If you are planning to get data science certified for your career growth, then you are probably on the right track. However, there is a great confusion about whether data science certification is a right investment or not.
Data science certifications are the credentials used to learn new data science skills, enhance credibility, and validate skills and expertise. These credentials can significantly boost a candidate’s data science career. According to USDSI®, certified data science professionals can earn 40% higher salaries than their non-certified counterparts. But, earning a data science certification requires an investment of a lot of time and money. Some data science certifications can take months to complete and can cost thousands of dollars.
Therefore, if you are looking to earn a certification for yourself, then you need to ask these three important questions before you register:
- Do I need a data science certification?
- What type of data science certification is good for me?
- Which are the best data science certifications to choose from?
Answering these three important questions will help you decide whether you actually need a certification or not and which is the right certification for your data science career.
So, let’s try to answer these and help you make the right decision.
#1 Do I Need a Data Science Certification?
This is a highly personalized question, and every individual needs to analyze their current situation to better answer this question. A data science certification is particularly beneficial when you are looking to advance in your career, i.e., when you want to learn new skills or, want to switch your job, or simply want to get recognition in your field.
Data science certifications can be especially beneficial for graduates, students, and young professionals who are looking to get started with their data science careers.
For them, earning a certification can help by:
- Empowering applicants with the latest in-demand and industry-relevant data science skills
- Gain knowledge of the latest data science tools and technologies
- Validate skills and gain practical knowledge with real-world projects
- Network with other data science professionals
- Gain competitive advantage over other data science beginners.
All these benefits can get you your first data science job faster. Similarly, it will help when you are looking to change your job as well.
#2 What type of data science certification is good for me?
Now, the second important question is – what type of data science certification is good for you?
Basically, there are various types of certification programs that cater to different learning needs and career goals. Some major types of data science certifications are:
- Covering specific data science skills and tools like Microsoft Azure, Data analytics, Cloud certifications, etc.
- Certifications to validate experience and expertise like certifications for data engineer, senior data scientists, data analysts, etc.
- Generalized certification that validates general qualification in data science for specific industries like healthcare, finance, marketing, etc.
The best way to answer this question is by analyzing your current and future career goals. Identify the new skills you want to learn, and decide what is the next role you want to take up in your data science career. For example, if you want to validate your knowledge as a senior data scientist, go for Certified Senior Data Scientist (CSDS™) offered by USDSI®.
#3 Which is the best data science certification for me?
So, now that you have decided you need certification and also finalized what type of certifications are best for your career, it’s time to shortlist and register for the best data science certification. There are numerous data science certification options available in the market. You need to select the right certification program offered by top institutes, professional bodies, tech giants, and universities that are credible and recognized by employers.
Here are some of the most widely recognized data science certification programs that you can consider:
Beginner level:
- Certified Data Science Professional (CDSP™) by USDSI®
- Data Science Certification from IBM
- Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
Intermediate level:
- Cloudera Certified Data Scientist
- Professional Data Science Certificate from Harvard University
- Certified Lead Data Scientist (CLDS®) by USDSI®
- Professional Certificate in Machine Learning from MIT
- Advanced Level:
- Certified Senior Data Scientist (CSDS®) by USDSI®
- Certified Machine Learning Scientist By Iabac
- Certified Data Management Professional By CDMP.Info
These are some of the best and most recognized certifications that you can choose based on your requirements.
Conclusion
Data science certifications are definitely worth investing in, and if you earn the certificate at the right intervals in your career, then it can add great value to your professional profile. Before registering in any certificate program, you must consider the cost, duration, and course curriculum to ensure you earn the right certification for yourself. By answering the above three questions, you can make the right decision and take your data science career to the next level. So, analyze your career goals, identify your professional needs, check out the top data science certification programs, and register now.