Machine Learning

[Mwera]

Hi There. I am 29 years old and I am willing in the future to get into Machine Learning. My plan is to do a bsc in applied mathematics and computer science and probably also some Post graduate degree, specializing in Machine Learning. Is this a good plan.How big is Machine Learning in South Africa and how good is the career growing here in SA? I am not too old to start a degree in Computer Science?

 

[cguy]

It’s definitely a hot topic, although it is much hotter overseas. Being skilled in this area would be a good way to either go overseas or work for an overseas company.

 

[CheddarByte]

ML & as a wider field, AI, it's very much up and coming within the financial sector as well as several other niche private industries here in south-africa - the universities are mostly not doing a good job of upskilling through computer science though.

Wits & UCT is 100% the way to go if you can.

There's a massive skills shortage for AI here & it pays very well.

 

[axsis]

Hi There. I am 29 years old and I am willing in the future to get into Machine Learning. My plan is to do a bsc in applied mathematics and computer science and probably also some Post graduate degree, specializing in Machine Learning. Is this a good plan.How big is Machine Learning in South Africa and how good is the career growing here in SA? I am not too old to start a degree in Computer Science?

It's a growing field but you also may just end up in academia so be sure you understand that potential. Academia can be good for some people but it's its own kettle of fish. I'd suggest reaching out to some of the staff at universities who specialise in machine learning, that's often a good way to gauge where things stand.

Do you actually like or have a passion for programming/software development, and Data, or do you just think it's where there's money? If you don't know, do some tutorials (in python since you want to get into machine learning) and see if this is what you can imagine doing every day for 8-16 hours a day.

A degree is a good long term move, especially honours because other countries view BSc as subpar.

With the advent of more remote work, there's more options open to you but the start will always be difficult...

 

[Mwera]

It’s definitely a hot topic, although it is much hotter overseas. Being skilled in this area would be a good way to either go overseas or work for an overseas company.

That would be a dream coming true

 

[Mwera]

ML & as a wider field, AI, it's very much up and coming within the financial sector as well as several other niche private industries here in south-africa - the universities are mostly not doing a good job of upskilling through computer science though.

Wits & UCT is 100% the way to go if you can.

There's a massive skills shortage for AI here & it pays very well.

Thanks

 

[Mwera]

It's a growing field but you also may just end up in academia so be sure you understand that potential. Academia can be good for some people but it's its own kettle of fish. I'd suggest reaching out to some of the staff at universities who specialise in machine learning, that's often a good way to gauge where things stand.

Do you actually like or have a passion for programming/software development, and Data, or do you just think it's where there's money? If you don't know, do some tutorials (in python since you want to get into machine learning) and see if this is what you can imagine doing every day for 8-16 hours a day.

A degree is a good long term move, especially honours because other countries view BSc as subpar.

With the advent of more remote work, there's more options open to you but the start will always be difficult...

Personally I enjoy programming and Mathematics....This coming June holidays I am actually planning to take some tutorials in python and brush up a bit in algebra

 

[Mwera]

Can I ask is my age a stumbling block as I am thinking to pursue a degree as from next year?

 

[cguy]

Can I ask is my age a stumbling block as I am thinking to pursue a degree as from next year?

I wouldn’t say so. I’m nearly 20 years older than you, and I’m still doing this work. You’ve got a long career ahead of you still.

 

[Mwera]

I wouldn’t say so. I’m nearly 20 years older than you, and I’m still doing this work. You’ve got a long career ahead of you still.

Wow That's great, so you say I still have opportunities out there?

 

[Johnatan56]

Wow That's great, so you say I still have opportunities out there?

Easily, at uni I had quite a few in late 20s, in part time there were supposedly a lot 30/40s as well. Once you got to honors and up, it basically went average age late 20/early 30s, and at masters most are 30/40s.

For ML, you'll basically study to masters level currently, though can probably mess with it at honors, especially with thesis.

It's a very broad topic, and even the technical schools have courses at advanced diploma and up with it, it's the current trend.

 

[cguy]

Wow That's great, so you say I still have opportunities out there?

Yes.