Moving from Software Engineering to Machine Learning

These are 5 tips to keep in mind when switching from software engineering to machine learning. As a full time software engineer, it’s difficult to spare time on the mathematical theory and algorithm internals of ML.

The dropout rate in MOOQs is staggeringly high. I think a large part of this has to do with the motivation we are forced to synthesise. On top of this, very theoretical topics without visible results bore people us.

Here are my 5 tips to starting ML:

1) Avoid the hype.
If you see any videos which have more substance than value, avoid them like the plague. You may as well watch a soap opera for all the ML they offer.

2) Don’t dig deep prematurely
As engineers, we are inherently curious about how stuff works. But to make progress, we need to also have results. Don’t dig too deep into the complex math or principles behind ML algorithms at the start.
Input – ML box – Output. Now try reading the theory.

3. Play to your strengths
When you are learning something new, try and relate that to something you already did. Memory pathways are stronger when hit repeatedly: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/amnesia1.htm

4. Choose reliable sources
The links are below. And remember tip number one.

5. Code
Coding the problems is, well, everything. Kaggle has a great set of kernels to try out. The educative course also does a splendid job at focusing on coding.

Link to the Educative Course:
https://www.educative.io/collection/6083138522447872/5629499534213120?affiliate_id=4793322061168640
Use the coupon code “GS-ML20” to get a 20% discount. It’s valid for the first 50 users only 🙂

Reference Links:
https://eng.uber.com/michelangelo/
https://eng.uber.com/argos/

https://research.fb.com/videos/?cat=3
https://machinelearningmastery.com/blog/
sentdex Machine Learning Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQVvvaa0QuDfKTOs3Keq_kaG2P55YRn5v
Luis Serrano playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs8w1Cdi-zvY9ICoYqu1XV0YoTQgShXw2
Manuel Amunategui Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igPQ-pI8Bjo&list=PL1bwQOzMbG0uFTd3jUOjq9Kl17HkdokGZ
Alex Smola’s Quora answer: https://qr.ae/TWIHhK

Preparing for design Interviews? Check out the “Grokking the system design interview” course:
https://www.educative.io/collection/5668639101419520/5649050225344512?affiliate_id=4793322061168640

System Design Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMCXHnjXnTnvo6alSjVkgxV-VH6EPyvoX

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