I have a PhD in computational physics. Although I didn't go into a career in physics, my degree was pretty instrumental in getting me a job in software engineer

I have a PhD in computational physics. Although I didn't go into a career in physics, my degree was pretty instrumental in getting me a job in software engineering on a cutting-edge team. I think it would also be pretty simple for me to move into ML and deep learning. There are a few short programs like Galvanize that introduce the basics of data science, but they're just a veneer of "respectability." The doctorate is the real thing that opens doors. I'm not saying it's worth your while to get a PhD. It isn't. Don't bother with a PhD. A PhD is basically never worth the investment, the time, and the loss of career development and earning opportunity. That said, a PhD in almost any scientific discipline opens the door into a ton of computing careers, basically no questions asked. Engineers love to complain how PhD candidates can't solve problems or code their way out of a paper bag, but their companies still can't stop snatching PhD grads fast enough and offering them very competitive salaries. No one cares what exactly your PhD is in. The degree is basically used as proof that you're smart and you can stick to a challenging project that lasts several years. Take it with a grain of salt.