There has been a rapid surge in Internet usage in the last ten years, leading to a large volume of generated data. According to Statista, Internet users spent an average of 145 minutes per day on social networks in 2020. Compare that to 2012, when people only spent an average of 90 minutes per day on the web.
Many of us use the web for a variety of purposes, including shopping, research, gaming, and banking. And it’s no secret that the streams of data we generate are leveraged by businesses, organizations, and governments to make informed decisions, design policies, and understand user engagement with goods and services.
The significant impact of data on their decision-making has led to an increased demand for data scientists and data analysts who have the skills to retrieve, clean, and interpret the enormous amount of information generated daily. However, data analysts and data scientists are in short supply.
On the upside, the talent shortage spells out opportunities for beginners looking to start a career in the field or working professionals who want to transition into data science. But before they can start applying for data science jobs, they’ll first have to equip themselves with the essential data science skills.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the perks of starting a data science career and how you can get your foot into the data door through university-backed digital bootcamps.
What Is Data Science?
Data science is a field that focuses on extracting useful information and drawing insights from unstructured and structured data. These are then related to stakeholders who in turn use these insights for a variety of applications—whether to understand consumer behavior, predict market trends, streamline internal processes, and so on.
Data science has numerous applications. Industries where data science can be applied include, but are not limited to, healthcare, travel, fashion, food, agriculture, social media, music, and tech.
Why Should You Learn Data Science and Analytics?
The shortage of data professionals coupled with the high demand for their data science skills presents a golden opportunity to those considering starting a career path in the field. Case in point: the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 22 percent job growth in data science and information research professions by the end of the decade.
Put simply, professionals who aim to break into this field may be venturing into a career path of countless opportunities.
Aside from the large number of employment options available in data science, the income potential is another reason that makes it a wise career choice. According to Indeed, data scientists and data analysts are among the highest-paid professionals in the United States. In numbers, Glassdoor reports that a data scientist earns an average salary of $117,212 yearly, while data analysts earn an average annual salary of $69,517.
So how do you take advantage of these opportunities?
The first and perhaps the quickest step is to enroll in tech bootcamps that specialize in data science and analytics training. But if you’re looking for that sweet spot between training at a bootcamp and learning from a prestigious university, then you should consider university-backed data science and analytics bootcamps.
Top 3 University-Backed Data Science and Analytics Bootcamps
Breaking into the data science and analytics field is not as intimidating as it may seem; all you’ll need is expert training to gain the right technical skills. The first route that may come to mind is a four-year degree in computer science or data science. That said, for those who have a strong desire to learn but lack the patience, funds, or time, spending up to four years in college may be too much to bear.
For this group of learners, top colleges have devised an alternative learning style. Rather than spend four years attending classes, they can now become market-ready data professionals in less than a year through university-backed bootcamps.
The following are among the top universities offering accelerated programs in data science and data analytics in the United States.
Data Science & Analytics Bootcamp Offered by the College of Professional and International Education at CSULB
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) was founded in 1949, and it is about 25 miles from the city of Los Angeles. It occupies a 332-acre land space, making it the second-largest university in California.
Apart from having full accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), this educational institution boasts a famous alumni network that includes Steven Spielberg, Steve Martin, Milicent Borges Accardi, Tony Baxter, Pat McCormick, Tom Hoff, among others.
The Data Science & Analytics Bootcamp at CSULB’s College of Professional and International Education is designed to transform learners who have little or no prior knowledge of data science into fully-fledged market-ready data professionals in 10 months.
To achieve its objectives, the course curriculum was developed in collaboration with industry professionals who are familiar with the existing skills gap in the industry. This strategic approach increases learners’ chances of integrating into the job market without having to wait too long to land their first job.
To kick off the program, learners begin with the 30-hour Introductory Course. This course brings learners up to speed on various topics that will be discussed in more detail later on in the program.
At the end of the 30-hour Introductory Course, learners may continue with the 370-hour Extended Program that is divided into three sections and focuses on project-based learning. Each section ends with a capstone project, designed to assess learners’ grasp of the topics.
For more information about the data science and data analytics program offered at CSULB, visit the course website.
Kansas State University’s Data Science & Analytics Bootcamp
Kansas State University is the state’s oldest higher education school, having been founded in 1863 as a state grant college. Its main campus is located in Manhattan, and it is fully accredited by the higher learning commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Students have access to at least 450 organizations, fraternities, and student bodies.
Kansas State University recognizes the importance of serving learners from a variety of backgrounds. Thus, its Data Science & Analytics Bootcamp was created to transform learners into data professionals regardless of their prior education or experience. Its part-time online curriculum was created by industry experts with extensive knowledge in data science.
To achieve its aim of producing job-ready data professionals, the school offers complete career services. Mentors and the career service team provide one-on-one coaching to help learners secure employment after completing their training. These sessions cover interview preparation, professional networking tips, resume building, job search support, and internship placement assistance.
While learning industry-standard methods and techniques, learners build foundational knowledge that they can apply to industry certification exams. They receive assistance with preparing for the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate, Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate, and the IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate. Obtaining these qualifications can put learners in the limelight in the job market, giving them a competitive advantage and prospects for growth.
For further inquiries about the program and application, visit the course website.
University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Data Science & Analytics Bootcamp
The University of Wisconsin—Madison stands among the top-ranked universities in the United States. With an acceptance rate of 57 percent and a graduation rate of 87 percent, UW—Madison ranks 42nd among the best national universities and 20th among the best colleges for veterans, according to USNews.
The Data Science & Analytics bootcamp at UW—Madison is designed to accommodate learners from all walks of life. With the 30-hour Introductory Course, learners get to build their understanding of data science fundamentals.
The cost of tuition for the 30-hour course is $180, while the Extended Program costs $17,820. Learners only get to continue with the Extended Program after taking a final evaluation exam at the end of the 30-hour Introductory Course and meeting with their admission advisors to discuss their performance and existing opportunities in the industry.
The Extended Program lasts 370 hours and is divided into three parts, with each part covering a specific niche of both data science and data analytics. Learners must complete milestone projects at the end of each section to demonstrate their mastery of the discussed topics and the skills they have acquired from each part of the program.
The final project showcases their data analytics, data storytelling, and project presentation skills to prospective employers. This section of the program is eight hours long.
Visit the course website for more information about enrollment and further details.
Kickstart Your Data Science Career
As more organizations establish an online presence and the number of Internet users continues to rise, the demand for data professionals is expected to increase accordingly. But with data specialists in short supply, this gives a perfect opportunity for individuals seeking a data science career.
And what better way to attain the qualifications you need to increase your chances of landing a job than attending a university-backed data science and analytics bootcamp.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
