Services
$300 / month
Start free, decide later
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1
Free intro call
No card needed to book. -
2
Ongoing calls + chat
2 calls per month, unlimited Q&A. Replies in 2 days. -
3
No lock-in
Month to month, no contract.
MentorCruise summary
Sara is an AI Applied Scientist at Microsoft. She has more than 10 years of experience in data analytics and AI, along with a Master’s and Ph.D. in Engineering. She helps people build portfolio projects, master data science and machine learning concepts, and apply those skills in research or industry roles.
Based on 40 verified mentee reviews
- Reviewers often praise her practical guidance for building and completing AI projects, including RAG systems and retrieval mechanisms.
- Several reviewers credit her support with helping them prepare for career changes, interviews, and new data science roles.
- Mentees value her patient, responsive style and grounded advice on career plans.
About
Hello! I’m an Electrical Engineer with over 10 years of experience in data analytics and AI. I hold both a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Engineering, which have shaped my deep technical foundation.
Currently, I work at Microsoft, specializing in Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), and copilots within the M365 ecosystem, following a tenure at Microsoft Research. My work blends research and engineering, from evaluating AI models to building impactful, real-world solutions, work that has led to multiple patents and publications.
Over the past 6 years, I’ve mentored 300+ students through MentorCruise, Udacity, and Data Science Dojo, helping them go from fundamentals in Data Science and Machine Learning to confidently applying those skills in projects, research, and industry roles. I’ve also consulted for companies like Shell, Fastshop, Symrise, and Petrobras on advanced AI and ML initiatives, giving me a strong perspective on what works in practice.
If you’re looking to strengthen your skills in DS, ML, or Generative AI, whether you’re a student, career-switcher, or working professional, I can help you create a personalized learning plan, master technical concepts, and build portfolio projects that stand out. Let’s connect on LinkedIn or send me a message here so we can start mapping your next step.
Looking forward to chatting!
Check out my website for more information: https://saramalvar.github.io/
What mentees say
5 out of 5 stars
Sara is a wonderful mentor! I came to her recently when I was at a crossroads in my career. I was struggling with my next steps post-PhD, and she was kind enough to listen to my entire story. After hearing about what the issues were, she offered very grounded advice - without sugarcoating anything, but in a kind and relatable way. I highly recommend meeting with her if you also require career guidance, or simply a reality check about the market and where things stand.
Saptarshi
Session: 30-min Ask Me Anythin…
Thank you, Saptarshi! This one meant a lot to me. I've been at a similar crossroads myself, and I remember how disorienting it is: you've spent years going deep on one thing, and suddenly nobody can tell you what it's worth. What I mostly got at the time was reassurance, when what I actually needed was someone to tell me how things really work. So I'm glad the honest version was useful to you. Whatever you choose next, you're asking the right questions. Please keep me posted, I'd genuinely like to know how it turns out.
Sara's response
5 out of 5 stars
It is difficult to say something good about Sara Malvar that has not already been said. I just say that, if you are going to give Mentor Cruise a try, I recommend Sara without hesitation.
Irvin
Standard Plan • 1 month
5 out of 5 stars
Sara is very knowledgeable and supportive. We discussed a wide range of topics, including computer vision, quantization, multimodal models, agentic AI, MLOps, and open-source software development. I initially reached out to Sara because I was looking to build a portfolio to help me transition into an AI/ML career and was still brainstorming project ideas. She was quickly able to provide feedback and share resources that helped me refine those ideas into concrete projects I could build. During our calls, I would walk through my projects, and she would share actionable guidance on how to present my work more effectively and what additions could help it stand out. Her feedback went beyond the code itself, including best practices for collaborating on open-source projects. In addition to the excellent technical insight Sara brings, she is very patient and attentive. She consistently helped me calibrate where to focus and how deeply to invest in topics so I could make efficient progress toward my goals. I would strongly recommend Sara to anyone looking for practical technical mentorship and career guidance, especially those building a portfolio for AI/ML roles.
Oscar
Standard Plan • 2 years
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback, Oscar! I really enjoyed our interactions and our discussions across such a broad range of AI/ML topics. Beyond sharing knowledge, I also learned a lot from you through our conversations, your projects, and the perspectives you brought to each discussion. It was rewarding to see your ideas evolve into concrete projects and to support your journey toward an AI/ML career. I appreciate your dedication, curiosity, and willingness to continuously learn and improve. Wishing you continued success, and I'm excited to see what you accomplish next!
Sara's response
What happens when you start
You tell Sara your goals. They see exactly what you want to work on before session one.
You meet within days. Sara reviews your application and books your first session, usually within a day or two.
You leave with a plan. Concrete next steps and a weekly rhythm from your very first week.
