Introduction

Whether you’ve studied for years or are just now considering the transition, you’ll need to have the right toolset if you expect to succeed in the data science field. Rigorous and competitive, the field demands applicants stay up to speed on the latest info and data science practices.

In this guide, I’ll go over three different certification methods that can help you make a career in data science: data science certificates, data science bootcamps, and a data science master’s degree. Specifically, I’ll go over the pros and cons of each to give you a better idea of which is right for you.

Let’s jump in!

1. Data Science Certificate

A data science certificate is a professional certificate that teaches foundational data science skills. These certificates are offered by a number of universities and institutions and can theoretically aid in job recruitment across a variety of data-related IT fields (but more on that later).

Pros

There are a number of pros to obtaining a data science certificate:

· Portfolio Builder

You can’t expect to get any job in data science without a proper portfolio. A data science certificate can help you build just that. Though the certificate will provide only foundational knowledge, it will still help you lay the groundwork for a quality portfolio later on.

· Relatively Inexpensive

Compared to data science bootcamps and master’s degrees, which can run in the several thousands of dollars, data science certificates can be obtained for prices even under $500. This is great for those wishing to build their skillset and portfolios at a low cost.

· Not Time-Consuming

Some certificates can be finished in a matter of weeks (and on your own schedule). Due to the low level of rigor, individuals can expect to complete these certificates quickly and without needing to abdicate prior commitments (including work, studies, and child-rearing).

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