Ask HN:How to switch career from programmer to data scientist?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7065682

by aforarnold • 13 years ago

7 7 13 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Doing programming for 3 years, while working in a project, I had to learn basic statistics and I found it really satisfying.Though, the complexity of the project was fairly easy, now I am thinking to switch track. As I have some programming experience, if I can learn data science that would be great. I know there are some online courses but I want "your" comment, feedback or experience, because that would help me to go forward.

runjake2• 13 years ago

Insufficient data to provide a meaningful answer.

runjake2• 13 years ago

This comment is getting down arrowed into oblivion, sorry.

The OP originally submitted this with the subject and contents of "How to switch career from programmer to data scientist?". It wasn't a very useful query. He edited his question after that.

I thought I'd quote a little Asimov to elicit more information.

soboleiv2• 13 years ago

How about trying chasing some data scientists jobs and fixing your knowledge/experience gaps as you go?

MaysonL• 13 years ago

Online courses, and Kaggle competitions. Lather, rinse, repeat.

queensnake• 13 years ago

Unfortunately Kaggle doesn't seem to have as many entry-level competitions as it once did. Some learning ones, sure, but you need something to let you move up to 'Masters Level'. Also, it looks like the whole process would take a couple of years.

MojoJolo• 13 years ago

In my case, I was a software engineer for more than a year. I made an algorithm that works well during my MS degree. A company took notice of it. They hired me.

I don't have much data science background. I don't have any formal introduction in it. But when I started, I realized that my experience in building the algorithm is a good enough starting point. My point is, don't just take online courses, try to apply what you learn. Try Kaggle, can't vouch for it though, I still don't have a chance to try it. You can also gather data, do some data science out of it, post your findings as an article in your blog, and share it in social media. Not a sure fire, but can give you credibility and people will know that you knew something about data science.

soboleiv2• 13 years ago

A topic having loads of information answering your question: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7068672 https://github.com/datasciencemasters/go/

Ask HN:How to switch career from programmer to data scientist?

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