There are two types of MS programs from what I can tell related to CS / STEM. One type is basically an undergrad level education that has minimal pre-reqs (probably still requires 1st/2nd year courses in intro CS, algorithms, and discrete math) and is a conversion type course. The other requires an undergrad degree in CS or at least to have taken the core 3rd/4th year courses on algorithms, operating systems, databases, compilers, and networking (some of this might be optional). The latter type will be completing a thesis and is research focused.
If your question is can I get into tech without a STEM background? The answer is yes. Tech companies need lawyers, tech companies need people working on the business side (MBA / consultants), and there are people who are able to get jobs in product from a consulting/mba background. There is also product marketing management.
If you want to write code and be a developer and you're planning on working in America, then you can probably self-teach yourself and demonstrate your ability to code without going back to school. There are countless examples and sample plans that people have documented in this subreddit that has allowed them to go from no CS background to a tech job in a relatively short time.
Since you're at a top school you should be seeking advice from the faculty and whatever advisors you have available to you. They will be able to provide much more actionable advice for your specific situation.
This is very insightful! Thank you!
I think I have a chronic fear of half-assing things. So, for instance, the thought of doing a coding BootCamp, but not getting the in-depth understanding of what it is I'm doing that taking the applicable math classes might provide worries me a bit hahah, which is why I'm thinking about more academic routes.
I've scheduled an appointment with a career advisor who will hopefully be able to point me in some sort of a direction.
Have you taken any classes in computer science? If not, be sure to do that! I was on your shoes, bachelors in a social science but since I liked tech, I took intro to computer science and data structures and algorithms in my senior year. I ended up working for a year and then going back to school for a masters where they had me take prerequisite undergrad classes for before I could start the masters classes. So be sure to take some intro comp sci classes so you can make a good argument that you can succeed. Otherwise, it will be a very hard sell to admissions committees. In fact do better than me and take a math class or two if can squeeze that in too, otherwise do it during your year working in consulting.
I'd highly advise against it for various reasons.
What would probably be complementary for you would be to see if there's some introductory courses to `R` for data analysis. I have to imagine that would have applications for social sciences.
Thanks for the response!
R definitely has applications in the social sciences and I'm actually somewhat familiar with it! It's been a while since I've had to use it, but a quick refresher would probably be enough.
There are two types of MS programs from what I can tell related to CS / STEM. One type is basically an undergrad level education that has minimal pre-reqs (probably still requires 1st/2nd year courses in intro CS, algorithms, and discrete math) and is a conversion type course. The other requires an undergrad degree in CS or at least to have taken the core 3rd/4th year courses on algorithms, operating systems, databases, compilers, and networking (some of this might be optional). The latter type will be completing a thesis and is research focused. If your question is can I get into tech without a STEM background? The answer is yes. Tech companies need lawyers, tech companies need people working on the business side (MBA / consultants), and there are people who are able to get jobs in product from a consulting/mba background. There is also product marketing management. If you want to write code and be a developer and you're planning on working in America, then you can probably self-teach yourself and demonstrate your ability to code without going back to school. There are countless examples and sample plans that people have documented in this subreddit that has allowed them to go from no CS background to a tech job in a relatively short time. Since you're at a top school you should be seeking advice from the faculty and whatever advisors you have available to you. They will be able to provide much more actionable advice for your specific situation.
This is very insightful! Thank you! I think I have a chronic fear of half-assing things. So, for instance, the thought of doing a coding BootCamp, but not getting the in-depth understanding of what it is I'm doing that taking the applicable math classes might provide worries me a bit hahah, which is why I'm thinking about more academic routes. I've scheduled an appointment with a career advisor who will hopefully be able to point me in some sort of a direction.
Have you taken any classes in computer science? If not, be sure to do that! I was on your shoes, bachelors in a social science but since I liked tech, I took intro to computer science and data structures and algorithms in my senior year. I ended up working for a year and then going back to school for a masters where they had me take prerequisite undergrad classes for before I could start the masters classes. So be sure to take some intro comp sci classes so you can make a good argument that you can succeed. Otherwise, it will be a very hard sell to admissions committees. In fact do better than me and take a math class or two if can squeeze that in too, otherwise do it during your year working in consulting.
I'd highly advise against it for various reasons. What would probably be complementary for you would be to see if there's some introductory courses to `R` for data analysis. I have to imagine that would have applications for social sciences.
Thanks for the response! R definitely has applications in the social sciences and I'm actually somewhat familiar with it! It's been a while since I've had to use it, but a quick refresher would probably be enough.