5 Tips to Getting a Data Science Certification With No Prior Experience

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If you are not ready to enrol and commit to an industry data science program just yet, not to worry – you can still work towards earning an online data science certificate by building your technical skills step by step using these 5 tips:

Online tools you can start using right now to learn how to code in Python

Programmer using Python

Python is the in-demand tool by the industry and recommended for a career in data science and analytics. It is the programming language of choice across most industry sectors, and a user friendly language to start learning online.

Here are our top picks for learning Python online in your own time, depending on your learning style:

  • DataCamp suits visual and aural learners that enjoy interactive video based modules
  • CodeAcademy suits social learners that enjoy collaborative online modules
  • The Python Tutorial suits verbal learners that enjoy comprehensive written modules

Online tools you can start using right now to understand machine learning

Student studying machine learning

Machine learning enables data scientists and data analysts to make sense of complex data sets by using mathematical and computational techniques to extract insights and predict patterns for businesses.

The following resources will teach you more about AI technology and its relevance and practical applications to your career as a big data professional:

Put your independent learning to use and gain some hands-on experience by creating your own data science projects

Now that you’ve taken the time to build your coding and machine learning knowledge, it’s time to test out those self-taught skills by creating an original data science project!

Pick an existing site, app, product or process that interests you enough that you want to improve on it – then plan and design a data driven solution.

Doing this will allow you to put your skills in action, see your strengths and areas that need improvement, and give you a project to put in your resume that proves your potential as a data scientist.

We also recommend: Kaggle

This data science project platform invites you to create and collaborate on data based projects, explore projects made by fellow data scientists and data enthusiasts and gives you the opportunity to join competitions to test your data science and machine learning models and compete to win prizes online.

Follow industry blogs, attend networking events, and participate in activities within the data science community

watching data community trend news for tech

You know that saying, it’s not what you know it’s who you know – when it comes to the data science industry, it’s actually correct. You need to invest time learning and becoming trained in the skills employers are seeking but you also need to spend time meeting and building your data science network.

  • Follow industry blogs – learning from industry experts that currently work in the big data industry can provide you with first hand industry insight that you may otherwise not have access to.
  • Attend networking events – these events are designed for you to build your networks by meeting fellow professionals, experts and hiring managers. You should also aim to speak with people outside of your field and learn how they found success and see if it can help you on your data science journey.
  • Participate in the community – interacting through online forums and participating in hackathons in your area, will allow you to experience high-pressure, problem-solving, team building and brainstorming environments, similar to the thrill of finding data driven business solutions in an industry environment. You will not only feel supported by a global and local data science community but you will have the opportunity to learn from each other and collaborate.

Complete an interactive education program or short course that teaches you the practical skills required to start a job in the big data industry

You started with no prior programming knowledge, developed your coding skills through independent online learning, created your very own project and immersed yourself into the world of data science through self motivation – clearly demonstrating your aptitude for applying new techniques and your willingness to progress your career.

Congratulations, you are now ready to enrol into an industry education program that focuses on practical skills training sought after by employers in the big data industry, and prepares you to get hired for your first data science job:

Institute of Data – Full-time data science & AI program

  • Full-time, running for 12 weeks
  • Focusing on data science and analytics
  • Intensive & interactive in-class experience
  • Career acceleration & job outcomes support – Tell me more

Institute of Data – Part-time data science & AI program

  • Part-time, running for 24 weeks
  • Focusing on data science, analytics and artificial intelligence
  • Interactive & interactive in-class experience, designed for working professionals
  • Career acceleration & job outcomes support – Tell me more

Conclusion

Once you invest time training your mind to think analytically, develop and test your programming skills at a pace that suits you – you will find yourself becoming more confident in your ability launch your big data career in an industry that’s looking to hire fresh, determined and committed professionals just like you.

Book a career consultation and find out more about how you can get trained in data science, analytics and AI with the Institute of Data. Part-time and full-time industry programs available now.

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