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[Lord_Tony]

Personally, If you really want to build up on tech, my suggestion is try getting an online Masters from the US.

The University of Texas Austin, offers MS in Computer Science, MS AI and MS in Data Science for only 10K USD - fully asynchronous learning. If you're really in a pinch you can get an MS CS in Georgia Tech for under 7K USD.

These are public and accredited universities, with some of them even making the top 50 in the world's best universities -- What I'm trying to say is that they're completely legit, given that tech fresh grads in California earns 100K USD average, you could probably get your money back while doing what you're doing now.

Unlike Canada, the US don't look at age, as long as you can get sponsored you have a shot.

These MS sure will add to one's profile but will they help one get a job?

The Fresh grad making 130K in California or NY generally are mostly hard core coders with a lot of energy and ability to work tirelessly for 15-18 hours daily for many months, I don't feel not every 40 or 50 year old can sustain such jobs. My suggestion is middle aged personnel should attain suitable skills that complements their ability and find jobs where they can sustain and put to use these skills. Where I have seen them flourish is managing either project (PMO) or Architecture or Change/UX etc...

 

[iSaidGoodDay]

These MS sure will add to one's profile but will they help one get a job?

The Fresh grad making 130K in California or NY generally are core coders with a lot of energy and ability to work tirelessly for 15-18 hours daily for many months, I don't feel not every 40 or 50 year old can sustain such jobs. My suggestion is middle aged personnel should attain skills and find jobs where they can sustain and put to use these skills, where I have seen them flourish is managing either project (PMO) or Architecture or Change/UX etc...

Precisely!

I don't think it is easy to get a DS job, not without a good mathematical background. Becoming an entry-level engineer using a degree for big-data doesn't sound like a smart move, it isn't a field where entry-level engineers find success either. No one wants a data scientist to share half-baked insights or an entry-level programmer to write their data pipelines.

 

[Lord_Tony]

Precisely!

I don't think it is easy to get a DS job, not without a good mathematical background. Becoming an entry-level engineer using a degree for big-data doesn't sound like a smart move, it isn't a field where entry-level engineers find success either. No one wants a data scientist to share half-baked insights or an entry-level programmer to write their data pipelines.

When I was in college we called the Data scientists plainly as mathematical statisticians, apart from being college professors they used to work in marketing firms, then stock markets and investing companies became their next frontier. The DS is a more scientific and tool based application of that, I agree probability and statistics are mathematical areas which are not every ones cup of tea.

 

[Windsor37]

These MS sure will add to one's profile but will they help one get a job?

The Fresh grad making 130K in California or NY generally are mostly hard core coders with a lot of energy and ability to work tirelessly for 15-18 hours daily for many months, I don't feel not every 40 or 50 year old can sustain such jobs. My suggestion is middle aged personnel should attain suitable skills that complements their ability and find jobs where they can sustain and put to use these skills. Where I have seen them flourish is managing either project (PMO) or Architecture or Change/UX etc...

It depends on the field, I'm a semiconductor chip designer, and in this field it would be quite challenging to get in without a master's degree, so from that perspective yes a master's degree will definitely increase your chances of getting in.

Since your combining data science and coding and also looking make the big bucks you hear in tech, you'll likely be looking at AI algorithm development. They get paid well, because the demand right now is high and only a few people actually knows how to combine complex mathematical models with optimized software programming. If you're hoping to land a job in FAANG, then a master's in AI will surely help.

BUT if you're looking to do work of the typical software engineer, like QA or software development, well yeah, you'll be putting up long hours, and a bootcamp would be a much better solution for you. What I was saying was since OP was looking to dip their toes in tech might as well dive head on, given that an MS at 10K or 7K might be the same price as few months of bootcamp.

Which brings us back to the US part of the OP's question, if you're not looking to get into the big companies because there's too much competition and you can't keep with their workload, or whatever the reason maybe, then how likely are you to get sponsored by a smaller company? I'm assuming the end goal is to stay in the US. The US has higher wages, lower taxes and a better housing market - that's already 3 reasons why anyone would want to travel south. A Master's from the US and in the right field, will help you land a job, and would even help you in immigration via advanced degree H1B and EB-2. Is worth it? Well, it depends on the person.

 

[Lord_Tony]

Since the original question was from a 40-year-old who wants to start in the USA in Technology, I questioned the feasibility of an experienced person getting a sustainable job based on an MS in an emerging unproved field. A bulk of these emerging fields are like mushrooms that grow overnight and die instantly.

I agree with all the points you say, on those emerging fields however doing a master's to get an entry-level role, apart from the need for dedicated time and boundless energy, is more suitable for a younger person. Not middle-aged personnel who are often burdened by supporting a family.

No, I don't recommend QA or software development either. QA is long gone and too many run-of-the-mill app coders around now without jobs even in America.

The 3 categories that I mentioned i.e. managing either programs/projects(PMO) or Architecture or Change/UX, otherwise even being an Industry-specific principal are pathways that need well-experienced, level level-headed personnel, strategic thinkers, and doers. These skills can't be simply acquired in a BootCamp either, they need continuous learning, practice, certifications, and sustained usage in daily work etc...

Technology keeps changing it was mainframe when I started, then OOI like C++, followed by JAVA,.net, then modern Java, Cloud migrations, Big Data, Machine Learning, LLMs and now the latest Gen AI...but the roles I mentioned have remained for decades, the frameworks and governance mechanisms and tools those personnel use also keep evolving, their latest tools have e Gen AI too . At the end of the day, technology is used to support a business.

 

[PRANIT01]

How is life in Australia when compared to canada ? THIS IS NOT TO DEMOTIVATE ANYONE.I am asking a genuine question.
I mean in terms of weather, Opportunities, Housing,racism,life in smaller cities ,
I am sure atleast someone in this group have lived there .It would be great if you can share your experience.

 

[Windsor37]

Since the original question was from a 40-year-old who wants to start in the USA in Technology, I questioned the feasibility of an experienced person getting a sustainable job based on an MS in an emerging unproved field. A bulk of these emerging fields are like mushrooms that grow overnight and die instantly.

I agree with all the points you say, on those emerging fields however doing a master's to get an entry-level role, apart from the need for dedicated time and boundless energy, is more suitable for a younger person. Not middle-aged personnel who are often burdened by supporting a family.

No, I don't recommend QA or software development either. QA is long gone and too many run-of-the-mill app coders around now without jobs even in America.

But OP also mentioned he feels like "drowning", which sort of implies he's had a hard time coping with Canada's current economic environment, and is looking at the US as an escape hatch -- something I can relate with. Sure you could look at roles that are more fit to what you can currently do but in doing so, you're also also putting yourself out of the radar from big tech companies who can actually sponsor you to the US. Either OP puts up the work to make himself "more sponsorable" in the eyes of US companies (MS/PhD or by any other path, although I feel MS is cheapest and fastest), OR learn to cope with Canada's economy -- pick your poison....... or maybe fly to Mexico and join the other immigrants crossing the border for asylum, that might be faster.. jk.

If he's already a US citizen then I agree with you, why put yourself in all that hassle, if you can instead capitalize in your existing skillset AND leave Canada's economic environment with no legal hurdle. If the OP goes down the bootcamp route, or through a career shift, as a PMO, etc. how does that make him closer to a green card? AI is big right now, and companies are willing to sponsor at least for the time being until we get a fresh wave of MS/PhDs that specialize in it. If OP is looking to migrate south why not consider that bandwagon while it's still hot?

The 3 categories that I mentioned i.e. managing either programs/projects(PMO) or Architecture or Change/UX, otherwise even being an Industry-specific principal are pathways that need well-experienced, level level-headed personnel, strategic thinkers, and doers. These skills can't be simply acquired in a BootCamp either, they need continuous learning, practice, certifications, and sustained usage in daily work etc...

Technology keeps changing it was mainframe when I started, then OOI like C++, followed by JAVA,.net, then modern Java, Cloud migrations, Big Data, Machine Learning, LLMs and now the latest Gen AI...but the roles I mentioned have remained for decades, the frameworks and governance mechanisms and tools those personnel use also keep evolving, their latest tools have e Gen AI too . At the end of the day, technology is used to support a business.

Agreed, it's not about the tech, it's about the making $$$ from tech.

 

[Windsor37]

How is life in Australia when compared to canada ? THIS IS NOT TO DEMOTIVATE ANYONE.I am asking a genuine question.
I mean in terms of weather, Opportunities, Housing,racism,life in smaller cities ,
I am sure atleast someone in this group have lived there .It would be great if you can share your experience.

I have a friend from AU who moved to Canada because it was much easier to get a PR in, and we did talk some of those topics, so this is not a first hand experience:

> Hotter summers, and winters. (IMHO that's better weather than Canada's)
> Pay was better for generic jobs, they can get something like $25-35/hour compared to Canada's $15-20/hour, they weren't specialized in anything particular, so I can't fully say how's the job market in tech or in anything specific.
> Housing is as insane as Vancouver's - that is how it was described to me.
> Racism - very rarely or non-existent

 

[PRANIT01]

I have a friend from AU who moved to Canada because it was much easier to get a PR in, and we did talk some of those topics, so this is not a first hand experience:

> Hotter summers, and winters. (IMHO that's better weather than Canada's)
> Pay was better for generic jobs, they can get something like $25-35/hour compared to Canada's $15-20/hour, they weren't specialized in anything particular, so I can't fully say how's the job market in tech or in anything specific.
> Housing is as insane as Vancouver's - that is how it was described to me.
> Racism - very rarely or non-existent

I know Sydney is damn expensive, Melbourne also those are even worse than torronto and vancover but what about places like brisbane, Adelaide, perth,Canberra and all ,I don't think those are that expensive especially like 30 -45 min away from City ,even if the prices are high as long as the wage offset it ,I don't think it would be an issue and I am not IT I work for supply chain .Weather is the main issue I hate fing winters ,I didn't think it was this bad ,I really underestimated it .
But I saw most pat has weekly 650$ in AUS I was like wow.
I am looking for all options if I am getting a job in US I am done enough is enough, once I get the citizenship I am good .Calgary is not cheap now a days it is almost expensive as torronto, no gain it taking the garbage weather.
But one thing I can tell you is I have never heard anyone complaining about Australia I even searched but still didn't find any. But about canada there is a lot.I don't think canada is a bad place but weather is shi* .Housing is also a main issue and opportunities there is no comparison here especially in calgary. There is no cutting edge tech just real-estate when I see UK ,I am really worried how canada will be in 10 yrs you can't sell real-estate and run the country and stupid f ing liberals are inviting 1.5 mil ,I am an immigrant I don't care who ever come here but 1.5 m in 3 yrs that is way too much .

 

[iSaidGoodDay]

I know Sydney is damn expensive, Melbourne also those are even worse than torronto and vancover but what about places like brisbane, Adelaide, perth,Canberra and all ,I don't think those are that expensive especially like 30 -45 min away from City ,even if the prices are high as long as the wage offset it ,I don't think it would be an issue and I am not IT I work for supply chain .Weather is the main issue I hate fing winters ,I didn't think it was this bad ,I really underestimated it .
But I saw most pat has weekly 650$ in AUS I was like wow.
I am looking for all options if I am getting a job in US I am done enough is enough, once I get the citizenship I am good .Calgary is not cheap now a days it is almost expensive as torronto, no gain it taking the garbage weather.
But one thing I can tell you is I have never heard anyone complaining about Australia I even searched but still didn't find any. But about canada there is a lot.I don't think canada is a bad place but weather is shi* .Housing is also a main issue and opportunities there is no comparison here especially in calgary. There is no cutting edge tech just real-estate when I see UK ,I am really worried how canada will be in 10 yrs you can't sell real-estate and run the country and stupid f ing liberals are inviting 1.5 mil ,I am an immigrant I don't care who ever come here but 1.5 m in 3 yrs that is way too much .

Is this your first winter in Calgary? I was expecting extreme winters for my first year, but weather in Calgary has been so nice this winter till today. It's going to get very bad for the next 2 weeks, but I don't think it has been bad so far - it was the warmest winter in years(if not decades). I hadn't had a chance to take out my Parka yet, wore my other jacket maybe twice so far(today was the 2nd day), and mainly used not-so-warm-clothing so far.

 

[PRANIT01]

Is this your first winter in Calgary? I was expecting extreme winters for my first year, but weather in Calgary has been so nice this winter till today. It's going to get very bad for the next 2 weeks, but I don't think it has been bad so far - it was the warmest winter in years(if not decades). I hadn't had a chance to take out my Parka yet, wore my other jacket maybe twice so far(today was the 2nd day), and mainly used not-so-warm-clothing so far.

Nope my 2nd winter but you are right,this winter was good but the ptsd feom previous one was enough. Lol

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

Nope my 2nd winter but you are right,this winter was good but the ptsd feom previous one was enough. Lol

Pranit, how are you? How’s your supply chain career going in Calgary? I personally did not see much of a market there. Besides O&G companies, there’s no good companies for supply chain. Except maybe CP and consulting

 

[PRANIT01]

Pranit, how are you? How’s your supply chain career going in Calgary? I personally did not see much of a market there. Besides O&G companies, there’s no good companies for supply chain. Except maybe CP and consulting

I am good .Yes you are right there are not many good companies , the company I work for was good now that is not the case .If I get a job in torronto I will move because calgary is also expensive,It used to be cheap but not now.

 

[Windsor37]

I know Sydney is damn expensive, Melbourne also those are even worse than torronto and vancover but what about places like brisbane, Adelaide, perth,Canberra and all ,I don't think those are that expensive especially like 30 -45 min away from City ,even if the prices are high as long as the wage offset it ,I don't think it would be an issue and I am not IT I work for supply chain .Weather is the main issue I hate fing winters ,I didn't think it was this bad ,I really underestimated it .
But I saw most pat has weekly 650$ in AUS I was like wow.
I am looking for all options if I am getting a job in US I am done enough is enough, once I get the citizenship I am good .Calgary is not cheap now a days it is almost expensive as torronto, no gain it taking the garbage weather.
But one thing I can tell you is I have never heard anyone complaining about Australia I even searched but still didn't find any. But about canada there is a lot.I don't think canada is a bad place but weather is shi* .Housing is also a main issue and opportunities there is no comparison here especially in calgary. There is no cutting edge tech just real-estate when I see UK ,I am really worried how canada will be in 10 yrs you can't sell real-estate and run the country and stupid f ing liberals are inviting 1.5 mil ,I am an immigrant I don't care who ever come here but 1.5 m in 3 yrs that is way too much .

Agreed, not very much are complaining about AU. Even my friend is contemplating to go back once they get their Canadian citizenship sorted out. I did consider AU, but I work in chip design which very much concentrated in the US right now, and AU has virtually no opportunities in the field.

 

[PRANIT01]

Agreed, not very much are complaining about AU. Even my friend is contemplating to go back once they get their Canadian citizenship sorted out. I did consider AU, but I work in chip design which very much concentrated in the US right now, and AU has virtually no opportunities in the field.

The bright side about your field is pay is amazing but opportunities are scarce the issue with supply chain is pay is garbage that is what I am trying to switch fields to correct supply chain or Operations excellence and Continuous Improvement in manufacturing, that is why I am upgrading myself by taking a lot of certifications once I reach a certain level I will move to torronto and after that out .