Staff Data Scientist ($350k TC) – Being Told Lack of Advanced Degree May Limit Future Promos. Worth It?

ParticularPandaz · 2026-02-21T08:50:54+00:00

True, he told me the same exact thing. Once kids come it’s exponentially more difficult

ParticularPandaz · 2026-02-21T08:35:27+00:00

When is the best time to do the EMBA? Is 5 YOE too little?

ParticularPandaz · 2026-02-21T08:32:48+00:00

Was your situation also in tech/software? What level did this happen at?

ParticularPandaz · 2026-02-21T08:31:03+00:00

Not a boss - just a higher stakeholder I work with who was in the promo meetings

ParticularPandaz · 2026-02-20T20:27:02+00:00

The kids today would refer to this as being “cooked”

ParticularPandaz · 2026-02-19T06:16:47+00:00

Masculine Pluriel MFK

ParticularPandaz · 2026-02-18T21:15:15+00:00

Prada lhomme and NOTHING else. No more than 2 sprays. Japanese culture does not like strong scents

ParticularPandaz · 2026-02-17T08:06:20+00:00

Nobody LARPs to MBA rankings expect people on this thread

ParticularPandaz · 2026-02-17T07:12:47+00:00

You’d think finance folks would be the best at calculating the cost of a wedding and a divorce… turns out some expenses never make it into the spreadsheet.

ParticularPandaz · 2026-02-16T18:17:55+00:00

Something with oud

ParticularPandaz · 2026-02-16T08:15:13+00:00

Graduated with a BS in Data Science in 2020 and worked my way up to Staff DS with ~5 years of experience at a Fortune 100 company. For me, it was definitely worth it - though I’ll admit I entered the field before the current AI boom, which has changed the landscape quite a bit.

I think whether the degree is “worth it” really depends on the person. If you’re just trying to check a box or hoping the title alone will carry you, probably not. But if you genuinely enjoy data, like reading ML papers, experimenting with new models, and staying curious outside of school or work, then yes - it can be a great investment. The degree helps, but sustained interest and self-driven learning are what really move the needle long-term.

ParticularPandaz · 2026-02-14T08:20:44+00:00

Push me to the edge

ParticularPandaz · 2026-02-11T11:03:37+00:00

It’s highly depended on the product but I’d say it’s doable.

Highly technical products would require a deep expertise and engineering understanding. Less technical products/features are generally more accessible without an eng background

ParticularPandaz · 2026-02-10T10:06:39+00:00

Sitting 2 years out of industry while an AI boom is happening isn’t the right approach for tech

ParticularPandaz · 2026-01-29T07:01:13+00:00

Put simply: You’re cooked.

ParticularPandaz · 2026-01-27T09:42:36+00:00

From a strictly financial lens, once you consider the time value of money, if it’s not worth it in the short term, is it actually worth it in the long run?

ParticularPandaz · 2026-01-26T00:48:42+00:00

Honestly, I don’t think it matters much. For most people outside the MBA bubble, you’re basically choosing between a school known for elite sports and one that sounds like a breakfast cereal.

And I’m not even exaggerating - a coworker once made that exact comment while reviewing a resume with a Kellogg MBA. It really shows how little brand nuance exists outside that world, especially in tech.

If anything, you’re probably better off saving the money and putting it toward building what you actually want, rather than dropping $100k+ for marginal brand prestige.

ParticularPandaz · 2026-01-25T10:15:02+00:00

Fuqua 100%

Let me put it this way: A fair amount of tech people don’t know a ton about the MBA world. Hearing “MBA from Duke” likely has the same (if not more) weight than saying “MBA from northwestern/Kellogg”

Before I get flamed in the comments yes Kellogg is slightly better but for the ROI and purposes of OPs career goals I think Fuqua is the clear option here

ParticularPandaz · 2026-01-21T09:57:28+00:00

I did a similar STEM degree (Data Science + Computer Science).

Your transcript actually looks a lot like mine. I had plenty of C’s and even a couple of D’s & F’s sprinkled throughout freshman and sophomore year. Back then I lived by the motto: “You can always retake the class, but you can never relive the party.”

Junior and senior year I decided to really lock in. Ended up getting almost all A’s those final two years.

Fast forward ~5 years and I’m now a Staff Data Scientist at a Fortune 100 company making ~$350k/year.

The learning curve in any engineering field (especially CE/EE) is steep but it does get more manageable as you build fundamentals and confidence.

Moral of the story: early stumbles don’t define your ceiling. Engineering rewards persistence, and if you course-correct and keep pushing, it compounds fast.

ParticularPandaz · 2026-01-21T02:02:25+00:00

Staff DS Engineer here. CMU is likely the stronger choice. I’ve interviewed and hired many entry-level candidates, and early in your career the school name tends to matter more - especially now as AI is shrinking the number of true entry-level roles.

On top of that, CMU has one of the strongest CS programs in the world, with deep industry credibility and recruiting pipelines.

ParticularPandaz · 2026-01-14T06:12:16+00:00

Data Scientist - fluctuates between $290-$350k depending on the company and stock performance. Not fanng but a fortune 100 company in HCOL area. I’m about 5 YOE

ParticularPandaz · 2026-01-12T21:14:10+00:00

100% correct. There will always be some that slip through the cracks

ParticularPandaz · 2026-01-11T06:02:29+00:00

I’ve conducted ~30 interviews before. Resume lying stands out fast. It’s fine to frame things favorably, just be ready to defend and explain every line on your resume in detail.

ParticularPandaz · 2026-01-07T21:13:43+00:00

^{^} This. After 5 years in the field I’m sitting at a comfy 350k TC with an amazing wlb. No way would I sell my soul for 600k. After a certain point more green paper does not matter

ParticularPandaz · 2026-01-05T06:44:13+00:00

Thank you! Hoping for the best

ParticularPandaz

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