It is a laudable decision to get into the field of data science. Data science is one of the established industries which is growing rapidly as well. As per WEF, data science jobs have been ranked 5th in the list of fastest-growing jobs. If we look at the facts, as per IDC global datasphere will grow to 175 zettabytes by 2025. And the demand for certified data scientists to handle such a huge amount of data will grow by 28% by 2025, states Gartner. Glassdoor says the average data science salary in the USA is $153,000 which we can expect to grow by 20-50% in years to come, right?
Data science brings in a lost of opportunities in the coming years. The only question is – are you ready to grab them? Are you skilled enough to outcompete others and make a place for yourself in this challenging domain? Well, dedicated courses and data science certification can help you gain the skills and knowledge required to excel in this field. But which certification will be best for you?
Consider before Choosing the Best Data Science Certification
There are various types of certifications available in the market, right from entry-level executives having 0-2 years of experience to senior data scientists having more than 10 years of experience, a certification is there for every student and professional. Not only that if you want to master any particular data science skill or any specific data science tool, then there are vendor-specific and industry-specific certifications as well.
It is advised that various below-mentioned factors must be considered:
- The reputation of the program you are enrolling in to
- Curriculum and course contents
- If the program provides practical application of the technologies you are learning
- Check the credibility of faculties and instructors
- Check the delivery format and flexibility of the course
- Check the price of the data science certification as well.
Here we will discuss the best 3 certifications for data scientists that are useful to learn about the latest data science trends and technology in depth:
1. Certified Lead Data Scientist (CLDS™): USDSI®
The United States Data Science Institute (USDSI®) is a trusted brand known for providing quality data science certification programs globally. Their CLDS™ program is designed for data scientists already working in this domain and having at least 2-6 years of experience. The program requires students/professionals should be proficient with programming languages and should be qualified in the STEM field.
The certified data scientists from CLDS™ will be able to demonstrate their expertise in the following topics with this comprehensive certification course:
- Data science and data analysis
- Key methods in data science
- Advanced big data analytics
- Containerization, RPA, IoT and Cloud, etc.
The curriculum of this course is curated and designed by SMEs and top brains working in the data science industry. Also, the program is updated regularly to meet industry demands.
Enrolled students will get access to a state-of-the-art resource center to cover each topic in detail. Since it is a self-paced learning working professionals can also earn this certification at their own pace and convenience by committing 8-10 hours a week.
2. MicroMasters Program in Statistics and Data Science: MITx
The MITx MicroMasters Program in Statistics and Data Science is an online certification program offered by MIT through the edX platform.
It covers essential topics in data science, including:
- Statistics
- Probability
- Data Analysis
- Machine Learning, and
- Data Visualization.
The program is flexible, allowing learners to study at their own pace and location. It includes rigorous assessments to evaluate understanding and offers a MicroMasters credential upon completion.
The certification can also serve as a pathway to a master’s degree. It is important to consider personal goals, finances, and other factors when deciding on a data science certification program. These certifications lead to an increase in data science salary by 20-40% to the average salary of data scientists.
3. Data Analytics Professional Certificate: Google
Offered by Google, this Data Analytics Certificate is an online program available through Coursera. It provides certified data scientists with comprehensive training in data analytics, covering topics such as data collection, cleaning, analysis, and visualization.
The program includes real-world case studies and practical exercises to apply learned skills. It offers a flexible, self-paced learning environment. Upon completion, learners receive the Google Data Analytics Certificate, which is widely recognized by employers.
The program is developed in collaboration with Google, offering insights into industry best practices.
Conclusion
Enrolling in the data science certification programs that are widely recognized across industries and the ones that cover all the data science topics in detail should be the one you must opt for. When you learn and practice those concepts you gain expertise which never goes in vain. And remember learning is a lifelong process. So keep learning and keep moving.