Machine Learning Engineers

The software firm SAS offer an excellent primer on machine learning at https://www.sas.com/en_us/insights/analytics/machine-learning.html. It’s a good place to start to learn about the various types and uses of machine learning. Additionally, YouTube offers videos on AI and machine learning, including profiles of machine learning engineers.  

One of the best ways to prepare for this career is to learn how to code. The most popular programming languages for MLEs are Python, R, and Java. Other popular programming languages include C++, C, JavaScript, Scala, and Julia. The following online learning platforms offer free or low-cost classes in coding: Code Cademy (https://www.codecademy.com), edX (https://www.edx.org), Coursera (https://www.coursera.org), and Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org).

Participate in computer science, mathematics, AI, and machine learning exploratory programs that are offered by colleges and universities, high schools, and park districts. New York University’s Tandon Summer Program in Machine Learning is open to high school students who have some experience with a coding language and who have completed Algebra 2 or the equivalent. Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Princeton University, and Stanford University have also offered AI and machine learning programs in recent years. If these schools aren’t located in your area, contact colleges and universities in your city or region to see what types of programs are available. Here are a few other summer programs:

• iDTech Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning camp https://www.idtech.com/courses/artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning
• Digital Media Academy Intro to Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning with Python: https://www.digitalmediaacademy.org/programming-app-development-camps/ai-machine-learning
• AI4ALL (various programs): https://ai-4-all.org/summer-programs

Participate in open data science, programming, AI/machine learning, and related competitions for high school, students, college students, and professionals. Here are a few competitions to check out:

• World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth: https://www.waicy.org
• Kaggle: https://www.kaggle.com
• American Statistical Association (ASA) DataFest: http://ww2.amstat.org/education/datafest
• Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Management of Data Student Research Competition: https://www.acm.org/education/student-research-competition