byzgen

I never took statistics or linear algebra. Only AP calculus. So when people refer me to academic papers (or even Wikipedia most of the time) I'm not able to understand it.

I can study on my own, and have been for stats/probability. But started asking myself, why not just get a degree and make it quicker. I'd have to leave my job for a number of years, but then I'd be able to study all day instead of nights/weekends.

I definitely agree that it's a lot more demanding than smartphone apps - or most of the rest of what we call software development.

I'm trying to make the switch from backend development to machine learning right now, and even though I have a supportive employer I've begun thinking about going back to school because the math involved seems steeper and harder to avoid.

Disclaimer: My math level is high school since I self-taught my way into software engineering.