Do You Need a Certification in Data Science?

Hop on Quora and search for some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to data science and you’re sure to find at least one question related to data science certification and whether it’s necessary or not. While for an aspirant with no formal education, getting a data science certification might seem like the right thing to do, it is important to remember that there are numerous factors to consider before investing your time and money in a data science course. This article will introduce you to what data science is and why data science certification might or might be meant for you.

What is Data Science?

The 21st Century has witnessed an exponential growth in the need and importance of data. This massive change in demand and supply has led to data science being a key player in industries worldwide. 

Data science is a technologically advanced and skill-based career path that has exponentially risen to fame and relevance. Data science uses a combination of various tools, algorithms, and machine learning principles to understand and figure out hidden patterns from massive trenches of data. Data scientists are required to have prior knowledge and expertise in programming languages such as C++, Python, and R and should also be proficient in ML principles.

Read more on: Need for coding to learn Data Science

Data Science Certification: How to Choose the Right One

Certification in data science can act as the trump up your sleeve, but choosing the right one is extremely important. There are numerous certification courses out there and choosing the one meant for you can be a bit of a hassle. Let’s take a look at a few factors to consider while choosing a data science certification.

Skills Taught

Being a data scientist means being able to wade your way through the world of programming languages such as C, C++, Python, and R. It’s up to you to choose which language to learn first, and this choice will help you narrow down your options when it comes to certification courses in data science. Other skills that are absolutely essential are knowledge of Machine Learning Principles, being able to extract, manipulate and maintain data, and the ability to derive meaningful conclusions from hordes of data.

Duration of the Course

The duration of a certification course usually varies from a month to over a year depending upon the course you choose. The data science course that’s meant for a working professional might not be the one for an absolute beginner. The amount of time that you can invest in a data science certification course is definitely a major factor of consideration. 

Prerequisites of the Course

Most data science certifications do not have any prerequisites when it comes to joining them, but there are courses out there that’ll need to have prior knowledge in one or the other foundational skills. It is very important that you go through the prerequisites that are demanded by the certification course that you’re about to enroll in.

Mentors and Instructors

The fact that you’re considering a certification course in data science in and of itself is a testament to the fact that you’re looking to be mentored by an established professional or industry leader. Most course providers do have detailed descriptions of their faculties and it’s up to you to run through and decide if what they’re offering is what you’re searching for.

Data Science Certification: Is it Necessary?

The answer to this question is two-fold, yes a certification in data science can help you and no it’s not absolutely necessary.

Getting a data science certification has its own sets of perks and benefits. It gives you an edge over other candidates. It acts as proof of your skills and also acts as a promise to the fact that you know what you preach. Moreover, it’s an avenue through which you can learn new skills and find new opportunities.

But is it absolutely necessary for you to become a successful data scientist? No, it’s not. Recruiters get tons and tons of applications, and the chances of them verifying the authenticity of your certification course are very less. Rather they focus on projects done and skillsets acquired. If you manage to impress the recruiter in the interview, then whether or not you have a data science certification will hardly matter.

Data scientists are the need of the hour and we at Praxis recognize and understand this need. We are proud to offer a full-time PGP in Data Science that is trusted by market leaders and industries around the world. Our 9-month long program will ensure that you have all the tools necessary to become a renowned data scientist, and our remarkable placement record will ensure that you have no lack of opportunities as you start your career as a data scientist.