A career in data analytics is both lucrative and in high demand. With the industry projected to reach $346.24 billion or more by 2030, companies are utilizing data analytics to boost their profits and competitiveness.
As a result, professionals skilled in data analysis are highly valued. To secure a position in this field, obtaining a certification can be a smart move and set you apart as a qualified candidate.
Data Analytics: an overview
Acquiring a certification in Data Analytics can lead to numerous job opportunities in the field, as businesses require professionals to help them turn raw data into valuable insights. Data Analytics encompasses a range of methods for examining data, converting it from various forms (such as structured, unstructured, or semi-structured) into actionable information, and visualizing it with tools like graphs and charts. A Data Analyst certification demonstrates expertise in cleaning and interpreting data and is essential for those seeking a career in this growing industry.
Who is a Data Analyst?
Data Analysts play a crucial role in the tech industry by collecting, managing, and interpreting large amounts of data. Their primary goal is to derive meaningful insights from the data to support decision-making. The advancement of technology, particularly relational databases, has enabled Data Analysts to use SQL to access and analyze data efficiently.
Is obtaining a data analyst certification or certificate beneficial?
Having a Data Analyst certification showcases your dedication to advancing your expertise in the industry. It can improve the appeal of your resume to hiring managers and increase your chances of securing employment. According to the 2020/21 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, individuals with certifications generally earn higher median weekly salaries and have lower unemployment rates than those without certifications. A reputable Data Analyst certification can bring higher earning opportunities and job stability.
Best data analytics certifications and certificates
Examine the different certifications and certificates available for data analysts to choose the one that aligns with your career aspirations from the numerous options available.
1. Google Data Analytics Professional
The Google Data Analytics Professional certificate program is a six-month online course that offers a complete overview of data analytics. The Google Data Analytics Professional certification program is designed for individuals with no prior experience, covering crucial topics in data analytics, such as cleaning, visualization, and analysis using spreadsheets, SQL, and R programming.
2. IBM Data Analyst Professional
The IBM Data Analyst Professional certificate is an online, self-paced program aimed at individuals looking to enter the field of data analysis without prior experience. The program consists of 8 courses that take approximately 11 months to complete and covers topics such as Python, SQL, Excel, and IBM Cognos analytics. Learners will gain hands-on knowledge of these technologies and be equipped to pursue entry-level data analyst positions.
3. Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate
The Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate certificate attests to a professional's mastery of Power BI, a powerful tool for visualizing data in business analytics and intelligence. This certification is designed for experienced individuals who understand data processes and repositories and wish to showcase their advanced analytical skills and the value they offer to businesses.
4. AWS Certified Data Analytics
The AWS Certified Data Analytics certification demonstrates the holder's expertise in developing and managing data analytics solutions using Amazon Web Services (AWS). This certification is ideal for professionals with five years of experience in cloud implementation and the use of AWS data lakes for data analysis. Early-career individuals with these skills and experience can benefit significantly from obtaining this certification.
5. SAS Statistical Business Analyst Professional
The SAS Statistical Business Analyst Professional Certificate is designed for data analysts who want to improve their predictive and statistical modeling abilities. Before enrolling, individuals should have prior knowledge of SAS programming. The online program takes approximately 3 months to complete, and upon completion, it certifies the individual's proficiency in using SAS for business-related modeling and programming tasks.
6. CompTIA Data Analytics Plus
CompTIA Data+ is one of the world's most sought-after and highly-regarded certifications. The CompTIA Data+ certification validates the holder's data mining, manipulation, visualization, and reporting knowledge. This certification is geared toward professionals with 1.5 to 2 years of work experience and provides early-career individuals with an opportunity to stand out in the industry.
What are the necessary skills for obtaining a Data Analyst certification?
A combination of technical and interpersonal skills is required to become a certified Data Analyst.
The following is a comprehensive list of the essential skills necessary for this role:
Creative and analytical thinking: Possess a curious and creative mindset with the ability to use a statistical methodology and analytical perspective to solve problems.
Data visualization: Proficient in presenting data clearly and understandably, with the knowledge of the right visualization charts to use and how to scale them for the audience.
Data warehousing: Familiar with connecting databases from various sources, building a data warehouse, and using queries to extract and manipulate data.
Data cleaning: Ability to identify and remove corrupt data from datasets and perform data analysis.
Mathematics and statistics: Strong background in mathematics and statistics to make accurate predictions and decisions based on historical information.
SQL Databases: Knowledge of relational databases and proficiency in using SQL to extract information from tables.
Database query languages: Proficiency in SQL and its variations, such as PSQL and PL/SQL.
Microsoft excel: Skilled in working with the spreadsheet program and understanding advanced modeling techniques.
Machine learning: Understanding machine learning is an added advantage for exploratory analysis.
Programming languages: Fluency in a programming language such as R or Python for data collection, cleaning, statistical analysis, and visualization.
Communication skills: Excellent communication skills to effectively convey insights to stakeholders and pitch findings to prospective teams.
The final words
A data analytics certification can significantly increase your chances of landing a job in the tech industry, showcasing your expertise to potential employers. Getting a certification is necessary if you aim to build a career in data science. With numerous options available, you have the opportunity to boost your marketability. Ultimately, choose a certification that fits your budget and career goals.
Employers frequently look for a data analytics certification in job postings for data analysts, with some companies specifying their preferred certifications. To ensure a match with your desired field (such as healthcare or marketing analytics), carefully examine job descriptions and list required certifications. Remember that certification alone is not enough, and employers also consider factors like relevant work experience, education, and technical abilities.
