I'm a civil engineer (BS+MS) in traffic and a US citizen if that makes a difference. I live in Seattle and I'm quickly realizing that tech is the way to go. I have a pretty strong background in statistical modelling and can work in R and learning Python right now, but I have no real experience outside of statistical computing. Currently taking some CS prereqs while working so I can get into a masters in CS (aiming for OMSCS at GaTech Fall 2020 or Spring 2021). Right now Im in python 1 and discrete, this summer taking data structures and computer architecture. Im also self teaching algorithms right now to start on leetcode soon. The goal is to eventually break into ML post masters, but I’d like to jump into anything relevant. Realistically id like to make at least what I currently make which shouldnt be too hard at 90k. Any tips or advice would be appreciated!
You’re not going to just break into ML with an online MS degree and zero YOE. You should adjust expectations
Hence why they said eventually. I think it can be done if their personal projects showcase ML skills. Ofc it would be easier to first break into SWE and then pivot to ML once he or she has exp under their belt
That’s what I figured, my goal is transition into a data or SWE role within the next year to get experience ad get into ML a few years down the line. I figured the masters, online or not would just help make my resume more attractive. My other option is going to UW for a masters once the pre-reqs are done, but the cost is significantly higher.
Start with Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, or Data Science. From there you can shift closer to coding if you still want to.
Would data analytics/science be a more of a harder sell than trying to get into an entry level SWE role?
I heavily disagree with these comments. All of these roles called "Business/Data" "Intelligence/Analytics" are mostly non technical and dont even require a CS degree or any technical degree at all. These roles can be gotten by people in Business degrees etc. Those roles are completely different from ML roles like "MLE"/"ML SWE". These pay much higher TC and are highly technical. The best path to these roles are to leetcode into a SWE job at FANG/similar and then transfer internally or externally to a more ML oriented SWE role.
You gotta start somewhere when you’re changing careers. If he can get hired directly as a Data Scientist, then great. The path is closer to SWE. If not, then get into Analytics first and keep leetcoding.
analytics doesnt have anything to do with SWE though. and at most/many places, neither does data scientist. these roles are mostly people that use interfaces / sql to understand how people use the product and then inform the team. ML SWE uses tensorflow/pytorch to create machine learning models to calculate the best FB friend recommendation, for example. They are not related at all. SWE is far closer to ML SWE than BI/DA
You know that Google is investing massively into real estate and civil projects? You might not need to change career to get into a big tech company. Google is public but all of them are making big moves into large scale town/civil planning projects. Get in early and you'll do better than knocking on the dev door late. Stick with the data analysis side, that will help, but use what you already know instead of pivoting away.
Links?
Are you referring to sidewalk labs? I’m actually looking to exit the industry entirely. I really do like my job, but it’s just sort of boring and unchallenging.
Not to troll the OP, but you're not the only non-CS graduate I know that realized they went into the wrong Engineering discipline; it is quite common. I personally know a few Mechancial and Computer Engineers that have mentioned they made a mistake and should've just studied CS from the start. At least you're making the course correction now.
I imagine there’s quite a few of us out here! I want to make the switch before I wait too long and regret not trying. I’m 28 so not too old yet not exactly young either.
I've recently talked with a few Mechancial and Electrical Engineering students that are about to graduate. Not one of them is planning to go into their field professionally, but rather looking to go into SWE and TPM roles. I remember a college friend of mine went down the CE path and I went down CS. By the time we graduated, I seem to remember he had little to no coding skills and was clueless on things like system design, distributed systems, databases, etc. I felt bad for him when he realized he made a mistake, and relieved I stayed on my original path.
Don't do that crappy online Masters. Go look at uw Bothell, they have a certificate in software dev that qualifies you for jobs and for their MSC. I know a few people that did it and they all transitioned into tech. The few I know who did the Georgia tech Msc have been unable to find work.
It work tho.
Start small. Do less of LeetCode, but learn SQL and do some small data science projects. Go to meetups and build some connections. Target jobs like BI or data engineer for now (Data scientist is you're brave).
Perfect! I’m trying to get my skills a bit higher before I get into meetups though, I want to be able to make a positive impression. Most of my apartment building is Microsoft employees so I’ve been making friends as well. I haven’t talked with people about making a switch because I don’t want them to think I’m using them for connections (I need friends way more than a referral honestly). My biggest question is how will I know when I’m ready to start targeting jobs?
There'll never be a perfect moment. Start going to meetups now. You don't need a certain skillset to join and observe. Plus it'll give you more time to make connections. I'd even suggest start interviewing after a month or two of prep to test waters.