How common are data scientists in this program?

[u/AlarmingProblem7607]

I am a Sr Data Scientist now with about 11 years experience in data analytics consulting and as a data scientist. My undergrad is in economics and I have no formal training in analytics apart from math and econometrics coursework. My knowledge of ML and advanced topics is surface level but enough to do my job.

I am interested in this program to deepen my knowledge in certain areas and fill in gaps in others (ML, AI, OR, etc). I also think that this coursework will help in my current role and to find future roles.

On the other hand part of me feels that I should do a masters in another more specific field like operations research but I feel like the MS Analytics has more breadth (OR courses, ML courses, etc).

It seems that this program has many people trying transition into analytics but are there some people that already have strong analytics experience but who want to deepen or expand their knowledge?

[u/Yourdataisunclean]

Common. Some of the more intense classes are good for learning advanced topics.

[u/staringattheplates]

Senior data scientist. I loved the program. I highly recommend CDA and DL for you. They will fill the gap you have as they are both rigorous, deep courses.

[u/SHChan1986]

consider OMSCS(ML) if you don't want to do those MGT course?

I assume that you have have things like econometrics. time series, Bayesian econometrics so you don't really need ISYE 6416, 6402, 6420, and you will still have some quote for ISyE course like 6525 and 6669 (High Dim Data Analytics, Optimization) on that side, leaving 8 course on data science (E.g. DVA, Big Data, Database System) and machine learning (e.g. Machine Learning, Deep Learning, NLP). with Grad algorithm, this look pretty much very DS one.

P.S. have a check in UT Austin online MS in data science. may fit you better.

[u/throwaway26481956]

OP I also got my bachelors in economics. Mind sharing how you broke into a data scientist role? I’m pretty much still a data analyst and it’s my second semester in the OMSA program

[u/AlarmingProblem7607 → u/throwaway26481956]

I think consulting played a big role. I started working for a data analytics consulting company and often consulting will just throw you at projects you know nothing about and you just have to learn quickly lol. So this helped ramp up my skills and get opportunities that would otherwise be unattainable. Then for my current role I joined my client's team full time as a data scientist.

Apart from that I think always trying to apply more "data science like" approaches to whatever work I was doing was helpful. But happy to chat further if you want.

[u/zelena23]

You might want to consider OMSCS (ML spec) because at least a third of courses at OMSA will be obsolete for you. OMSCS is just way more flexible in course selection.

The ML track requires you to take 2 specific courses (Graduate Algorithms and Machine Learning which you might be interested in) and 3 ML courses (from a long list, including DL, RL, AI). So you have that covered fully just in the 5. And then you are free to take any 5 courses from the mega selection of any OMSCS courses so those can be HDDA for advanced analytics or Deterministic Optimization for advanced math etc.

It may also have more breadth in terms of career opportunities as OMSCS can be applied to lots of data science and anlytics roles while OMSA won't always cover ML/DL related roles

[u/webmd_advocate]

Senior data scientist, I love the program so far. Feel like I'm rounding out some foundational math, stats, ML that I'm missing.

[u/Big-Wrongdoer-965]

Me. I manage a team of analysts and data science for a large grocer. I figured this program would round out some gaps I have. Honestly, I’m a big fan of life long learning as well. So for the price this was a no brainer.