How to learn Machine Learning in 2024 – Complete Guide and Resources
Last updated: December, 2024 • 13 min read
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the best ways to learn Machine Learning, from recommended books and courses to finding expert mentors who can accelerate your learning journey.
Before diving into learning Machine Learning, a word of caution: While there are many resources available online, it's important to follow a structured learning path and avoid getting overwhelmed. Having a clear goal and roadmap will help you stay focused and make steady progress.
If you're looking for a more guided approach, you may want to check out our Machine Learning mentors who can help create a personalized learning plan and provide expert guidance throughout your journey.
Getting started with Machine Learning
In this guide, we'll cover:
- Learning Resources - Recommended books and online courses to build your Machine Learning knowledge
- Expert Guidance - Finding mentors and joining communities
- Certifications - Professional certifications to validate your Machine Learning skills
- Career Development - Building a portfolio and preparing for jobs
Let's explore each of these areas to help you create an effective learning path for mastering Machine Learning.
How can I start learning Machine Learning?
Getting started with Machine Learning is very achievable with the right approach and resources. Here are some key steps to begin your learning journey:
- Start with fundamentals. Begin by learning the core concepts and principles of Machine Learning. This builds a strong foundation for more advanced topics;
- Take online courses. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer structured Machine Learning courses for beginners. These provide guided learning with hands-on practice;
- Read documentation and books. Official documentation and recommended books can deepen your understanding of Machine Learning concepts;
- Connect with a mentor. Our experienced Machine Learning mentors can create a personalized learning plan and guide you through your journey efficiently.
Can I learn Machine Learning on my own?
While self-study is possible, having expert guidance can save you months of trial and error and help you avoid common pitfalls. Here's what to consider:
- Self-paced learning. Online resources and tutorials let you learn at your own speed, but it can be challenging to know if you're on the right track;
- Community support. Join online communities and forums to get help, though responses may vary in quality and accuracy;
- Professional mentorship. Working with a Machine Learning mentor provides personalized feedback, industry insights, and accountability to keep you progressing;
- Structured approach. A mentor can create a customized learning path based on your goals and current skill level.
Can I learn Machine Learning in one month?
While you can grasp basic concepts of Machine Learning in a month with dedicated study, becoming proficient typically takes longer. Here's a realistic timeline:
- First month. Master fundamental concepts and basic principles of Machine Learning;
- 3-6 months. Develop intermediate skills and work on increasingly complex projects;
- 6-12 months. Build advanced knowledge and professional-level expertise;
- Accelerated learning. Working with one of our expert Machine Learning mentors can significantly speed up this timeline through focused guidance and industry best practices.
Learning Resources for Machine Learning
One of the most effective ways to build a strong foundation in Machine Learning is through carefully selected learning resources. Let's explore some key materials that can help you master this field.
Essential Reading Materials
Books remain one of the most comprehensive ways to learn Machine Learning in depth. They provide structured knowledge and detailed explanations that are often missing from online tutorials. Here are some recommended reading approaches:
- Start with beginner-friendly books that introduce core concepts and fundamentals
- Progress to intermediate texts that cover more advanced topics and real-world applications
- Keep reference books handy for looking up specific concepts and techniques
Recommended Books for Machine Learning
Introduction to Statistical learning
ISL is a fundamental book and popular amongst undergrad and grad students for its clarity and simplicity with explaining concepts. The math required to understand the book is kept to a minimum, making it unique in its format.
Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning
Bishop's book on pattern recognition is a classic textbook and staple in Machine Learning. Beimg aimed at grad students, but also at researchers and practitioners, it's no easy lecture, but a truly fundamental course book.
Hands-on Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn, Keras and Tensorflow
The hands-on Machine Learning book is an amazing piece by Aurélien Géron, taking you from the basics of Machine Learning to applying them to real-word scenarios all in one book.
Pragmatic Programmer
At least today, code is our door to building algorithms and complex Machine Learning systems. If you want to invest in becoming a more proficient Machine Learning professional faster, investing in code skills is the way to do so.
Online Learning Platforms
Online courses provide structured learning paths with hands-on practice. Here are some recommended platforms and course types:
- Interactive courses - Learn by doing with coding exercises and projects
- Video tutorials - Watch expert instructors explain concepts step-by-step
- Practice exercises - Reinforce learning through hands-on challenges
Recommended Courses for Machine Learning
Udacity's Machine Learning Nanodegree
Fast.ai
Machine Learning A-Z™
Deep Learning Specialization
Get help with your learning journey
Learning Communities and Support
Having the right support system is crucial for learning Machine Learning. Here are some ways to get help:
- MentorCruise Community - Join our active community of learners and mentors to get support on your journey
- 1:1 Mentorship - Get personalized guidance from our expert Machine Learning mentors
- Work Reviews - Have experienced Machine Learning mentors review your work and provide detailed feedback
- Discussion Forums - Connect with peers to share knowledge and ask questions
Ready to accelerate your learning? Find a Machine Learning mentor who can guide you through these steps and provide personalized support.
Expert Guidance
Learning Machine Learning is more effective with expert guidance. Our mentors provide:
- Personalized Learning Plans - Get a customized roadmap based on your goals and current skill level
- Industry Best Practices - Learn professional standards and workflows
- Career Development - Get advice on job searching, resume building, and career advancement
Want more options? Browse all 199 Machine Learning mentors to find the perfect match for your goals.
Professional Certifications
Earning certifications can validate your Machine Learning skills and boost your career prospects. Here are some recommended certifications:
Andrew Ng’s Machine Learning Specialization
Hosted by coursera.org
AI visionary Andrew Ng’s Machine Learning Specialization is an online, three-course, educational program designed to help course takers master fundamental AI concepts and develop practical machine learning (ML) skills, such as building and training machine learning models.
The highly-reg…
IBM Machine Learning Professional Certificate
Hosted by coursera.org
IBM’s Machine Learning Professional Certificate is an online, six-course educational program that equips course takers with practical ML skills, such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, neural networks, and deep learning. At the same time, the program also introduces course takers to …
AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty
Hosted by aws.amazon.com
Amazon Web Service’s (AWS) Certified Machine Learning - Speciality Certification indicates your expertise in building, training, and running ML models in AWS.
To earn the certification, you must take and pass a 180-minute exam consisting of 65 multiple-choice and response questions. Des…
Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer Certification
Hosted by cloud.google.com
Google’s Professional Machine Learning Engineer Certification indicates your expertise in designing, building, and producing machine learning models using Google Cloud and industry-proven techniques. To earn the certification, you must take and pass a two-hour exam consisting of 50-60 multiple-c…
Our mentors can help you prepare for these certifications through:
- Exam Preparation - Get structured guidance to master certification topics
- Practice Tests - Work through sample questions and mock exams
- Study Planning - Create an effective study schedule to achieve your certification goals
- Hands-on Practice - Apply certification concepts through practical exercises
Career Guidance
Beyond technical skills, succeeding in Machine Learning requires strategic career planning. Our career mentors provide:
- Industry Insights - Get insider knowledge about Machine Learning roles and companies
- Career Strategy - Build a roadmap to reach your professional goals
- Resume & Portfolio Review - Optimize your professional materials for Machine Learning positions
- Interview Preparation - Practice technical and behavioral interviews with experienced professionals
- Salary Negotiation - Learn to advocate for yourself and negotiate competitive compensation
Ready to accelerate your Machine Learning career? Connect with a career mentor to start building your professional future.
Quick Summary
- 🎯 Best for: beginners and intermediate learners
- ⏱️ Learning time: 12 certification paths available
- 💰 Required investment: Courses, books and mentorship to certification (~$500)
- 🎓 Prerequisites: None
- 🔗 Related fields: Python, Data Science, Deep Learning, Product Management