switch from DS to MLE/SWE

Jun 5, 2020 8 Comments

looking to switch to Swe/mle

4 yoe with 3 year devloping models (under DA title), 1 year analytics

math/stats background, master degree

what i will do:
- leet code
- coursera algorithm class

- would these prep be enough to swtich?
- is it necessary to get a cs master degree?
- will i have to start as entry level engineer? -any example happened at facebook internally?
- anything i miss here?

reason why switch:
enjoying building more than analyzing

tc 200k
#swe #mle#leetcode#changecareer

comments

Want to comment? LOG IN or SIGN UP
TOP 8 Comments
  • Google
    mooogle

    Go to company page Google

    mooogle
    I started seeing this tendency recently. Those ppl I know who switched from DS to SWE didn’t go for a degree for the change. I don’t think degree is necessary. Do leetcode and learn algorithms.
    Internal transfer is the best way to switch roles, but I don’t know how Facebook works. If you change a company to fresh start as SWE, you will be probably downleveled and receive less TC.
    Jun 5, 2020 3
    • OP
      thank you both! @catalyze even changing career ladder internally is easy as long as meets expectations?do you happen to know how much would down level be? my understanding is internal transfer usually have less $$ than changing company. if i choose the route of mle instead of swe in another company, is it more likely to be not considered as ‘fresh’ start?
      Jun 5, 2020
    • Scribd
      catalyze

      Go to company page Scribd

      catalyze
      1. If you perform well in the internal interview (which shouldn't be hard if you just LC), you will just be side leveled (ex IC4 to E4). FB values keeping their employees so if you want to transfer it's very easy
      2. Yes, internal transfers will always make less, but you don't have any swe experience. So you'll be at a disadvantage recruiting externally, especially in this market. Finally, FB pays at the top of the band anyway, so your transfer offer > a poach offer from a stingier company like AMZN or MSFT.
      3. People interested in MLE roles are high while the position itself is low in supply. Breaking in is hard, but is that's the route you're interested in, I'd encourage first holding that job title at fb. Then it will be much easier for you to bounce comps and get higher TC while preserving the title
      Jun 5, 2020
  • Isn’t data science / applied science a higher paying field? Why switch, in my experience your area is better off than mine.
    Jun 5, 2020 2
    • Scribd
      catalyze

      Go to company page Scribd

      catalyze
      Actually data scientists get paid noticeably less than swe. The exceptions are the people who build and deploy algorithms (mle) and the people who do theoretical research and publish papers (research scientists)
      Jun 5, 2020
    • I personally think only the ones “who build and deploy algorithms (mle) “ and research scientists who actually build model into real business products are valuable. They are actually solving problems. if you cannot even deploy your model into a real production system, how can I know you are making impacts or just talking shit?
      Jun 5, 2020
  • follow
    Jun 5, 2020 0