What to do after a Math BS
I am graduating with a Math BS from UCI in a month. I have an internship in a data science role under my belt and do some undergraduate research in econometrics using machine learning. I'm trying to get a data analyst/data scientist role in LA area but not a lot is happening and I feel that I'm gonna end up in a random analyst role with 60k TC. I'm applying to masters programs in Stats (UCI, UCLA, UCB, ???) to continue down the ML route towards a DS or MLE role. But my GPA is not the best (3.4) and so my hopes aren't too crazy high. Any advice on where to go from here, what to do next? I've been considering learning more SWE skills but I enjoy DS. Edit: Also, any suggestions for Stats MS programs to apply to given the background stated would be appreciated.
Teach high school kids
This is definitely what I'm AVOIDING by asking this. 1/4 of my classmates are doing exactly that
If you're under 32 then do ms but if you're not then exp is everything
Now become an ML engineer and do some BS math.
Do a proper MS or PhD. Some companies require PhD for DS role.
There are basically no good entry level jobs in OC and LA. Look for a job basically everywhere else. Then come back to OC/LA Also the “data science has jobs jobs jerbs” is a fucking meme. It’s simply not true in the way “3-4 yoe in full stack dev has jobs jobs jobs” is.
Where do you suggest I look for entry level roles? Bay Area? If I enjoy analytics and machine learning then what careers should I be looking at/working towards?
You should be good at programming at a FAANG level. You can be okay at statistics and strong at programming and get a job much easier than being strong in statistics and okay at programming. Apply everywhere. Don’t marry yourself to OC/LA.
Doing an ms, especially if you enjoy the subject is a good idea. Give software engineering as a profession a shot