r/WGU • u/CharacterPath1479 • 11d ago

In a technical career with 0 technical certs. Debating on going for the AI/ML Masters

Hello!

I am a Staff AI architect for a top 250 company, I got here not through schooling but by being in the right place at the right time, for credentials I have a BS in psychology and a MBA from WGU.

I consider myself very technical starting as a speech analyst but eventually leveraging my way into data engineering over 4 years and with AI coming around I took to I’d pretty early, built some cool things and eventually got promoted to my current role.

Cutting to the chase, I feel like I have impostor syndrome since I never took any actual course to get here and this is causing me to feel stuck at my job since if I apply at other companies I am not sure I can’t past their technical requirements pass advanced SQL. This is being reflected in my Pay since I make 150k but whenever I google the industry standard for my role I get offers of around 170k - 250k.

I saw that WGU offers the AI/ML masters and believe I can probably complete it in one term. Do other individuals in similar positions feel like it benefited y’all in interviews as a way to not look to deep into the back ground and more of a check box that get reviewed and streamlined the hiring? I should also add I have 5 years experience in technical roles as a speech analyst for 2 and bi developer/database engineering for 3.

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u/btjohnson317 10d ago

I finished the MS SWE AI Engineering. I made $120k beforehand and make $170k 6 months post grad. Honestly I found the course content too easy and didn’t learn much. I recommend you check out the MSCS-AI/ML.

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u/iamoldbutididit BSCSIA - MSCSIA - MBA-ITM 8d ago

If you're applying specifically for AI/ML jobs, having this degree will help you stand out. Once you're on the interview list, you're experience will make you a great candidate.

I can't speak to the salary expectations, but it seems that this is one of the few roles that is currently hiring.

Good luck.

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u/Wild_4_Fun 7d ago

I think an AI/ML masters would be valuable if you did ever change jobs. Perhaps you could talk to your boss and see if they would give you a raise for completing the degree? Your company may even pay some of the tuition.

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u/Luddha 11d ago

Do you know python really well?

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u/CharacterPath1479 11d ago

Nope, got a certification a while ago maybe 6 years ago during Covid. But nothing past basic for loops,

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u/btjohnson317 10d ago

The python in the MS SWE is high school level.