Earn a Master of Information and Data Science Online • Hacker News Board

Re: Earn a Master of Information and Data Science Online

#61

Post by flanger » Fri, Aug 22, 2014, 6:29 PM UTC

sonalid wrote: post #60

sourc3 wrote: post #54

Based on this conversation, what are some of the Big Data/Data Science programs with hands on experience that you guys think are worth the price tag?

Zipfian Academy ( http://www.zipfianacademy.com/ ) definitely has hands-on experience and is worth the $16k tuition. That's where I'm going now that I've left the Berkeley MIDS program, where I learned almost nothing.

Thanks for the mention, Sonali! One of the founders of Zipfian Academy here, happy to answer any questions you might have about the program.

Re: Earn a Master of Information and Data Science Online

#62

Post by SwellJoe » Fri, Aug 22, 2014, 10:47 PM UTC

ForHackernews wrote: post #57

SwellJoe wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So much of the value of going to a place like Stanford or Caltech or Harvard, etc. is in the people you will interact with. In an online program, that value is probably completely lost. Given that, I just don't see why someone would choose this over a much more cost-effective program. While a "top tier" university does look nice on the resume, I don't believe it is mandatory, anymore. If you're competent and work har…

Not to diminish your accomplishments, but you should know that Google casts a very wide net in their recruiting. I've been contacted several times by them for positions that I am not even remotely qualified for.

Yes, that's probably true; and I doubt I would actually get a job at Google were I interested in one (I don't have a degree; I started my first company before finishing any school). They were pretty specific about why they were contacting me, and it was well-targeted for the position they were hiring for (and my company co-founder currently works in that role for Google). But, I've never posted anything anywhere ever that would indicate I'm looking for work, so I don't get a lot of recruitment overtures except from people that actually know what I do.

Anyway, that probably wasn't a useful addition to my point. I believe you're more likely to get hired for a good company if somebody within the company knows you, and you're more likely to know people in good companies if you go to one of the "good" schools for your field. That doesn't happen with online degrees, no matter how prestigious the school.

Re: Earn a Master of Information and Data Science Online

#63

Post by icewater » Fri, Aug 22, 2014, 11:39 PM UTC

ForHackernews wrote: post #58

grumblestumble wrote: post #26

Are their any legitimate programs like these for Bachelor's degrees? I've had my eye on doing something like this, but as I never completed my undergrad before getting sucked into the tech goldmine, I'm ineligible. Online undergrad degrees seem to mostly be diploma mills with no real value.

In the US, probably the most legitimate option is Western Governors University http://www.wgu.edu/ . They're an accredited, non-profit institution. Obviously, it's not the most prestigious degree out there, but it's not looked down on as being a for-profit scam like University of Phoenix or similar.

Thanks for that info. Is this the only college that has an online bachelors program or just the only one you are aware of?

Re: Earn a Master of Information and Data Science Online

#64

Post by sourc3 » Sat, Aug 23, 2014, 3:23 AM UTC

flanger wrote: post #61

sonalid wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Zipfian Academy ( http://www.zipfianacademy.com/ ) definitely has hands-on experience and is worth the $16k tuition. That's where I'm going now that I've left the Berkeley MIDS program, where I learned almost nothing.

Thanks for the mention, Sonali! One of the founders of Zipfian Academy here, happy to answer any questions you might have about the program.

Would love to have something comparable in NY area! Too bad I cannot be in Cali for 6 weeks :/

Re: Earn a Master of Information and Data Science Online

#65

Post by ForHackernews » Mon, Aug 25, 2014, 12:26 AM UTC

icewater wrote: post #63

ForHackernews wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the US, probably the most legitimate option is Western Governors University http://www.wgu.edu/ . They're an accredited, non-profit institution. Obviously, it's not the most prestigious degree out there, but it's not looked down on as being a for-profit scam like University of Phoenix or similar.

Thanks for that info. Is this the only college that has an online bachelors program or just the only one you are aware of?

Many many colleges have online bachelors programs. This is just one that I know has a decent reputation.