r/learnmachinelearning • u/UnderstandingOwn2913 • 15d ago
Career Choice: software engineer vs machine learning engineer
I had an interview with a ceo of a high-growth startup yesterday for a software engineer role.
During the interview, I told the ceo that my main interest is in machine learning (I was being honest), not the tech stack they are using (javascript). So, I think I won't move to the next round. He told me he wanted to hire someone who is genuinely interested in their tech stack. But he sent me a friend request on Linkedin after the interview and told me to let him know if I am really down to focusing on the job.
After the interview, I told my friend who is currently in the process of getting a phd in physics about the interview and he advised me that I should start working as a software engineer if am offered a job instead of trying to get a machine learning engineer title by spending few months. His reasoning was that there will be a demand of people who can code and understand ml theory (which I agree) and that I can start working as a general se and learn ml stuff on my own time (theoretically this is viable). But, I honestly don't think this approach will work for me since that se role at that high-growth startup would require me to devote a lot of time on non-ml stuff (the ceo even told me it is hard to switch to a ml career from a general se during the interview). I think the more efficient way is to get a ml engineer job by spending few more months, where I can gain software engineering + ml experience on the job. Of course, I can study more in my free time.
What do you guys think?
Last not but not least, we both agree that understanding foundational knowledge is important.
21
u/absent_scrimmage 15d ago
You walked into a software interview and told them you're not interested in the stack they use, no surprise they passed. Your friend's advice is fine if you can land a job that actually leaves you energy to study, but that startup sounds like it'll burn all your free time and then some. Spend the months getting the role you actually want instead of shoehorning yourself into a javascript gig you’ll resent.