If there is one thing that New Yorkers know, it’s how to do business. Those that aren’t familiar with the hustle and bustle of New York City might not see past its iconic skyscrapers and extensive subway system to glimpse the amazing data analytics courses in NYC.
Although New York has all the standard fare for tourists, it’s largely a city made by and for innovators. Other big US cities like Chicago and Washington are impressive, but there’s something about New York that truly makes it a cut above the rest. You’ll soon see why.
New York is a city of diversity, progress, accomplishment, ambition, and data. Many of the most famous innovators New Yorkers have harnessed valuable data and used it to make critical business decisions. How? Through data analytics.
What Is Data Analysis?
Data analysis can apply to many things. Some people use data analysis to spot revealing customer buying trends. Other data analysts may use polling data to gain insight into a political race. Regardless of what they’re analyzing, data scientists must pore over tons of information.
To be successful at data analysis, you need to be open to learning new information. The world runs on numbers and bits of data, so to be successful, you need to be willing to see the bigger picture. One example of this is data visualization, where you will examine data in graph form.
Let’s explore data visualization and some other core aspects of data analysis.
Key Concepts in Data Science
Below are some key parts that makeup data analytics.
Data Visualization
Data visualization is the visual representation of a particular piece of data. This could be anything from February shoe sales at Walmart to a politician’s popularity in Colorado.
Data visualization allows seemingly random numbers and data to come together to form a cohesive whole. Before the information is linked, data analysts may have not been able to make sense of the data. Once it has been visualized, they can better understand the patterns that they are studying.
Data visualization is a simple way to help people understand data on a large scale, which leads us to big data.
Big Data
Big data, unsurprisingly, is enormous. This is a general term for the high amount of data that businesses deal with all the time.
While it may seem like a Herculean task to analyze this intimidating amount of data, it is actually a blessing. The more data you have, the better idea a company can get on trends, fads, and customers.
Programs like SPSS, Microsoft Excel, and Stata allow professional data analysts to sift through the seemingly endless data for instrumental bits of information.
Machine Learning
By now, you are probably familiar with the term ‘algorithm,’ like the Instagram algorithm. We all experience algorithms daily, in part, thanks to machine learning.
Machine learning deals with helping machines improve their performance in specific tasks through learned experience. So, when you like a picture of something online, the algorithm may notice a trend in your interests. Then, you will start getting ads and promoted posts about similar things.
Machine learning is part of artificial intelligence. As such, it allows the machine to act on its learned experiences, rather than explicitly programming it to perform a function.
What Do Data Analysis Courses Cover?
Data analysis classes cover the in-depth measuring of large data sets, statistics, and more. The most notable data analytics courses cover a wide range of data science topics.
Besides more general topics on data visualization and machine learning, these courses will teach you valuable skills in specific programs like Microsoft Excel and SPSS.
Mastering these programs is a key part of data analysis. Using them, you will learn about pivot tables, flash filling, and conditional formatting.
Data analytics courses in New York City will teach you concepts that will make you think like a data analyst.
The Best Data Analytics Courses in NYC
There are many learning options for determined New Yorkers. There are one-off classes offered by colleges and universities and bootcamps are also becoming more popular by the year.
So, where should curious New Yorkers apply to attend the best data analytics courses NYC has to offer? What are the prerequisites? Let’s check it out.
Columbia Engineering Data Analytics Boot Camp
Length: 24 Weeks
The illustrious Columbia engineering department offers an impressive part-time data science bootcamp. It promises that after 24 weeks, students will have a firm grasp on business analytics, SQL, and statistics, and will be able to start a career in the field.
Over six modules, students will learn statistics modeling and programming languages and will engage in project-based assignments.
Although primarily seen as a business bootcamp for professionals, the program is open to all applicants.
This is perfect for students already enrolled at Columbia. It’s also great for New Yorkers who want to get acquainted with the programming language Python, information technology, and applied statistics.
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NYC Tech Talent Pipeline: Data Analyst Training Accelerator
Length: 18 weeks
Affiliated with Galvanize, the NYC Tech Talent Pipeline offers the DATA program for New Yorkers interested in data analysis.
All you need to do to join the program is to be a New Yorker over the age of 18 with no prior data or marketing experience. You also must be unemployed or making less than $45,000 a year.
The full-time program teaches students Python programming and digital marketing. They even have some pretty impressive career services to help get you hired after completing the program.
NYC Data Science Academy
Length: 12 weeks
This bootcamp curriculum has you start with the basics. First, you will learn Python programming and how to apply it to data visualization.
Through project-based learning, you will then learn the importance of software such as SPSS and Microsoft Access.
Finally, you’ll wrap up the class with a capstone project. This is where you’ll share your insights and solve datasets using your newfound knowledge of machine learning, Hadoop, Spark, SQL, Python, and data classification.
The NYC Data Science Academy offers lifetime career support and has great teachers and instructors.
Insight Data Science Fellows Program
Length: 7 weeks
The Insight data science program is a little more specific than your average data analytics bootcamp. This program is for those looking to get their PhD in data science. It aims to “bridge the gap between academia and data science.”
The entire seven-week program consists purely of project-based work and has no traditional classroom structure. However, students will have access to teachers, but the main idea is that you learn best by doing.
The course starts with one week of introductions where students will meet with representatives of major companies to discuss data science concepts like machine learning or big data.
Weeks two to four consist of a data project focusing on critical aspects of data science like machine learning, data visualization, software engineering, and storing and retrieving data.
Insight boasts several noteworthy alumni who work for iconic companies like LinkedIn, Google, Disney, and Airbnb. Graduates of the program can choose to interview with big companies in New York City, Seattle, San Francisco, or anywhere else in North America.
Insight also provides students with financial assistance to cover living expenses in New York.
SPSS Essentials: Private Training Course
Length: 6 hours
This is a private training course in which you will learn how to use the data manipulation program SPSS with confidence. The unique plan of the class is tailored to activities that data analysts and researchers spend the most time on: quantitative research and analyzing big data.
The syllabus includes everything from the basics of SPSS menus to executing more complicated big data tasks.
Since this is a private course, you’ll have the full attention of an SPSS expert instructor for a total of six hours.
Microsoft Access Bootcamp in NYC
Length: 2 days
Microsoft Access is a data manipulation application that every data analyst knows well. By the end of this mini-bootcamp, you will have mastered the tools of how to read data in extraordinarily nuanced ways.
The class is taught by industry experts, and students will learn how to use Microsoft Access material in small groups.
If you feel like you didn’t understand the intricacies of Microsoft Access, or had to stop the course, you still have options. You can retake the course anytime within one year.
Tableau Bootcamp in NYC
Length: 2 days
As you know by now, data visualization is one of the main pillars of data science and data analysis. That’s why understanding data visualization software is key to your success.
This class shows you what it means to parse through data to create a bigger picture, literally.
This bootcamp starts with the very basics of Tableau. Even if you’re entirely new to Tableau, by the end of the two-day bootcamp, you’ll understand the importance of the software and how it is integral to data science.
At the beginning of the course, you will learn how to understand data and will conclude the bootcamp by publishing your own dataset and visualization.
Learning Data Analytics Can Help You in the Real World
At the end of many of these data analytics courses, you’ll receive a certificate. These are surprisingly helpful during a job hunt, especially in the field of data science.
These certificates prove that you’re knowledgeable in a specific subject. Data analysis demands skills like proficiency in a programming language, Microsoft Office expertise, and more. For a successful career, you’re also going to need at least a bachelor’s degree.
Educational prerequisites will vary from company to company. Some places want you to have completed a master’s program. Others may be satisfied with just a bachelor’s or associate degree.
Is Data Analysis a Good Career Choice?
All of your training programs and education will have been well worth the effort because the job outlook for data scientists and analysts is stellar. Even entry-level positions pay well and show significant career trajectories.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, data scientists and data analysts’ median salary is $122,840 per year. Looking closer, the top 10 percent of data scientists earned more than $189,780.
While getting a degree or completing a data science bootcamp, graduates usually have fantastic networking opportunities.
Additionally, data science and data analytics aren’t niche topics. People with a data analysis background have a high chance of finding employment in many fields.
Companies that are hoping to improve and develop continuously will always need people with knowledge of business analytics. All of the country’s biggest companies use business analysts, like Netflix, Amazon, Google, Apple, and Spotify.
Who Should Take Data Analytics Courses in NYC?
New Yorkers, for one. What better place to engage in a new, exciting potential career path than right in your home city?
Anyone interested in data science, technology, programming languages, and big data should apply for a data analysis course in NYC.
The Verdict: Should You Take Data Analytics Courses in NYC?
Whether online or on-campus, enrolling in a data science or data analytics course in NYC is a fantastic idea. Not only is it a way to get a clearer view of the world and technology, but it can also present you with excellent career opportunities.
Data analysis is never going away. As long as there are numbers, trends, graphs, sales, and web traffic, there will always be data to analyze. Don’t you want to be a part of tech’s most significant asset?
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