Statistics MS/PhD vs job

trojansc82

trojansc82

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I'm applying to grad schools for statistics and there is a possibility I will get funding for a few schools. I know that there is a high demand for statisticians now and it will continue to grow.

I also have an opportunity to start working as a programmer. I know if I start I will probably put off grad school for a while(maybe never go).

Which do you guys recommend?
 
trojansc82 said:
I'm applying to grad schools for statistics and there is a possibility I will get funding for a few schools. I know that there is a high demand for statisticians now and it will continue to grow.

I also have an opportunity to start working as a programmer. I know if I start I will probably put off grad school for a while(maybe never go).

Which do you guys recommend?
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I don't know about stats, but I do know about software. Where will you work as a programmer? I live in the Bay Area, and here is what I think:

1. Average salary: 120k
2. Ceiling(assuming you're not opening a company): 250k
 
TheGauntlet7 said:
I don't know about stats, but I do know about software. Where will you work as a programmer? I live in the Bay Area, and here is what I think:

1. Average salary: 120k
2. Ceiling(assuming you're not opening a company): 250k
Click to expand...

Yeah that sounds about right. My back ground is mathematics but I really like programming. Stats is cool but I've had a low salary for a long time. I want to start making serious money, and I feel like a stats degree will take at least another 2 years for an MS(where I could make 160k instead).

I would work in Chicago or the west coast.
 
trojansc82 said:
Yeah that sounds about right. My back ground is mathematics but I really like programming. Stats is cool but I've had a low salary for a long time. I want to start making serious money, and I feel like a stats degree will take at least another 2 years for an MS(where I could make 160k instead).

I would work in Chicago or the west coast.
Click to expand...

Most Graduate degrees are part time.
 
trojansc82 said:
Yeah that sounds about right. My back ground is mathematics but I really like programming. Stats is cool but I've had a low salary for a long time. I want to start making serious money, and I feel like a stats degree will take at least another 2 years for an MS(where I could make 160k instead).
I would work in Chicago or the west coast.
Click to expand...

You should take into account what you like doing more too. It's not difficult getting a 160k job in software. It'll be with your background as a first job, but you can get there.

What are you making now and how much do you realistically want to make short term and long term
 
TheGauntlet7 said:
You should take into account what you like doing more too. It's not difficult getting a 160k job in software. It'll be with your background as a first job, but you can get there.

What are you making now and how much do you realistically want to make short term and long term
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45-50k, want to make 75-80k starting late next summer or early fall. I'm pretty much guaranteed to make that after a stats MS, but I don't want to wait until 2015. I would like to make 250k eventually.
 
trojansc82 said:
45-50k, want to make 75-80k starting late next summer or early fall. I'm pretty much guaranteed to make that after a stats MS, but I don't want to wait until 2015. I would like to make 250k eventually.
Click to expand...

If you get funding, like you said you might, go for the MS. Don't worry about the 2 years you lose, you will make up for it in this field.
 
trojansc82 said:
45-50k, want to make 75-80k starting late next summer or early fall. I'm pretty much guaranteed to make that after a stats MS, but I don't want to wait until 2015. I would like to make 250k eventually.
Click to expand...

45-50k? No offense but that sounds low. Does Chitown have a low cost of living? If you want to make 75k in the Bay Area just get on welfare here lol j/k

Seriously though, I make around 100k and it's barely enough.

I don't know how good your programming skills are or where you did your undergrad but there are plenty of entry level programming jobs to be had here at 75k.
 
TheGauntlet7 said:
45-50k? No offense but that sounds low. Does Chitown have a low cost of living? If you want to make 75k in the Bay Area just get on welfare here lol j/k

Seriously though, I make around 100k and it's barely enough.

I don't know how good your programming skills are or where you did your undergrad but there are plenty of entry level programming jobs to be had here at 75k.
Click to expand...

I'm in Japan now(my girlfriend is Japanese).

I came here because I had a year off before beginning my stats PhD or MS. My programming skills are not great but I've got a decent understanding of C++ and Java. I'm doing Dev Bootcamp next summer to get solid programming skills and I'm debating whether or not to take the programming or stats route.
 
trojansc82 said:
I'm in Japan now(my girlfriend is Japanese).

I came here because I had a year off before beginning my stats PhD or MS. My programming skills are not great but I've got a decent understanding of C++ and Java. I'm doing Dev Bootcamp next summer to get solid programming skills and I'm debating whether or not to take the programming or stats route.
Click to expand...

What's dev bootcamp?
 
I think Sherdog is a piss poor place to look for serious career advice from knowledgeable people.
 
trojansc82 said:
I'm guessing you believe it is. If that's true, stats may be a better route. Especially since Biostatisticians are making serious dough right now.
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Hmm, I believe those jobs are hard to come by though. I wouldn't do what the other guy said, he probably doesn't know Bay Area salaries.

Finally, sherdog may not be the best place to get career advice, try sites like glassdoor or indeed to get an idea of salaries. Maybe I'm a little biased because me and my friends all graduated from very good universities but I really don't think 160k is difficult to come by if you're good.
 
TheQu said:
I think Sherdog is a piss poor place to look for serious career advice from knowledgeable people.
Click to expand...

Maybe, but more often than not "legitimate sites" tend to be flooded with condescending pricks.
 
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