Introduction

Data science has been a buzzword in the tech world for a while. People are looking to get into this field, but they aren’t sure where to start. Furthermore, there are multiple data science certificate programs out there (like Edx, Coursera, Datacamp, and others) that you can take to gain the skills you need to secure your first job in a data-related field.

In this blog post, I will explain how important these certificates are for getting into your first job in data science and what online courses offer the best chance of success.

Table of contents:

1. Why should you pursue a data science certificate?
2. Top data science course providers available in the market
3. Top certificates you can consider to acquire data science skills
4. Conclusion

Why should you pursue a data science certificate?

First and foremost, it’s not an easy task to obtain the required skill set in data science. The thought of learning from scratch might make your head spin, or feel intimidating. and maybe even make you think twice about pursuing a career in the field! But let me tell you. There are tons of benefits when you do pursue a data science certificate — especially if you plan on landing a role in this exciting field.

Data science certifications are essential if you want to become a data scientist. It is necessary to have deep knowledge of data analysis, statistics, and programming languages for harnessing big data sets as well as for building models. Well-structured courses will help you build strong foundations in key data skills as well as help you build portfolio projects. It’s not exactly common knowledge, but you can use data science certificates as a powerful way to improve your skills. Certifications in particular can help you land a better role, as well as get noticed by recruiters.

Thus, by having certificates and credentials on your resume, your chances of getting hired by recruiters will increase by 10X.

Top data science course providers available in the market

If you want to excel in data science and pursue a data science certification, there are many organizations that offer different certifications and degrees. Data Science organizations like Coursera, Datacamp, MIT Open Courseware, and edx have been involved with creating courses for complete beginners and professionals alike.

Apart from the above organizations, online learning platforms like GetSmarter, Codecademy, Dataquest, Springboard, and Futurelearn among others also provide quality certification programs to help aspiring data scientists gain a wide range of skills.

Types of Certificate Programs

1. Full certificate course backed by a University: GetSmarter

GetSamrter is an online learning platform that provides flexible yet valuable certificates by partnering with the world’s best educational institutions such as the London School of Economics and Political science, Harvard, MIT, and Oxford University among others.

Examples of programs offered through GetSmarter:

Artificial Intelligence in Business

Artificial Intelligence in Health Care

AI in Finance: Delivering Business Value

Machine Learning in Business

Data Science for Business: Building a Data-Driven Organization

2. Multiple certificate opportunities from a annual subscription: Datacamp

DataCamp is an online learning platform that provides courses on data science, programming, and analytics. It offers over 400s courses taught by industry professionals, covering topics such as data manipulation, machine learning, statistics, and visualization. The courses are designed to be interactive and engaging, with hands-on exercises and real-world projects to help learners apply what they have learned. DataCamp also offers certificates of completion for its courses, which can be a valuable addition to a learner’s resume. These certificates are awarded to learners who complete all of the course material and pass the final assessment. In addition to its courses, DataCamp offers a variety of other resources for learners, including a community forum, career tracks, and personalized learning recommendations.

Examples of what's available from the DataCamp catalog:

Analyzing Survey Data in R

Analyzing Social Media Data in Python

Analyzing Data in Tableau

Analyzing Business Data in SQL

Analyzing Marketing Campaigns with pandas

3. Standalone certificates: Coursera

Coursera is a popular online education platform that provides access to courses, degrees, and certificates from top universities and industry leaders. It offers a wide range of data science courses, covering topics such as data visualization, machine learning, and data analysis. The courses are taught by experts in the field and are designed to be engaging and interactive.

In addition to individual courses, Coursera also offers a variety of degree and certificate programs in data science, providing learners with a more comprehensive education and a recognized credential upon completion. Overall, Coursera is a great option for someone who’s looking to pursue a degree and earn the necessary credentials.

Examples of standalone courses offered by various universities on Coursera:

Advanced Learning Algorithms from Stanford University

Algorithms for Searching, Sorting, and Indexing from University of Colorado Boulder

A Crash Course in Data Science from Johns Hopkins University

AI Applications in Marketing and Finance from University of Pennsylvania

Conclusion

Obtaining a data science certification can be a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and advance your data career. By selecting the right certification program, you can stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends, improve your data analysis and machine learning abilities, and enhance your overall proficiency in the field of data science.

Among all the options available in the market, certifications from reputable organizations like DataCamp, GetSmarter, and Coursera stand out for their comprehensive curricula, industry recognition, and flexible learning formats. We recommend checking out some of their courses and signing up to start learning to build a rewarding career in the field of data science.

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