+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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Excel, python, and SQL are enough to get you in the door for a lot of entry level analyst roles. If you don’t already have experience with querying platforms like SAS and big query, focus on learning those.

$70-80k sounds right.

Not OP but wow I didn't know salaries for so low for entry level analysis. $70-80k wow.

It's pretty good for an associates degree level vocational education.

Anonymous wrote:Excel, python, and SQL are enough to get you in the door for a lot of entry level analyst roles. If you don’t already have experience with querying platforms like SAS and big query, focus on learning those.

$70-80k sounds right.

Not OP but wow I didn't know salaries for so low for entry level analysis. $70-80k wow.

I am a data scientist. I would tell you not to do an MBA (I also have one of those)... Is your undergrad in Math or Statistics-- if so, do you have the basic skills to be an analyst already? As a PP said you already know Python and SQL, those are the main things to understand when being a data analyst. If I were you I would practice solving problems on sites like leetcode. You should also investigate github.io, you can then build a page and then make a portfolio of solving problems from Kaggle.

Excel, python, and SQL are enough to get you in the door for a lot of entry level analyst roles. If you don’t already have experience with querying platforms like SAS and big query, focus on learning those.

$70-80k sounds right.

It's sad an online MBA is not valued because the courses I took in economics, marketing, negotiations, and strategic management continue to help today inu job. I am an engineer and technical courses in data science are okay but at least at my company the folks on the analytics side use the like of Tableau. And that's not exactly a differentiated skillet.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work with data scientists at a multinational and we do hire junior analysts who come out of the boot camps. I don’t think they are especially well prepared but it gets them the job and then they build skills from there. You have a good background already.

An MBA wouldn’t be desirable for us.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. If I may ask, which areas do you think they need to improve on? And how much do you pays these junior analysts and do they have healthcare and 401k match?

I have read access to a few of our DBs and I am thinking of fetching some of the data and do independent projects (like building Machine learning models) to build a portfolio to show to employers. However the issue is passing HR filters. I feel like unless I have a recent degree or some boot camp formation my resume won't even land on the desks of recruiters.

I do think the data science boot camp helps applicants get past HR. I would do the shortest, cheapest one, do some independent projects, and meanwhile apply for jobs. I don’t know how much the roles pay at our company ($70?) but benefits incl healthcare are very good. It’s a Euro based company.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither the MBA nor the boot camp will be useful. Although your data experience is at a lower level you have a leg up because you work in the field. Data science is honestly dead. I would take courses in AI instead.

You can't understand AI without having the fundamentals that DS teaches you...

You are correct. I was thinking in the line of being a power user. The AI systems like ChatGPT need human inputs and I was thinking for OP to take courses that will teach him to learn those systems.

Anonymous wrote:I work with data scientists at a multinational and we do hire junior analysts who come out of the boot camps. I don’t think they are especially well prepared but it gets them the job and then they build skills from there. You have a good background already.

An MBA wouldn’t be desirable for us.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. If I may ask, which areas do you think they need to improve on? And how much do you pays these junior analysts and do they have healthcare and 401k match?

I have read access to a few of our DBs and I am thinking of fetching some of the data and do independent projects (like building Machine learning models) to build a portfolio to show to employers. However the issue is passing HR filters. I feel like unless I have a recent degree or some boot camp formation my resume won't even land on the desks of recruiters.

Anonymous wrote:Neither the MBA nor the boot camp will be useful. Although your data experience is at a lower level you have a leg up because you work in the field. Data science is honestly dead. I would take courses in AI instead.

You can't understand AI without having the fundamentals that DS teaches you...

Neither the MBA nor the boot camp will be useful. Although your data experience is at a lower level you have a leg up because you work in the field. Data science is honestly dead. I would take courses in AI instead.

I work with data scientists at a multinational and we do hire junior analysts who come out of the boot camps. I don’t think they are especially well prepared but it gets them the job and then they build skills from there. You have a good background already.

An MBA wouldn’t be desirable for us.

Anonymous wrote:Check out eastern university dual online mba/ online ms data science for 20k

Great thanks a lot. Def will. I already saved $10k for this. So I will just have to borrow $10k max. I figured if I don't end up with offers as a result of the degree or boot camp, $10k loss won't put in a financial hole.

Check out eastern university dual online mba/ online ms data science for 20k

I am deciding whether to pursue an Online MBA from an accredited but no-name school or a Data science boot camp. The MBA will cost me $15k and the Data science boot camp probably less.

I currently work as a Statistical Assistant. I can learn most of the Data science courses on my own to be honest.

My goal is to get a job as a data analyst or data scientist. I have been a statistical assistant for 10 years. I use excel, python and SQL in my job. I do not build any models nor do I work with unstructured data.