Hello Blinders, Here is my background: - double majored in Econ and statistics in undergraduate - started phd program for neuroscience at age 22 at a top 10, dropped out after two years (without masters). Learned basic computer science skills while there - have been doing a combo of programming and data science or data analytics since my last two years of undergraduate, both at school and in research positions - 2 years as analyst in another field before moving into tech 4 years ago - been in tech (consumer products, then finance, then social media) for 4 years across 3 diff companies, first two jobs were FTE but latest is a contract at Meta. But something I realized when I started working in tech and preparing for interviews / working with more technical colleagues was how much i enjoyed coding and working on technical problems and how little i enjoyed “crafting a story around an analysis to sell it to nontechnical people.” Consequently, i am now sort of at a crossroads where I feel like I could be an SWE if I put in the work, but not sure where to start, given that I’ve pieced together the skills i do have myself. Im taking some online coursework in data engineering, SWE, and computer science fundamentals but conceptually still pretty intro. However, my real world experience with python and sql, as well as dabbling in other languages as needed, are at least intermediate to advanced. Do i double down on being DIY, take fundamental courses on coursera/edx, leetcode, and put together a portfolio of work myself? Or do i go a more traditional route and get an online masters or go to a bootcamp? Given my background, what do people recommend?
You already have a quant degree. Test what resume works to get interviews for you. Highlight skills related to SWE. LeetCode. Maybe a project if you're rusty with actual coding
You just need one SWE job as a form of social proof that you're "in the field". From there you can fake it till you make it, leetcode etc your way to a better paying SWE job. So I would cast a wide net and look for a job like this, maybe in a domain where you have experience and can get hired on that strength. If you are confident you can learn quickly I would really drop the online course BS, personally I have found this stuff gives you a sense of accomplishment but counts for very little versus simply working hard to find a job in the field and learning as you go. You can go masters route as well, but imo at this point in your career it will be harder and cost more than just trying to make an organic transition over the course of 1-3 years by getting successively adjacent roles.
Can you talk to your manager and see if you can work out a transition plan in your current company? If you are a good employee most companies would support you. Not sure about Meta’s culture around this.
Depends how much money want to spend. Master might be easiest to get a job after but has big opportunity costs. Not sure about bootcamps, most of the ones I have seen are scams. Online courses work but need big discipline, downside is it does not give you as much credential as a masters degree.