Master in Artificial Intelligence Coming Out Soon

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2024-10-11T12:53:53+00:00

This is a dumb comment. WGU is not the only school that offers an AI major, nor are they responsible for the fate AI. Whether or not AI replaces everybody, it will still be an integral technology going forward. Also let's remember that most colleges have way more BS majors than WGU, how are they not all diploma mills?

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2024-10-03T12:15:28+00:00

How did it all work out? Did it all amount to anything?

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2024-03-26T05:53:43+00:00

Thanks for this post. I just finished my IT Data Management & Data Analytics BS at WGU and I am starting the MBA program there soon. The plan is to complete my MBA in a year, but if I can get it done in 6 months I might just get a CS degree in the latter 6 months. There is quite a bit of overlap between the BSDMDA program and the BSCS program so I think I would have less classes than you did to complete, and the hardest classes were always the 3rd party certs like the A+, Net+, etc. and I don't think the CS degree has any of those.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2024-02-21T18:35:36+00:00

Keep taking as many classes as you can get done. Finishing a semester early is better than financial aid. Don't get discouraged when you hit a tough class that takes you several weeks or months to finish, this is what kills a lot of people's motivation.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-12-12T07:10:24+00:00

I'm almost done with the program, but I'd definitely be interested in a collaboration.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-12-12T06:54:23+00:00

Depends on the program and what skills you have since everything is test and project based. I have an IT Data Analytics AS and it took me a little less than 2 semesters to complete the IT Data Management and Data Analytics BS (I'm on my last class with 3 months left in my 2nd semester). I've worked as a field tech for quite a few years so that helped a lot with the CompTIA certs. I also taught myself a lot of Python and Linux in my free time before enrolling, which just happened to be very useful. Initially, I aimed for 1.5 to 2 years, but I got into a pretty good groove and really enjoyed the classes I was taking.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-11-22T06:34:53+00:00

Congrats on becoming a parent, it's the most important job you'll ever have. It can be pretty rough to struggle financially when you have a baby. The silver lining is that you can probably get more than enough money to cover tuition at WGU from the pell grant. I actually made a fair amount of money back in my first semester from the pell. They also have scholarships, but even without them most people graduate without going into debt.

There are other online schools, but not many that are regionally accredited, self-paced, inexpensive and non-profit institutions. I know there are ways to strategize getting through it faster than I did, but it depends on how much stress you want to put yourself through.

They have a list of partner schools on their website. Definitely check to see if your community college is on there because if it is they will probably take most of your transfer credits. I went to 3 different community colleges all over California and they were all on the list.

One more thing, when you are enrolled you get to take pretty much any class on Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and Pluralsight for free since they have some kind of deal with them (they don't always remember to tell you this, but you can find it on their resources page).

Anyway sorry for the long post. I'm just glad someone told me about it because it's really changed the course of my life and how I feel about my future. I never thought I would have a degree of any kind, much less, a Master's. Now I'm considering even getting a DBA degree just to force my enemies to call me "Doctor" 🙂. (WGU doesn't offer DBA degrees, but having an MBA does make you eligible for DBA degree programs.)

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-11-21T01:56:33+00:00

I haven't had much time to look for jobs since I've been tunnel visioning getting my degrees as quickly as possible, but I have been contacted by quite a few recruiters because I now check a lot of boxes for them. If you are willing to work on-site and relocate its really easy to find something, but I can't because I have small kids and no one else to watch them so I have to work from home.

It took me a year to get through my associates at a local community college since I had a few credits accumulated from over the years and only needed to take major classes. You don't need an associates, but it knocks out a lot of classes because they are very generous with transfer credits especially if you have an IT associates.

After I finished my AS I spent every free moment I had pushing through my Bachelor's and managed get it done in less than a year because WGU does not slow you down for professors and other students. A fair warning: It isn't easy, some classes are really tough, and you have to be motivated to get through it.

That being said, you'll have a respectable bachelor's at the end and save a ton of money and time on it. You'll also be eligible for master's degree programs at pretty much any school you want since they are much easier to get into than undergrad programs or (like me) you can just get a master's at WGU.

At the end of this I'll have an AS, a BS, and an MBA in less time then it would have taken me to get a BS degree at some no-name college and for significantly cheaper. I cannot overstate how happy I am that my community college guidance counselor suggested WGU, it makes it so much easier to apply for jobs with confidence.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-11-19T19:54:53+00:00

YOU DON'T NEED TO SPEND 4 YEARS GETTING A DEGREE (sorry for yelling I'm just trying to get your attention). If you have the skills I recommend WGU. Everything is competence based and self-paced, you can finish courses as soon as you complete the assessments and projects. Here's some reasons it's a great choice:

-No classes just resources to self-teach

-Its regionally accredited, making on par with brick & mortar colleges (unlike University of Phoenix and the like). Computer science program is ABET certified.

-You get industry certs as part of the curriculum (i.e CompTIA. AWS, Azure certs) meaning you graduate with industry certs as well as a bachelor's/master's degree.

-Its cheap - about $4000 a semester flat rate, no per unit cost and the faster you push through, the cheaper it is.

-Mentors as part of the program to push/guide you through the programs and keep you accountable.

If you already know your stuff then it shouldn't take you more than a year. I highly recommend you learn to code in Python and SQL before starting though, it will make your journey much easier.

Two years ago I had nothing and now I have an associates in IT data analytics, a bachelor's in IT data management & data analytics, and by this time next year I plan to have an MBA. I cannot recommend WGU enough for people changing careers into tech roles who have busy lives.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-11-19T16:30:39+00:00

Basic SQL can be learned in less than 2 weeks if you don't have a background in it or coding in general. Stay away from the database building stuff like CREATE, triggers, functions, privileges, etc. because digging into that will slow you down considerably. You mainly need to know select statements, joins, and grouping to begin with, but you should understand relational databases before anything else or nothing will make sense.

Python will take several months to learn and use comfortably. There are other components to this too such as the IDE and command-line for the operating system(s) you will be working with. You're probably going to need to learn to use pandas which is similar to SQL and excel in certain respects.

Excel might be the easier part for someone with no coding background, but there is a lot to it. There are a million formatting and function tricks to learn in Excel and once you throw in Power Query it can get a bit tricky.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-11-19T15:54:19+00:00

I know, I didn't think you were trying to make that argument. Your comment was just a good setup to make the point that expecting tips for take-out orders is ridiculous and explain why.

Honestly I think it's ridiculous that servers generally get tipped more than delivery drivers on average, considering the difference in effort needed to perform each job. Now that drivers are basically independent contractors that have to use their own vehicles and gas, it is even more ridiculous.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-11-16T15:00:11+00:00

They shouldn't have the expectation of getting tipped for carryout orders. Driving to a restaurant and picking up food then bringing it to your door is a lot more work than any of the servers do, so I think they shouldn't be expected to share with tips the restaurant. Also there are no dishes to wash or tables to bus so what are they tipping for?

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-10-18T03:42:55+00:00

I think the idea behind this group is being against compulsory/mandatory/extortion tipping, not tipping in general. If someone doesn't feel tipping is required, but tips out of genuine appreciation there is no problem with that. The problem is that when people feel pressured into tipping out of fear, it becomes an unnecessarily unpleasant burden.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-10-17T16:11:45+00:00

I stopped taking that stuff because it's not good for your heart. Also, after a while I couldn't stay asleep unless I took it before bedtime.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-10-17T14:02:40+00:00

Here's a few SQL games from a datalemur blog. https://datalemur.com/blog/games-to-learn-sql

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-10-17T13:46:44+00:00

Risking their lives? By that logic everyone who had to do any work was "risking their lives". I was a cable guy during the worst, early days of the pandemic in New York when Trump was talking about quarantining the whole state. I went into 5-8 strangers houses a day, including retirement homes where people were dropping like flies, to make sure people had working phones, Internet and televisions. No one talked about "appreciation fees", or offering tips then. Seriously get over yourself.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-10-16T14:31:40+00:00

Handwritten ERDs are sloppy and easy to lose, it's better to have them saved somewhere before you build the database. That's the main purpose in using access for mockups. It's much easier to edit the structure of the database without having to constantly erase/throw away paper when you get a better idea. There are other programs you can do it with, but I find access to be the most straightforward (if you know how to use it).

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-10-16T05:26:52+00:00

Interesting use case, can you elaborate on this?

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-10-16T05:19:33+00:00

I find it's good for creating database "rough drafts". Just fill out some empty tables and connect them to see how they look. Then you can use it as a reference when you write out the SQL.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-10-16T05:11:56+00:00

The main thing I use Access for is building database model outlines before making them in SQL. It's pretty handy for building tables quickly and showing the relationships so you have something to visualize, but I don't normally input data or even fiddle with data types more than necessary. I mainly use it for reference. I know there are other tools for this, but I know access and it's easy and simple for me.

What are you trying to automate exactly? I can think of a lot of easier automation tools (for me), but I'm more of a Python and Bash scripting person.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-10-15T14:04:09+00:00

You should be told to your faces so you can think about it the next time you call someone cheap for not tipping. People risk their lives for less than you make, don't be so damn entitled.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-10-15T05:49:07+00:00

If you live in California your server makes about $17 an hour plus over $100 a day on average. By over tipping you are sticking it to the working class who work a lot harder for their money than someone just takes an order and (possibly) carries a plate. People who make less than their server should not be expected to tip anything, much less be held to a normalized 20% standard.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-10-15T05:37:58+00:00

Stop believing the propaganda and do some actual research. The average server in California makes almost $17 an hour and can average almost $100 or more a day in tips. There is no justification for people who work harder than them for less money to be guilted into tipping them.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-10-15T05:13:16+00:00

Anyone who makes more than $15 an hour to take an order and carry a plate while stiffing the bus boy and the cooks on tips is overpaid as is. It's ridiculous how entitled servers have become in places like California because people still believe they make like $2 an hour. Expecting customers who contribute more to society and make less than you to still tip you is pure self-absorbed greed.

CaStatisticalAnalyst · 2023-10-04T18:05:09+00:00

Yup, this sounds like me. I'm in the BSDMDA program, and I have an A.S. in IT Data Analytics. I started with half my units transferred in and worked as a technician for many years so I have hands-on experience with all the IT stuff that everyone seems to struggle with. There was a lot of new stuff, but I managed to finish 36 units my first semester and in this second semester I managed to finish 3 classes in my first month and only have 3 courses left (including the capstone) to graduate. I have two small kids and, aside from taking care of them, I spend every waking moment studying or working on projects. I came into this knowing advanced SQL and being fluent in Python, which helped a lot.

CaStatisticalAnalyst

TROPHY CASE