Princeton PhD trains models for Mercor as a side gig amid brutal job market

paulnovosad · x · 2026-10-19

Economist Paul Novosad highlights an article about a side gig training models for Mercor, calling it unbeatable clickbait. The subject: a Princeton chemical engineering PhD who builds electronics in his spare time and keeps applying to more jobs on his breaks — and still can't land a full-time role. "If this guy can't get a job, none of you will, ever again!"

Related event: Princeton PhD Sent 2,300 Applications Without a Job, Reigniting Entry-Level Debate(5 posts)→

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