school is cool

[amdilick]

I'm signing up for grad school (yes, AGAIN), at Vanderbilt, since work covers 1 class per term there. There are classes that I would like to take in the data science program, but the classes are all in-person and during the work day. My boss might allow that, but I really don't want to have to drive to campus. So I'm looking at an all-online comp sci masters program, and I need to decide on who to ask for recommendations - I need 3.

I also don’t recall the application process being this in-depth for WGU - at Vanderbilt, it’s essentially the same information as if I was applying for a job plus an added essay of ‘intent’.

Comments

[canyonwalker]

The "Statement of Purpose" essay was standard when I was applying to graduate programs years ago. The admissions faculty are looking to evaluate how well your goals as a student align with what they regard as the strengths of the program and the desired composition of the graduate student body.

I'm curious how you see the ROI of going to graduate school. Even if the tuition is paid by your employer, it's still a good chunk of work-- and several years when paced at one course per term.

[amdilick]

I'm not really interested in any perceived ROI on this, more like adding achievement badges to my sash at this point. I will because I can. I like learning new things. I just finished a masters in October in data analytics, which really helped me better understand all the statistics in the news around COVID, but I'm not sure that I'll pivot to a new job right away because of it. The current market in Nashville for that degree is mostly for support of targeting marketing efforts and that's just not what I want want to do. I want to take additional classes to fill in some gaps in the data analytics courses or more comp sci classes for that masters, and since I can do that for (mostly) free, I may as well.

[canyonwalker]

ROI can take many forms. Financial reward is just one of them. Personal satisfaction is another. It sounds like that's your main motivation.

The fact of most data science jobs being in marketing analytics is not just a Nashville area thing. It's everywhere. It's kind of the dirty secret of data science jobs that the spot in most companies where there's cost-justification to pay for that skill set is in targeting advertising spend based on analyzing incoming results. Of course there are also data scientists working in, say, drug research at pharmaceutical companies, but those employers are typically looking for someone either (a) with industry experience or (b) entry-level.

[culfinriel]

"Intent" - the same thing it is for every other applicant, Pinky. Try to take over the world!

[lilibat]

Sweet.

I wish my dad was still around. He could write you a recommendation because I imagine he'd know you if he were.

[amdilick]

Aw, thanks!