I started doing NLP in 2014. First, I was using SVM and feature vectors, then word embeddings, then handcrafted neural network models, then fine-tuning transformer encoders, then working with LLMs. In that time I worked with huge number of technologies, libraries, and algorithms. A hiring manager recently asked me what my experience with AI agents are, and I had to say that it's basically zero.

Okay, he was obviously very new to the field and had no idea, but it illustrates how the field progressed in the past 10 years, and a person who is just joining has very similar starting line to old-timers. The breadth of knowledge I have is of course extremely useful and I am able to get new concepts really fast, as there are many similarities. But the market in general does not care that much really.