Sunday, July 10, 2022

What to study? Machine learning vs Computer Science vs Cyber Security vs Financial Engineering

Today I helped a student review his study options (Bachelor level).

We discussed and looked at the courses the university offered in four areas: machine learning, computer science, cyber security, financial engineering. Debating the 'deeper analytical learnings', I mentioned the following:

  • Machine Learning
    • ML is much about models of models in a very mathematical sense.
      • No one knows how to teach it that way (yet).
    • One tends to learn more about ML tools and technics than theory.
  • Computer Science
    • Few model in computer science because expensive, very hard to manage and hard 'get right'. 
    • However, applied math and crypto/blockchain domains are easier to approach in a 'modelled CS approach'. Functional programming is a highly effective way to be successful in doing that. 
  • Cyber Security
    • In cyber security, we model the present and the past. We adjust our current state when we detect a security breach in the past.
  • Financial Engineering
    • In financial engineering, we model the present and future. We adjust our current state to be optimal in the 'modelled' future. 
Talking about job opportunities, I drew the following:

The figure above is meant to convey the following:
  • Machine Learning
    • Much demand as had a broad application and quick return on investment.
  • Computer Science
    • Good demand but by fewer companies as there is a certain truth that writing software takes time and is expensive. 
  • Cyber Security
    • Much demand as has a 'quick' return on investment, but only applicable on IT solutions.
  • Financial Engineering
    •  Lesser demand. Applicability is more limited. When 'finance' is accounting you do not need 'engineering' or 'complex math'. 
All original content copyright James Litsios, 2022.

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