Leveraging Data Science Certifications to Fuel Your Data Science Career

1. Leveraging Data Science Certifications to Fuel Your Data Science Career Data is available in abundance today with everything we do online and offline generating huge amounts of data every moment. It is further fuelled by the widespread use of IoT devices. The point is, that organizations now have access to an ocean of data that can be used to extract insights that can transform businesses. Data science is a field that can translate raw data into meaningful insights and boost the growth of businesses by helping them with data-driven decision-making. A recent study by IBM stated 83% of organizations reaped the benefit of using AI and data science was one of the key drivers. This increased adoption of data science has also increased the demand for skilled and certified data science professionals. Data science jobs are currently the fifth fastest-growing jobs in the world. And for aspiring data scientists, certifications can prove to be a valuable stepping stone towards a successful career. In this article, let us explore the benefits of data science certifications, how to choose one, and some of the best certifications to consider. Benefits of Data Science Certifications Earning a data science certificate can offer you several benefits for your data science career including: •Validate your data science skills and expertise When the data science job market is growing rapidly, the competition is also increasing in the same proportion. By validating your data science skills and expertise with topdata science certifications, you can distinguish yourself from the rest of the crowd. A Harvard Business Review study reported that 54% of organizations find it difficult to hire candidates with the necessary skills. So, in such cases, certifications can be of great help. •Well-defined learning path Certifications provide a well-structured learning path including a well-organized curriculum to help you understand the core data science concepts in depth. •Industry recognition Many data science certifications including USAII®, Harvard, IBM, etc. hold high weightage and are widely recognized across industries. Also, specialized certifications like Microsoft Azure, IBM Watson, or Google GCP can provide industry recognition for your expertise. •Networking Opportunities Several certifications offer opportunities to network with other professionals in this domain. Having a healthy relationship with other data science professionals can enhance your value within the data science community, ultimately helping in getting hired and making data science job switches.

2. •Career advancement Having a certification under your belt shows your commitment to professional development. Moreover, data science certifications consist of the latest and advanced data science tools and technologies, that help you stay relevant in the industry. How to choose the right certification? When you look to enrol in any data science certification, you will get a plethora of options available catering to different contents and expertise. Here are a few things to consider: •Experience level: there are certifications for beginners. Intermediate-level data science professionals, and advanced data science certifications. Each focus on specific concepts based on the experience level of the applicants. •Career goals: decide whether you want to be a data analyst, data engineer, or data scientist. Also consider if you have any industry in mind like healthcare, finance, or retail. And choose a certification aligning with your career path. •Course curriculum: have a thorough look at the course content of the certification you want to enrol in. Check if need that knowledge and if will it be beneficial for your career. •Cost and time commitment: finally check the cost of certification and how much time you want to commit to gain and validate your new skills. Choose whether you want to pursue online self-paced certifications or classroom-based instructor-led certifications. Top Data Science Certification Programs Here are some of the most popular and widely recognized data science certifications to help you do your research. Beginner-Level •Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate Learn entry-level data analytics skills like data wrangling, data visualization, and tools like Python and SQL. •Certified Data Science Professional (CDSP™) Master the fundamentals of data science in this top data science certification offered by USDSI®. •Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Analyst Associate Validate your ability to work with Microsoft Azure cloud services through this certification. Intermediate-Level •AWS Certified Data Analytics – Speciality Demonstrate your skills in using AWS services for data analysis, data visualization, etc. •Certified Lead Data Scientist (CLDS™) Solidify your credibility with this detailed data science certification as a Data Science Leader. Advanced-Level

3. •Certified Senior Data Scientist (CSDS™) This is another data science certification from USDSI® designed for senior-level data science professionals who want to learn and validate the data science skills needed to transform their organization and lead advanced data science projects with the latest data science tools and technologies. Additional Tips If you want to make a successful career in data science, consider additional steps beyond just data science certifications. Build a strong portfolio of personal projects, Kaggle Competitions, or any other open-source contributions. Conclusion With the data science industry growing at an unprecedented rate, it is highly recommended to upskill yourself with the latest data science tools and technologies and validate your knowledge and expertise with these top data science certification programs. The data science certifications are not mandatory, yet an exceptional addition to your resume to boost your data science career.