborate with people with different strengths and build something meaningful for mental health providers.”
Guidance and Mentorship
Beyond technical skills, Break Through Tech’s AI Program provided Linn with invaluable mentorship. He credits his internship mentor, Jeonghoon Kim, for helping him prepare for his career by setting up mock interviews and providing ongoing guidance.
“Jeonghoon Kim played a huge role in my journey. He set up mock interviews for me whenever I had interviews with companies, and I learned so much from him.”
Advice for Future Fellows
For students considering Break Through Tech’s AI Program, Linn has one piece of advice: seize the opportunity.
“This program will help you grow both as a student and a professional. You’ll get hands-on experience and make connections with professionals who can open doors for you. Plus, you’ll meet peers who are on the same journey, which is incredibly valuable.”
Resilience and Passion for Tech
Linn attributes much of his success to resilience—a quality he considers his superpower. “No matter the obstacles, rejections, or failures I face, I do my best to keep going. With strategy, hard work, and patience, I believe that progress will come, slowly but surely.”
Inspired by Harvard’s CS50 instructor, David J. Malan, Linn’s passion for technology continues to grow. When he’s not immersed in AI, he enjoys playing soccer and weightlifting, balancing his academic and professional pursuits with an active lifestyle.
With his dedication to learning and drive to push boundaries in AI, Linn Khant Thuya is well on his way to making an impact in the tech industry. Follow his journey on LinkedIn.