11–17 of 17 posts
This sounds like a bad idea. You are very smart to have asked before proceeding. I work as an MLE at a growth-stage startup with ~20 MLE/MLS folks. I was unemployed for 6 months before getting this job with 4YOE as an MLE and DS. There are too many qualified candidates. ML research is out of the question. Most of the people who get to do ML research have PhDs, if not the only people. This seems like a racket but it e…
This sounds like a bad idea. You are very smart to have asked before proceeding. I work as an MLE at a growth-stage startup with ~20 MLE/MLS folks. I was unemployed for 6 months before getting this job with 4YOE as an MLE and DS. There are too many qualified candidates. ML research is out of the question. Most of the people who get to do ML research have PhDs, if not the only people. This seems like a racket but it e…
I do have an MS in DS/ML, but thanks for the advice. Now, if I were to look for ML engineering positions after that hiatus, would that change the answer? I already have some experience in that. (I should have been clearer that I’m not expecting a research scientist job right away, I’d like to upskill and then take a job I’m qualified for, and try the PhD route later.)
An MS probably doesn't have that much more of a causal effect on your ability to do good ML work, as opposed to an equivalent amount of diligent self-directed study, which is what I assumed you were considering. But *the hiring market is dumb*, hence my spiel about social signals.
So now I'm less confident about the hiatus. I still don't think it's a good idea, but certainly not as terrible, and I think the HN consensus would be slightly in favor of it.
If you haven't already, consider posting this question to teamblind. Yes it's an incredibly toxic community, but it attracts people ruthlessly interested in maximizing their compensation. HN is biased towards entrepreneurship.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I do have an MS in DS/ML, but thanks for the advice. Now, if I were to look for ML engineering positions after that hiatus, would that change the answer? I already have some experience in that. (I should have been clearer that I’m not expecting a research scientist job right away, I’d like to upskill and then take a job I’m qualified for, and try the PhD route later.)
That's extremely pertinent information, why didn't you say so? An MS probably doesn't have that much more of a causal effect on your ability to do good ML work, as opposed to an equivalent amount of diligent self-directed study, which is what I assumed you were considering. But *the hiring market is dumb*, hence my spiel about social signals. So now I'm less confident about the hiatus. I still don't think it's a good…
Thanks for the advice! I’ll think hard about whether I really want to do this.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
That would be nice. But I’m not from a great school and don’t have a lot of published research (co-authored a few papers where I wasn’t the main contributor). I thought maybe that would be a better choice in a few years with a better CV.
That's not necessarily a deterrent :) it really depends where, also would you consider staying in the states for it? Because I know of some reputable places (west coast mostly) where pretty much if you are to the right person's liking and fit their requirements, your admission won't see objections- there's plenty of time to make a decision about it, because the applications (iirc) take place a bit before* the end of…
Point taken about selection though! I’m thinking I could network with academics while working on implementing papers, etc.
Do you think the selection situation is different for foreigners? Do you know if the same is true about European schools? The 3-year average for PhDs in Europe really looks more attractive to me.
Also would really appreciate if you could tell me more about how these programs select people who aren’t 4.0 students from a top school with famous recommendations. Is practice important, should you know a lot about current SOtA, do you need to show math proficiency?
If you wanted to go back and do a PhD in ML, with your work experience you would be a great fit for the NSF Fellowship called CSGrad4US that supports engineers going back to research. https://www.nsf.gov/cise/CSGrad4US/ You have to be a US Citizen, and commit to a U.S. based university and in a CISE department (this is most CS departments). I am in the fellowship now and highly recommend it! Happy to answer any quest…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
That's not necessarily a deterrent :) it really depends where, also would you consider staying in the states for it? Because I know of some reputable places (west coast mostly) where pretty much if you are to the right person's liking and fit their requirements, your admission won't see objections- there's plenty of time to make a decision about it, because the applications (iirc) take place a bit before* the end of…
I really should have mentioned that I’m not American, I just want to work there in the future. Point taken about selection though! I’m thinking I could network with academics while working on implementing papers, etc. Do you think the selection situation is different for foreigners? Do you know if the same is true about European schools? The 3-year average for PhDs in Europe really looks more attractive to me. Also w…