3 ms·

Thanks for the advice! The objective is: (1) for the diploma / for fun, and (2) to be more attractive to potential employers / prepare myself for future work.

by _fthq 4y ago

Thanks for the advice! The objective is: (1) for the diploma / for fun, and (2) to be more attractive to potential employers / prepare myself for future work. (If I'm going to study on my own outside of work, and the cost isn't absurd, I might as well get the diploma, right?) The thing I'm getting a bit hung up on is whether it would make more sense to study something that will probably be in demand for a long time i.e. computer systems, or whether I should try to get a foothold in AI since it's so hot right now. Anyway, I will follow your advice and try to find learning material for specific courses rather than the specializations.

Jtsummers 4y ago
> The thing I'm getting a bit hung up on is whether it would make more sense to study something that will probably be in demand for a long time i.e. computer systems, or whether I should try to get a foothold in AI since it's so hot right now. Something else to keep in mind (I'm looking at doing the same program starting 2024), the specialization requirements only account for about half your classes. Your degree is going to be an MS CS regardless of the specialization you select. So you can mix and match. My intention is to take several of the OS and security courses because it fits my personal interest + career trajectory better. But because of the overlap in core courses between them, I could, and may, technically complete both the Computer Systems and Machine Learning specializations (1 common core course, 4 courses for ML only, 5 more for Computer Systems only; 10 total). I'd be doing the ML ones less for my career but more for edification, if I go that route. But in the end, I'd be able to say I'd done them if my career took a different path where they were more applicable.
- bruce511 4y ago
  I'd throw in "do what makes you excited". If you select the subject based on your interest, you'll learn more, do better, and have more fun along the way. So I'd turn the question around. You woke up this morning, and you have one of these classes. Which one do you want to go to?
  - _fthq 4y ago
    Thank you for the advice! I will think about this when looking through the syllabi for the courses.

by _fthq 4y ago

Jtsummers 4y ago

> The thing I'm getting a bit hung up on is whether it would make more sense to study something that will probably be in demand for a long time i.e. computer systems, or whether I should try to get a foothold in AI since it's so hot right now. Something else to keep in mind (I'm looking at doing the same program starting 2024), the specialization requirements only account for about half your classes. Your degree is going to be an MS CS regardless of the specialization you select. So you can mix and match. My intention is to take several of the OS and security courses because it fits my personal interest + career trajectory better. But because of the overlap in core courses between them, I could, and may, technically complete both the Computer Systems and Machine Learning specializations (1 common core course, 4 courses for ML only, 5 more for Computer Systems only; 10 total). I'd be doing the ML ones less for my career but more for edification, if I go that route. But in the end, I'd be able to say I'd done them if my career took a different path where they were more applicable.

bruce511 4y ago
I'd throw in "do what makes you excited". If you select the subject based on your interest, you'll learn more, do better, and have more fun along the way. So I'd turn the question around. You woke up this morning, and you have one of these classes. Which one do you want to go to?
- _fthq 4y ago
  Thank you for the advice! I will think about this when looking through the syllabi for the courses.