Online MBA vs Data science boot camp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1 for MBA is useless for a data scientist. I would focus on learning Python, SQL, maybe R? Agree that you have some skills but a recent boot camp or cert will help get your resume past HR. Do as much free/cheap training as possible; most of what you’ll actually need to know you’ll learn on the job, you just have to get the job first. Good luck!

As for compensation, I think PP’s right that entry level would be $70-80k, but there would be opportunities for promotion and raises, decent health/vacation benefits, and 401k match.

I work in tech but not data science/AI. I don’t think “power user of chatgpt” is a reasonable career path; you want the ability to tune models to be valuable in the AI space.

Speaking of MBA now I wonder if I made the right decision. Like OP I am looking for a better paying job. I am currently working as a senior admin assistant and make $110k. My goal is to make minimum $150k. So I joined an online MBA program and I am halfway through the program. I spent about $16k so far and have another $16k to spend. Given that some of you are saying that an online MBA is useless should I leave the program? The first $16k I used my savings but I will.need student loans for the rest.

I want a job as a business analyst, programme manager and the like. I am 39.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:+1 for MBA is useless for a data scientist. I would focus on learning Python, SQL, maybe R? Agree that you have some skills but a recent boot camp or cert will help get your resume past HR. Do as much free/cheap training as possible; most of what you’ll actually need to know you’ll learn on the job, you just have to get the job first. Good luck!

As for compensation, I think PP’s right that entry level would be $70-80k, but there would be opportunities for promotion and raises, decent health/vacation benefits, and 401k match.

I work in tech but not data science/AI. I don’t think “power user of chatgpt” is a reasonable career path; you want the ability to tune models to be valuable in the AI space.

Speaking of MBA now I wonder if I made the right decision. Like OP I am looking for a better paying job. I am currently working as a senior admin assistant and make $110k. My goal is to make minimum $150k. So I joined an online MBA program and I am halfway through the program. I spent about $16k so far and have another $16k to spend. Given that some of you are saying that an online MBA is useless should I leave the program? The first $16k I used my savings but I will.need student loans for the rest.

I want a job as a business analyst, programme manager and the like. I am 39.

I am doing an online mba at michigan ross mba. It costs ~120k and from other students ive talked to, its not worth it. If anything, its a joke of a degree and our respective employers don't care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:+1 for MBA is useless for a data scientist. I would focus on learning Python, SQL, maybe R? Agree that you have some skills but a recent boot camp or cert will help get your resume past HR. Do as much free/cheap training as possible; most of what you’ll actually need to know you’ll learn on the job, you just have to get the job first. Good luck!

As for compensation, I think PP’s right that entry level would be $70-80k, but there would be opportunities for promotion and raises, decent health/vacation benefits, and 401k match.

I work in tech but not data science/AI. I don’t think “power user of chatgpt” is a reasonable career path; you want the ability to tune models to be valuable in the AI space.

Speaking of MBA now I wonder if I made the right decision. Like OP I am looking for a better paying job. I am currently working as a senior admin assistant and make $110k. My goal is to make minimum $150k. So I joined an online MBA program and I am halfway through the program. I spent about $16k so far and have another $16k to spend. Given that some of you are saying that an online MBA is useless should I leave the program? The first $16k I used my savings but I will.need student loans for the rest.

I want a job as a business analyst, programme manager and the like. I am 39.

I am doing an online mba at michigan ross mba. It costs ~120k and from other students ive talked to, its not worth it. If anything, its a joke of a degree and our respective employers don't care.

Wow 150k.and not worth it. I think the government should go after these predatory online MBA programs. They are hiding behind their legit universities.

[Anonymous]

I have a traditional brick and mortar MBA, and it was only valuable to me as a way to overcome the market uselessness of my undergrad political science degree. I treated it as a 2nd undergrad degree in business.

But once you're established in the workforce and in your mid-30s and above, I see a new MBA as being useful primarily if you want to move into a senior management role and need to get a broad-based refresher in corporate finance, management statistics, strategy, and marketing.

I would definitely not get an MBA as the basis for a career change. Right after undergrad? Yes. Moving up into regional VP or similar within an org? Yes.

But for a short hop out of an admin role or moving up within a technical role? No, I can't see it having much tangible value in career progression. It just isn't valued in that context.

[Anonymous]

I did an online MBA back in 2015, when I was 10 years into my career as a software engineer. Looking back, it was a waste of time and 40k.

[Anonymous]

I'm an HR leader and we hire lots of data science talent. We would look at your MBA as 100% useless. Even though you can learn the material on your own (we love the initiative of those who are self-taught) the boot camp credential will boost your resume in a stack of many others who are self-taught, or who have MBAs.

[Anonymous]

Data science boot camp 100%

[Anonymous]

Prior poster here that mentioned my "traditional brick and mortar MBA".

To tell the truth, I have this nagging feeling that it was not worth it, even as a way to make up for a political science degree.

I think it helped me get my first job, but it wasn't so essential that I couldn't have gotten another job without it. After that - no benefit whatsoever.

The biggest price was the 2 full years not in the workforce right after college. The opportunity cost there was huge.

If I had gone to a top tier MBA program and wanted to work for McKinsey or Bain, sure. But it was at a solid but not outstanding state university. No Bains or McKinseys were recruiting there.

So never forget that opportunity cost - the cost of not doing X while getting an MBA. That "X" could be doing another training program, networking, or even things like going to the gym, spending time with family, or training a great dog. All those are things not done if you pursue a degree program that has limited or no benefit.

[Anonymous]

OP how much do you make as statistical assistant now?

[Anonymous]

MBAs are worthless, except for the network from in person relationships at the top programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP how much do you make as statistical assistant now?

OP here. I make $105000. I need a higher paying job. I am behind on retirement savings. I am.behind in college savings and I am recently divorced with child support. So money is tight.

[Anonymous]

I am not a data scientist but I do some data analysis sometimes. We rely on a different team for various reports. If you are truly good with Python/SQL start applying right away. You should be able to get a job paying you at least $150k. One of the "data scientist" I rely on for data is an absolute disaster. He is incapable of producing the most basic reports. I had to beg for his team to give me read access to some our database so I can get my own data. If I recall this guy that I am talking about must be making at least $160k. Perhaps.he is connected who knows. Anyways my point is that despite all.the various boot camps etc the quality of data analysis/scientists etc is not that good.

I do operations research and folks in my field I feel are better prepared.

Good luck OP.

[Anonymous]

OP I have a hint for you. Don't put Statistical Assistant on your resume. Use a different title like Statistician. Trust me they are not going to care. Your interview will shed light on your prior job title. Put a different title and find ways to relate your current experience to what a data scientist would do. I will be very surprised if more than 5% of data scientists are truly doing data science work. Most of them are probably just using built in systems in a very structured format.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I have a hint for you. Don't put Statistical Assistant on your resume. Use a different title like Statistician. Trust me they are not going to care. Your interview will shed light on your prior job title. Put a different title and find ways to relate your current experience to what a data scientist would do. I will be very surprised if more than 5% of data scientists are truly doing data science work. Most of them are probably just using built in systems in a very structured format.

+1.

[Anonymous]

What are some good Data Science boot camps?