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Ask HN: Advice Going From Math to Tech

I dropped out of my math PhD program at the start of 2021 and have spent the last few months learning statistics and how to program. I have always enjoyed competitive math so I really loved leetcode/Project Euler and have done a few hundred problems between them. But I have no real programming experience. During my undergrad summers I did "REU's" (essentially math internships) and I went to grad school directly after graduating, so I have no experience in anything but pure math. I fear the longer I stay unemployed the less attractive I would be to an employer. I was wondering: 1) What type of jobs (in tech) may be welcoming to someone with my skillset? (that is which can I apply to without learning too much more at this point). 2) If there is generally more I should know before I can apply to most jobs? 3) I have not yet applied to any jobs but I was wondering if I should click "new grad" or "professional" since I am neither. Currently I am thinking of SWE jobs, but I am happy to learn of any other suggestions. Cheers, n-Dim.

melling 5y ago
Data science? Machine Learning? Seems to be be a big field these days. I’ve noticed there are boot camps for learning. https://www.springboard.com/ https://www.springboard.com/ Lots of free resources online. http://www.kaggle.com http://www.kaggle.com They have a few courses: https://www.kaggle.com/learn/intro-to-machine-learning https://www.kaggle.com/learn/intro-to-machine-learning
- n-Dimensional 5y ago
  Thank you so much for the reply! I would rather keep of the bootcamp for now, but if I can't land a job soon I may apply to some. On the other hand, I am very open to doing a course or certifications - I just don't know if recruiters really care about them. Do you have any insight if they do care or which are the non-scammy ones?
noud 5y ago
I have been working in tech for 10 years and I have a PhD in Mathematics. > 1) What type of jobs (in tech) may be welcoming to someone with my skillset? Data science, programming, statistics, logistics, optimization, basically everything that's related to research, development, or innovation. There are many field that are in need of mathematicians without you or them knowing. Having someone in the company that's smart, rational, and has a good scientific mindset (makes the least amount of assumptions) is very valuable. Don't forget that you can write open applications. My experience is that if you have a skill set not many people have (mathematics) you're invited often. > 2) If there is generally more I should know before I can apply to most jobs? Soft skills are more important than most mathematicians think: Managers can be a pain in the ass; Sometimes you have to explain your solutions to colleagues that don't even know how to basic arithmetic; You have to negotiate your salary; You have to do (office) politics, ... When I hire new team members I select on more than only skill. I prefer to have a mediocre engineer who's good at explaining what he did and works well in the team, than hire a genius who refuses to collaborate and cannot explain his line of thought. Invest in soft skills, learn how to collaborate, how to teach, how to listen! > 3) I have not yet applied to any jobs but I was wondering if I should click "new grad" or "professional" since I am neither. As a graduated math student with intern experience I don't consider you junior anymore. Aim a little bit higher. Also keep in mind that often you can make promotion fast in a company if you're good and put effort in it.
- n-Dimensional 5y ago
  Let me start by saying thank you so much for the thoughtful reply. I started to apply for a few SWE jobs and will make sure to try to be as socially present as I can be. I will also look into the other suggestions you made and see if I can find cool openings that would be able to utilize my math background. Sorry for the late reply I had not to pleasent covid-19.

melling 5y ago

Data science? Machine Learning? Seems to be be a big field these days. I’ve noticed there are boot camps for learning. https://www.springboard.com/ https://www.springboard.com/ Lots of free resources online. http://www.kaggle.com http://www.kaggle.com They have a few courses: https://www.kaggle.com/learn/intro-to-machine-learning https://www.kaggle.com/learn/intro-to-machine-learning

n-Dimensional 5y ago
Thank you so much for the reply! I would rather keep of the bootcamp for now, but if I can't land a job soon I may apply to some. On the other hand, I am very open to doing a course or certifications - I just don't know if recruiters really care about them. Do you have any insight if they do care or which are the non-scammy ones?

noud 5y ago

I have been working in tech for 10 years and I have a PhD in Mathematics. > 1) What type of jobs (in tech) may be welcoming to someone with my skillset? Data science, programming, statistics, logistics, optimization, basically everything that's related to research, development, or innovation. There are many field that are in need of mathematicians without you or them knowing. Having someone in the company that's smart, rational, and has a good scientific mindset (makes the least amount of assumptions) is very valuable. Don't forget that you can write open applications. My experience is that if you have a skill set not many people have (mathematics) you're invited often. > 2) If there is generally more I should know before I can apply to most jobs? Soft skills are more important than most mathematicians think: Managers can be a pain in the ass; Sometimes you have to explain your solutions to colleagues that don't even know how to basic arithmetic; You have to negotiate your salary; You have to do (office) politics, ... When I hire new team members I select on more than only skill. I prefer to have a mediocre engineer who's good at explaining what he did and works well in the team, than hire a genius who refuses to collaborate and cannot explain his line of thought. Invest in soft skills, learn how to collaborate, how to teach, how to listen! > 3) I have not yet applied to any jobs but I was wondering if I should click "new grad" or "professional" since I am neither. As a graduated math student with intern experience I don't consider you junior anymore. Aim a little bit higher. Also keep in mind that often you can make promotion fast in a company if you're good and put effort in it.

n-Dimensional 5y ago
Let me start by saying thank you so much for the thoughtful reply. I started to apply for a few SWE jobs and will make sure to try to be as socially present as I can be. I will also look into the other suggestions you made and see if I can find cool openings that would be able to utilize my math background. Sorry for the late reply I had not to pleasent covid-19.