PhDs from non-traditional fields in SWE, how are you doing?

Apple
hokalot

Go to company page Apple

hokalot
Jan 28 13 Comments

By non-traditional fields , I mean fields other than CS, EE and applied math that directly carries over to CS.

If you are from such a field, how are you doing as a SWE? Any particular difficulties in terms of promotions, job switching etc.,? What was your PhD in and how did you transition to SWE?

I have a PhD in chemistry and I leetcoded my way into apple. I am doing alright so far but is iketimes feel I am behind in fundamental concepts etc.,

TC: 380k

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TOP 13 Comments
  • Intel
    rfysh

    Go to company page Intel

    rfysh
    Wow, you are my hero! How long did you LC to pass apple interview?
    Jan 28 3
    • New
      baby_area

      New

      baby_area
      Did you know any language/framework before? It's pretty cool that you could get that TC with only 200 LC problems
      Jan 28
    • Apple
      hokalot

      Go to company page Apple

      hokalot
      OP
      Python pretty much and no framework per se. I learnt on the job
      Jan 28
  • New
    baby_area

    New

    baby_area
    Congrats! Did you have any previous experience?
    Jan 28 3
    • New
      baby_area

      New

      baby_area
      How did you get an interview? And are you enjoying the work at all?
      Jan 28
    • Apple
      hokalot

      Go to company page Apple

      hokalot
      OP
      I went through insight data science a couple of years ago which is a 2 month fellowship that gets your foot in the industry door.

      Work is meh.. better than a post doc though lol
      Jan 28
  • Google
    GgWA05

    Go to company page Google

    GgWA05
    PhD in biomedical engineering. But coding was and is my hobby. I like it so far.
    Jan 28 3
  • Was your work at all related to like materials science. You might have fun peeking into some of the apple hw design stuff. Unless of course you left chemistry and aren't looking back. I have friends from college that left chemistry to work in oil and gas. They certainly make more than academic chemists but not 380k
    Jan 28 0