Facebook DS product analytics. What am I getting myself into?
I’m preparing for the technical interview for a Data scientist role at FB (Product analytics). Dont know what team yet, but the recruiter says this will be determined at “Bootcamp.” I went throught a lot of posts on Blind and online, and I have a general sense of the role, but would like clarification on the job itself (among other things). Would appreciate greatly to anyone that’s willing to elaborate. Q1 I know DS at FB is “analytics” focused and some people here refer to them as “glorified analysts” or “SQL Monkeys...”. However, is the role absolutely 0% models and algorithms, even for the sake of analytics? For example, in my role, I dont do any model deployment, but the problems I get are open ended enough that if needed, I can do a logistic regression, GBM, or clustering/PCA. Nothing gets deployed, but it’s used to understand our data/customers and that can help infer decisions. Will there be any opportunity for that type of analytics, and if so, how often? I know FB DS is all about A/B testing and experimental design, which I would like to get experience on.....but if I dont have any opportunity to do any modelling work, I need to think about the tradeoffs. Q2. If zero modelling is done, then what is Python/R used for (since the recruiter asked about it)? Q3 When the recruiter reached out to me, she was telling me about a “Senior” Data scientist role. Would this be E4? E5? what’s the expected base pay and TC? Q4. How is career development at FB? Do they encourage moving around teams, or is it even possible to move to the engineering side (Core DS) if that is a long term goal? Q5. How does “Bootcamp” work and is it just the same work but in different product? i,e Once I join, it’s gonna be A/B testing no matter which team I go to, but it maybe FB vs instagram, vs whatsapp Q6. I know there has been comments about WLB, but would definilty like to hear additional insight from others if possible. Is it team specific? culture? Q7. lastly, any suggestions or things to prepare for would be appreciated! YOE: 5 TC: 130
Actually, though. You could spend some time paring this down. As far as I understand, DS at FB is so really wide in terms of topics. Product analytics, as the name implies, is likely devoid of modeling and algos. Yes they will test you on it. Why? Because standards are good when they don't know what team they wanna stick you on yet. Senior DS is IC5 if i'm not mistaken. Check levels.fyi for the salary info.
Q1: yes lots of people do stuff similar to what you’re doing now. “Understand” work is an important part of the job. Q2: see Q1 + Python is also used for pipelines Q3: IC5, aim for 180 base. Idk about rsu initial grant. I came in lower but as 5 my tc is 300+ Q4: moving is very common and flexible. With how big the company is it’s easy to feel like you’re joining a new company but you have all the same tools. Moving to a new role is possible, but it’s more likely to be to Eng, DE, or PM. Core ds is not engineering though the pay is the same. Do you have a PhD? If you don’t it’s unlikely you can make it to core DS. I know a few who have made the switch though. Q5: it’s easy going. Basically teach you internal tools and what being a ds at Fb is about. Q6: it’s person specific. Always things to do at FB. Focus on what is most impactful in 40hr and you’ll be fine. Q7: follow all the guidance the recruiters gives you.
This is really helpful. Thank you!
Yes you can do as much modeling as you want as long as you can explain it to your stakeholders in a way they can understand
That is great. I think I was more just curious about the general usage of Modelling in these teams. For example, if everyone is busy doing excel/vba/sql pulls and I’m the only one here dorking around with random forests, it may not be good....but if the team in general embraces these techniques and everyone is learning and experimenting with them to drive insights, it sounds like a really good fit for me! My background is not ML so it will be great to learn from others in my team
Question for you: Do you have a graduate degree? If so, what is it in? Thanks!
Finishing up a MS in DS. Why do you ask?
Thanks Liberty, I want to work as a data scientist but from my research, it looks like I need a Master's degree to work at the good companies. I'm a data analyst right now with 3.5 yrs exp
Mid/late Jan
How did it go?
Too much text to read
appreciate ya