Data Learning Path
A new year always means aligning your goals and visions to who you want to be. A goal of mine has been to finish a coursera course because I tend to start and lose momentum but instead of waiting for a new year, I started the course in December. Here’s why…
A new year is great for feeling like you can restart, reinvent, rediscover or just re-whatever you feel like sheds the old from the new. A lot of people join the gym for the first time, learn a new coding language or just make big plans. I am pro what works for you and I have found that re-aligning myself prior to the new year helps me to go into the new year head on. I signed up for the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate which is offered on Coursera.
This course costs roughly R250 per month and you determine how long it will take to finish it. It is estimated to take 6 months with an average pace of about 10 hours a week. I am less than 2 months in and just over halfway and here’s why. I made a decision that I wanted this certificate by end of February because I want to use it for something. Luckily, I was working throughout December which meant I was already in work mode so I used most of my days either working or studying. Could be excitement, could be impatience or both but I have been consistent like a soldier and it is starting to pay off. I also did not want to pay for a long time so that definitely contributed to my dedication.
The course is divided into 8 categories. They all teach you something and my favorite so far has been the “Analyze Data to Answer Questions” because this helps you make sense of your data. You learn how to perform complex calculations and use SQL to do your analysis. The course teaches you how to manipulate spreadsheets, use SQL and R and gives you introductory-level data analysis skills which can help you land a entry level gig. No experience is needed for this course which is why it is so great.
There are tons of alternatives that are free and shorter or longer but I have enjoyed the pace and structure of this course. You earn a shareable certificate at the end and there are quizzes throughout that test your understanding. If you already a guru in the data analysis role then this may not be for you unless you want to touch up. If you are keen on trying to see if data analysis is for you then I would recommend this course.
I will give a full review once done but for now, let me soldier on!