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In Feb 2015 I quit my job as a front end developer to learn more about machine learning. First, I went through the Recurse Center, which is a 3 month program s

In Feb 2015 I quit my job as a front end developer to learn more about machine learning. First, I went through the Recurse Center, which is a 3 month program sort of like a writing retreat for programmers. I learned a lot about Python and AWS in that time, and got an internship as a data engineer. In that Fall, I started a computer science master's. I've taken mostly courses in machine learning including: Machine Learning Theory, Deep Learning, Probabilistic Graphical Models, NLP, and GPUs. I've collaborated with two professors on research papers, which has definitely been the highlight of my degree although I definitely think the courses were necessary as I continue to use the information that was covered. Finally, I'll be starting this summer as a research engineer doing deep learning! This process took me 2.5 years, but I feel very prepared for my new role. It probably is possible to do this faster by joining a program like Metis or Insight, which prepare you for data science like jobs w/in 3 months. I would say that approach is slightly more challenging / high risk. If you really want to go into machine learning, I'd say doing the degree is a more surefire approach, granted it's more expensive in time and money.

wunderlust 9y ago
Was your undergrad in computer science or did you 'hop' into the masters?
- mrdrozdov 9y ago
  My undergrad was in computer science, although I would say this wasn't the case for most of my classmates. There were a lot of students from other engineering fields (like Mech E or civil), Math, Stats, physics, bio, and business.
  - ardivekar 9y ago
    Which college and which program, if you don't mind sharing? Edit: for the Master's degree.
    - mrdrozdov 9y ago
      I did my undergrad at U. of Michigan, and my master's at NYU. I would highly recommend both programs, although there are many great ones out there. I probably have a list of ~30 schools that I think would be excellent for a master's in CS with a focus on machine learning (although it is worth considering a master's in Data Science, as this makes sense if ML is your primary interest). I am happy to give more targeted advice on grad school. Please send me an email at andrew [at] mrdrozdov.com.
      - brookside 9y ago
        On a general level, did you or your classmates general fund these masters degrees themselves? And what is the career path / expected compensation after completion of program? Asking as a web dev with only a few years experience but making ok startup-world money. I'm curious, being interested in such a route but also a little older and trying to catch up financially after a pre-tech career.
        mrdrozdov 9y ago
        I believe it is similar compensation as a software engineer with a specialty (front end, data engineering, databases, etc.). I would not recommend this career path to anyone that is in it for the money, but rather to do it because they find machine learning personally fulfilling. These other specialties can be personally fulfilling as well, and many of my close friends have a specialty that is not machine learning and are very happy with their career.
      - mrdrozdov 9y ago
        I received a handful of emails specifically asking for the list of schools I was referring to. Here is a list of 31. There are certainly schools that I have missed, but I think that any of these programs offer a strong curriculum and community that would prepare a student for a career working in data science. https://gist.github.com/mrdrozdov/bd523362210892e6a4e11eb575eca1b9 https://gist.github.com/mrdrozdov/bd523362210892e6a4e11eb575...
- peakai 9y ago
  Liberal arts troll reporting. Starting my prereqs for a masters in CS this summer. It'll take me quite a bit longer to complete than someone who started with a BS in CS (basically I'm taking enough undergrad courses to fill several semesters, before even getting to MS work). However I was a developer for several years before this leap, and I feel pretty comfy with math things. Also working on reproducing papers to develop chops, in my spare time so my dev skills don't go to nil. Excites me since I've always wanted to grow to this level as a dev, I just never had an excuse to go for the CS degree till ML came along.
  - hackernewsacct 9y ago
    What graduate program is this? Most MS programs I came across make you take CS pre-reqs before applying.
    - wunderlust 9y ago
      > basically I'm taking enough undergrad courses to fill several semesters, before even getting to MS work
      - hackernewsacct 9y ago
        The response makes it sound like they were accepted to a MS program under the condition they complete undergrad courses. I am curious which MS program this is.
  - bearocalypse 9y ago
    I'd also like to know more about your Masters program. My first degree was in graphic design and I've been working as a developer for a few years. I'm currently taking undergrad courses part time in CS and have been looking through Masters programs. Thanks for sharing and also best of luck!
  - yazr 9y ago
    What are the most complex paper you implemented ? Did you throw enough CPU at it to compare results ?!
master_yoda_1 9y ago
inspiring story, great job.
jorgemf 9y ago
I work in machine learning and I don't think a 3 months course is going to transform you in a machine learning engineer. I think you need at least the time you took. You need to learn the maths, statistics, etc. Apply those tools to real problems, get some experience with different problems and techniques. And, finally, be involved in some type of research. Because machine learning is evolving so fast, you need to learn how to read a paper, how to understand it, and how to apply it to your problem. I see no way to do everything it in 3 months. You need at least a couple of years and be lucky to find a job related, so you put your first step in the industry. And congratulations for you achievement and your bravery to quit the job!
- dikdik 9y ago
  Any insight for someone that already works as a bioinformatics scientist that wants to move into deep learning? I've got the programming, math, some stats, and am currently involved in research, but I only know a little about deep learning. I'm currently working my way through the course.fast.ai deep learning courses and am going to do Part 2 when it is released. Any other resources that would be useful for getting a job in this area? Best to just work on my own projects?
  - jorgemf 9y ago
    I would say to you to go to kaggle and get your hands dirty in any competition related with bioinformatics. As you already know the domain better than other people in there you can focus on learning deep learning.
  - jorgemf 9y ago
    And for the job I don't know. You can post your CV here in the monthly thread for jobs, also take a look to the companies searching for people with experience in bioinformatics that wants to apply deep learning. I think a startup it is a good place to find a job and improve your deep learning skills.
- AndrewKemendo 9y ago
  As a computer vision/ML applications engineer I disagree with this. What you describe is someone who is actively implementing cutting edge tech. That is VERY different than what 99% of people should be doing with ML which is: Spinning up some K80s on Azure, installing TF/CUDA/OpenCL, pulling existing pre-trained models off the shelf, and running inference on a novel data set. That's how you get into it as a garden variety dev. Otherwise, go for the PhD if you want to actually make new stuff.

wunderlust 9y ago

Was your undergrad in computer science or did you 'hop' into the masters?

mrdrozdov 9y ago
My undergrad was in computer science, although I would say this wasn't the case for most of my classmates. There were a lot of students from other engineering fields (like Mech E or civil), Math, Stats, physics, bio, and business.
- ardivekar 9y ago
  Which college and which program, if you don't mind sharing? Edit: for the Master's degree.
  - mrdrozdov 9y ago
    I did my undergrad at U. of Michigan, and my master's at NYU. I would highly recommend both programs, although there are many great ones out there. I probably have a list of ~30 schools that I think would be excellent for a master's in CS with a focus on machine learning (although it is worth considering a master's in Data Science, as this makes sense if ML is your primary interest). I am happy to give more targeted advice on grad school. Please send me an email at andrew [at] mrdrozdov.com.
    - brookside 9y ago
      On a general level, did you or your classmates general fund these masters degrees themselves? And what is the career path / expected compensation after completion of program? Asking as a web dev with only a few years experience but making ok startup-world money. I'm curious, being interested in such a route but also a little older and trying to catch up financially after a pre-tech career.
      - mrdrozdov 9y ago
        I believe it is similar compensation as a software engineer with a specialty (front end, data engineering, databases, etc.). I would not recommend this career path to anyone that is in it for the money, but rather to do it because they find machine learning personally fulfilling. These other specialties can be personally fulfilling as well, and many of my close friends have a specialty that is not machine learning and are very happy with their career.
    - mrdrozdov 9y ago
      I received a handful of emails specifically asking for the list of schools I was referring to. Here is a list of 31. There are certainly schools that I have missed, but I think that any of these programs offer a strong curriculum and community that would prepare a student for a career working in data science. https://gist.github.com/mrdrozdov/bd523362210892e6a4e11eb575eca1b9 https://gist.github.com/mrdrozdov/bd523362210892e6a4e11eb575...
peakai 9y ago
Liberal arts troll reporting. Starting my prereqs for a masters in CS this summer. It'll take me quite a bit longer to complete than someone who started with a BS in CS (basically I'm taking enough undergrad courses to fill several semesters, before even getting to MS work). However I was a developer for several years before this leap, and I feel pretty comfy with math things. Also working on reproducing papers to develop chops, in my spare time so my dev skills don't go to nil. Excites me since I've always wanted to grow to this level as a dev, I just never had an excuse to go for the CS degree till ML came along.
- hackernewsacct 9y ago
  What graduate program is this? Most MS programs I came across make you take CS pre-reqs before applying.
  - wunderlust 9y ago
    > basically I'm taking enough undergrad courses to fill several semesters, before even getting to MS work
    - hackernewsacct 9y ago
      The response makes it sound like they were accepted to a MS program under the condition they complete undergrad courses. I am curious which MS program this is.
- bearocalypse 9y ago
  I'd also like to know more about your Masters program. My first degree was in graphic design and I've been working as a developer for a few years. I'm currently taking undergrad courses part time in CS and have been looking through Masters programs. Thanks for sharing and also best of luck!
- yazr 9y ago
  What are the most complex paper you implemented ? Did you throw enough CPU at it to compare results ?!

master_yoda_1 9y ago

inspiring story, great job.

jorgemf 9y ago

I work in machine learning and I don't think a 3 months course is going to transform you in a machine learning engineer. I think you need at least the time you took. You need to learn the maths, statistics, etc. Apply those tools to real problems, get some experience with different problems and techniques. And, finally, be involved in some type of research. Because machine learning is evolving so fast, you need to learn how to read a paper, how to understand it, and how to apply it to your problem. I see no way to do everything it in 3 months. You need at least a couple of years and be lucky to find a job related, so you put your first step in the industry. And congratulations for you achievement and your bravery to quit the job!

dikdik 9y ago
Any insight for someone that already works as a bioinformatics scientist that wants to move into deep learning? I've got the programming, math, some stats, and am currently involved in research, but I only know a little about deep learning. I'm currently working my way through the course.fast.ai deep learning courses and am going to do Part 2 when it is released. Any other resources that would be useful for getting a job in this area? Best to just work on my own projects?
- jorgemf 9y ago
  I would say to you to go to kaggle and get your hands dirty in any competition related with bioinformatics. As you already know the domain better than other people in there you can focus on learning deep learning.
- jorgemf 9y ago
  And for the job I don't know. You can post your CV here in the monthly thread for jobs, also take a look to the companies searching for people with experience in bioinformatics that wants to apply deep learning. I think a startup it is a good place to find a job and improve your deep learning skills.
AndrewKemendo 9y ago
As a computer vision/ML applications engineer I disagree with this. What you describe is someone who is actively implementing cutting edge tech. That is VERY different than what 99% of people should be doing with ML which is: Spinning up some K80s on Azure, installing TF/CUDA/OpenCL, pulling existing pre-trained models off the shelf, and running inference on a novel data set. That's how you get into it as a garden variety dev. Otherwise, go for the PhD if you want to actually make new stuff.