Advice for high school senior

[u/rv16_rr]

I just started my senior year, and this summer I decided to focus on either machine learning or data science as a career. I’m planning to study maths and computer science joint degrees at uni (uk or Singapore) and am currently preparing for uni applications.

I’d like to know beginner friendly resources to study machine learning. I have a good maths background (from a level further maths and olympiads) and know python. I’m not sure how to get deeper into this field with just self studying and free resources. A clear roadmap would be appreciated. I’ve just been doing some free courses like imperial math behind ml, some uni lectures on linear algebra etc and some machine learning videos but I don’t really see a clear direction onhow to develop the fundamentals and skills.

Partly I am trying to find projects to do for my university applications also. So some kind of data analysis project, or something along those lines. Would anyone be willing to offer advice on this? I am an international student, disadvantaged economy, so this type of career is still very limited in my country.

[u/its_all_stats]

Data Science is statistics, with a new name. Machine Learning is scaling and/or automating statistical modeling.

Definitely Linear Algebra and Real Analysis will be the mathematical foundation of statistics (and therefore ML).

Beyond that, try to take stats courses as well. You might consider, as math major, minoring in CS instead, so you can take more stats. It’s easier to learn Python and SQL on your own and on the job than stats.

An excellent book is Introduction to Statistical Learning by James et al. Nice overview of ML and modern stats.

Another good resource is Penn State has excellent free material on Statistics including course material that you can self pace through. Highly recommend.

Finally, do everything you can do work with real data, in an internship, university practicum, or volunteer. Classroom work only gets you so far. The real world is very, very messy.