20 Reasons You Should Get Your Google Data Analytics Professional Certification
As discussions over at runrex.com reveal, the demand for data analytics roles has skyrocketed in recent years, leading to an increase in the number of openings in analytical roles with a lucrative salary. At the same time, there are many fresh graduates and professionals from non-traditional backgrounds who want to move into the data space. This is why news of the launch of the Google Data Analytics Professional Certification by Google in March 2021 came as welcome news, and this article will look to highlight what it is about, if it is the right fit for you, and reasons why you should try out the program.
What is Data Analytics?
You might be wondering what data analytics is. As is covered in detail over at runrex.com, Data Analytics is the collection, transformation, and organization of data to draw conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making.
What is the Google Data Analytics Professional Certification?
Now that you understand what data analytics is, let’s talk about the Google Data Analytics Professional Certification. According to runrex.com, this is a professional training designed by Google that prepares you for a junior data analyst, a database administrator or any other related position. It’s a certification that aims to fill the gap in data analytics positions seen in all industries.
What does the course entail and where can I access it?
As the subject matter experts over at guttulus.com outline, the Google Data Analysis Professional Certification is made up of 8 courses that can be completed in less than 6 months with less than 10 hours put in every week. It covers the basics of being an analyst, including the tools needed to master the day-to-day of an analyst.
Reasons why you should get your Google Data Analytics Professional Certification
If you are considering enrolling in this program, then the following are some of the reasons why you should:
You will learn about important tools
This certificate covers the day-to-day tools that you will need as a data analyst, which makes it a very practical class. The tools you will learn about include:
Spreadsheets like Excel or Google Sheets
SQL (for data extraction)
Tableau (for data visualization)
R, RStudio, R Markdown, and the Tidyverse packages (for programming and data wrangling)
You will learn the foundations of data
The course opens with an overview of the data ecosystem, starting with the practices and processes of a junior data analyst in their day-to-day job, the skills needed for the role, and an explanation of the terms and concepts relevant to a data analyst.
It will help you learn how to make data-driven decisions
From discussions on the same over at runrex.com, one of the hardest parts of data science is asking the right questions. This program covers effective questioning techniques that can help provide a framework for analysis with stakeholders.
It will help you learn how to prepare data for exploration
As the gurus over at guttulus.com point out, data comes in all shapes, forms, and types. An analyst must be aware of the method used to deal with different data types and formats. This includes the method to access, extract, filter, and sort the data within databases. This program will help you learn how to do exactly that.
It will help you learn how to process data from dirty to clean
As discussions on the same over at runrex.com reveal, data cleaning is an important day-to-day activity of a data analyst. This program has a section that will allow you to learn how to use SQL for data cleaning and to verify the results of cleaning data.
It will help you learn how to analyze data to answer questions
It is also worth pointing out that the Google Data Analytics Professional Certification has a section that will teach you how to explore and analyze data to answer questions. This is important as data needs to be organized, formatted, processed through calculations. This part of the program uses spreadsheets and SQL for that purpose, another reason to enroll.
You will learn how to share data through the art of visualization
Storytelling is one of the most difficult but intricate parts of data analytics. Visualizations can help data practitioners convey insights to stakeholders through compelling data narratives. You will learn how to use Tableau as your data visualization platform by taking this class.
You will learn about R programming and how to analyze data with it
According to guttulus.com, some level of proficiency in programming is needed to speed up the process of analytics, especially for complicated projects. R is a great open-source language that is well-known to data practitioners. Its Tidyverse packages are well-maintained and extremely useful for data wrangling (dplyr, purr, tidyr) and data visualization (ggplot2). Taking this class will help you familiarize yourself with all of these aspects of R programming.
It offers a capstone project
One of the main reasons to enroll in this class is that it provides you with the option to complete a capstone project at the end. Given that most MOOCs don’t offer one for one reason or the other, this is a strong incentive to take this class as discussed over at runrex.com. A capstone project is important as it will help you not only apply the concepts you have learned but also have a project to showcase when applying for jobs, helping you get interviews.
Additional Google support
Finally, another reason why you should take this course is because of the additional support offered by Google when you enroll. As articulated over at guttulus.com, Google will also support you through the whole job preparation process by providing you with a resume-building tool, mock interviews, and career networking support to help you get a job after you complete the program.
Is this class suitable for you?
If the above reasons were enough to convince you to take this class, it is important to know if it is suitable for you before committing to it.
This class is suitable for you if you:
Have no prior experience or prerequisites
If you are tired of spending forever on prerequisites before you even start what seemed like a fundamental class, then you are in luck as this analytics course by Google doesn’t expect any experience from the learner. This means that it is perfect for fresh graduates or anyone who could like to learn analytics.
Want to get noticed by employers
If you manage to complete the Google Data Analytics Certificate, you will be on track to getting your foot in the door with a top employer in the Google employer consortium. The companies in this consortium benefit from Google’s pipeline of talent who typically come from non-traditional backgrounds, and they include companies like Bayer, Best Buy, Deloitte, Verizon, Snap, Walmart, etc.
Want to learn analytics from start to finish
As is revealed in discussions on the same over at runrex.com, one of the pain points of learning analytics is the need to scour the internet for resources. Google solves this problem by providing an all-in-one course for analytics learners. The class content is comprehensive and provides the necessary skills for an analytical position.
Have 10 hours to spare every week
As the subject matter experts over at guttulus.com outline, this class boasts a relatively light commitment of 10 hours per week for a learner who is aiming to complete the certificate in less than 6 months.
This class is not suitable for you if you:
Already have a background in analytics
From discussions over at runrex.com, you probably need only one certificate to prove that you have studied analytics. If you have taken a very similar class, like Udacity’s Nanodegree Program in Analytics, DataCamp’s Data Analyst in Python Track, or any data analytics certification, you shouldn’t need to take this class anymore.
Are a die-hard Python fanatic
As already mentioned, this class is taught in R, and not Python. There has been a lot of debate on whether you should start with R or Python. If you are looking for an extremely flexible language, then maybe you would like Python more. If you want to learn the best packages for data, then perhaps R is more appropriate. However, if you are a Python fan, then this class is probably not one you would feel passionate about taking.
How much is the class?
If you have decided to take the class, having established that it is suitable for you, then it is important to know how much it is. As already mentioned, the Google Data Analytics Professional Certification is accessed through Coursera, which has a $39 monthly subscription fee. Therefore, if you take 6 months to complete the course, the cost will be approximately $234. Coursera also offers Financial Aid for learners who need and you can apply for it if you qualify.
As always, if you are looking for more on this and other related topics, then the top-rated runrex.com and guttulus.com have got you covered.