Is the IBM Data Science Certificate Worth It?
10 Reasons Why You Should Get The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
The world is becoming more data-driven every day. Organizations that embrace data-driven strategies are more likely to succeed than those that don’t.
But it’s not easy to extract insights from data, let alone apply them to strategic business planning. Enter the emerging field of data science.
Data scientists are the new rock stars of business, with an average salary of just under $100,000 in the United States, according to Payscale.
In this article, you’ll learn about the value of the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate and the top 10 reasons why you should get it. Let’s get started.
1. The demand for data scientists is on the rise
Data science has become a crucial area of business. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for data scientists is growing at 31%, which is one of the fastest-growing jobs today. Plus, you can expect this demand to only increase as organizations realize the value of data-driven strategies.
Data scientists are important because they leverage data to improve business results. According to Deloitte, many companies in the United States already face a supply gap in data science talent and they need to build their data teams.
By earning a data science certificate, you’ll have the skills needed to stand out in a growing job market. The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate won’t only help you land your next data scientist role, but it will bolster your current pay grade.
2. Learn from IBM’s leading experts
The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate program is a one-year program with a commitment of 3 to 6 hours per week. The aim of this program is to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills to become a proficient data scientist in the workforce.
With the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate, you’ll leverage the power of data analysis technologies. But you’ll also build advanced programming skills and train models using deep learning or artificial intelligence. Finally, you’ll develop an understanding of business analytics with skills in data visualization.
The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate is a great way for professionals to refresh or gain new skills in data science. If you’re already in the field, it will help you make sure that your skills are up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices.
3. You’ll learn advanced programming skills
As a data scientist, programming is a nice feather in your cap. It can help you automate workflow and leverage existing libraries. The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate program covers various programming languages, including SQL, Python, and RStudio.
As you learn to program, you’ll become more comfortable with the idea of writing code. Next, you can experiment with data exploration, which is a crucial skill for data scientists.
There are many steps in the data science process that can be automated, such as cleaning and transforming your data. By learning advanced programming skills in this certificate program, you’ll be prepared to tackle these kinds of challenges.
4. You’ll build confidence in applying data to business
Although data science is a young field, the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate is designed to be practical. It can also provide exposure to real-world experience. For instance, you will build and deploy models in production for specific business use cases.
Not only will you become more comfortable with data analysis, but you’ll also learn to recognize its value. This hands-on experience will help you become more confident in your ability to make decisions based on data.
At the end of this course, you will gain a solid foundation in data science. Then, you can take these skills and solve real-world business problems that you can apply data science to business goals.
5. You’ll build skills in machine learning
It’s no secret that machine learning (ML) is one of the most sought-after skills in the job market today. It’s a skill that has been in high demand for years now and it won’t be going away any time soon.
During the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate program, you will explore artificial intelligence with IBM Watson Studio. This data science platform allows you to experiment with different algorithms to create your own ML model.
But you will also learn open Python libraries like Scikit-Learn so you can dive into topics like natural language processing. As a data scientist, learning how to use ML is very valuable and exciting.
6. The cost is affordable with a flexible schedule
The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate program is a great way to prepare for a career in data science. But its biggest advantage is that you pay just a margin of the cost compared to traditional education.
With 10 skill-building courses designed by IBM, you get the most value for what you pay for. In addition, you will be able to showcase your data science skills with a capstone project at the end of the program.
It’s not only the cost, but you can learn with a flexible schedule that makes it easy to complete the certificate on your own time. This is particularly useful if you have duties outside of work and want to earn your certificate while still working.
7. You’ll get better at data visualization
Data visualization is the art of taking raw data and turning it into understandable information. It is a key skill for data scientists, and it can help you communicate insights to non-data scientists and decision-makers.
But admittedly, it’s a skill that takes time to master. Even if you know how to use a particular data visualization tool, it still takes time to design eye-catching visualizations.
In the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate program, you will hone in on your statistical tools. This includes tools like Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Jupyter Notebooks. But you will also develop skills in building interactive maps using libraries like Folium.
8. You’ll learn how to work effectively with data
As a data scientist, you’ll be working with loads and loads of data. Data is everywhere and often overlooked. You have a unique opportunity to leverage its power. For example, you can create dashboards that show key performance indicators.
You will learn to communicate data science concepts and present findings effectively for decision-making. Plus, you’ll discover how to frame your analyses to fit the decision-making process.
Working with data is a fundamental skill for data science professionals. The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate program will teach you about data and its limitations. You will also learn how to handle situations when data is limited or inaccurate.
9. You’ll become more proficient with databases and SQL
Because data scientists often work with databases. one essential skill is that they need to know how to use them to maintain, extract, and store data. They also need to know how to configure and optimize databases to get the most out of them.
The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate program will help you get familiar with SQL. This is the standard language of database systems. But in many cases, data scientists work with data in the form of big data, which requires its own set of skills and equipment.
Businesses are using NoSQL and SQL DB to manage data, so data scientists must be skilled with these technologies to succeed. By the end of this course, you’ll have a firm grasp of SQL and be better prepared to tackle data science problems.
10. You’ll develop an understanding of business analytics
Business analytics is an exciting field, where you can apply data science and technology to improve results. This certificate program is designed to be applicable to real-world data science use cases, so you’ll be able to leverage the skills you learn.
For instance, you will apply skills in data science and machine learning in a capstone project using a real-life business scenario. In addition, you will gain hands-on skills with SciPy. This scientific computation library can help you build a predictive model.
With this course, you’ll become familiar with the most common data analysis techniques. Then, you’ll learn how to apply them to real-world scenarios. Overall, the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate program will give you a competitive edge in the job market.
Conclusion
Data science is a fast-growing field that’s just starting to take off. With the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate, you’ll see why data science is a top career choice.
Data science has the potential to change how companies operate. You will learn how to use advanced programming skills and data technologies for business analytics.
The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate is valuable because you can update or learn new skills. Plus, it will make sure you’re up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices.
Although the job market can be challenging, this certificate program can help you stand out and land your next data role. With this certificate, you’ll learn how to apply data science to help companies succeed in this exciting field.
FAQ
The value of the certificate is based on the knowledge you’ll gain and the skills you’ll develop. Since the program is a mix of coursework and applied projects, you’ll get the benefits of a hybrid learning model. But the best part is that online courses let you learn anywhere, anytime, and at your own pace.
The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate offered by EdX allows you to try the course before you purchase it to see if you like it. You earn the certificate once you complete all the courses. But there is a cost to obtaining the certificate.
In order to enroll in the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate, no prior experience is required. The program is designed for anyone with an interest in data science who’s comfortable working with data. Participants can range from aspiring data analysts and data engineers to anyone who has a basic understanding of data analytics. Although basic programming and statistical knowledge aren’t necessary, they will help you throughout your coursework.
Absolutely. The certificate comes from EdX, one of the most reputable partners in online education. Whereas the program is offered by IBM, which is a global leader in technology. There’s no better way to learn data science than from the EdX platform with this certificate.
If you’re interested in the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate, you can register from the EdX course catalog. Each course comes with different learning materials such as videos, reading, and quizzes. As you work through the courses, you’ll also get access to the discussion forums, where you can ask questions and interact with other students who are interested in data science.
I am interested in your Professional Data Science Certificate, is this certificate program accredited by any higher institution of learning? Can I complete the entire program in 6 months?
The time recommendation is that you spend 3 to 6 hours per week over a duration of one year.