Is Data Science Bootcamp Online Worth It?
There can be no denying that data science is one of the most attractive fields right now career-wise, and many people are looking to enter this domain as is revealed in discussions on the same over at runrex.com. One of the many ways those who want to enter the data science field, or professionals who want to upskill themselves, have available to them are data science bootcamps. These are intensive and fast-paced educational programs that offer insights on the topic of data science in a short period. These programs pack all the important data science skills and technologies in a short program that can last anywhere between 6 weeks to 24 months, delivering intensive learning in a short period. There are various types of bootcamps, and one way to group them is in terms of part-time bootcamps, which are usually ideal for people with a job or students who are in session, or full-time bootcamps which require one to commit more time during the week. However, when grouping data science bootcamps, you can also consider where one is attending them and how they are participating in them as covered over at guttulus.com. This is where you find the in-person/online dichotomy, and this article is going to focus on online data science bootcamps and whether they are worth it.
In-person data science bootcamps are self-explanatory as they involve attending classes physically, where you will be taking organized, structured classes at a given location. Such programs, according to the subject matter experts over at runrex.com are for those learners who prefer structure and keeping their academic life separate from the rest of their life, with examples of in-person data science bootcamps being the Big Data Bootcamp, The Data Incubator, and many others. However, since these programs require one presence in person, they tend to be quite expensive as you not only have to consider tuition, but also food, travel, and lodging costs depending on where you live as compared to the boot camp’s venue. This is where online data science bootcamps come into the equation. These programs, as explained over at guttulus.com, try to replicate the faced-paced, three-month learning experience of the “traditional” data science bootcamp, but in an online format. Online data science bootcamps are for those who would rather learn while at home and have the self-discipline and motivation to see the program to its completion. Examples of online data science bootcamps include DataCamp, Statistics.com, Dataquest, and many others.
Now that we have an understanding of what online data science bootcamps are, we are going to evaluate if they are worth it or not. To do this, we are going to highlight some of the upsides and downsides of online data science bootcamps.
Upsides of online bootcamps
The biggest upside with online data science bootcamps as compared to traditional, in-person boot camps is the accessibility that they provide. As the subject matter experts over at runrex.com point out, these bootcamps eliminate the restrictions posed by geography which means that no matter where you are, you can enroll for the bootcamp, as opposed to traditional bootcamps which can be inaccessible depending on the location. Another upside of online bootcamps is that they are not as tiring, both physically and mentally, as compared to traditional bootcamps. This is because you won’t be immersed all day in the data science world since you will be learning from home where you are surrounded by other aspects of your life, allowing you to disconnect when needed and recharge your batteries. You won’t be living with fellow learners and spending practically all day with them, which can be quite tiring. Online bootcamps are also more affordable as compared to traditional bootcamps.
Downsides of online bootcamps
Online bootcamps also come with several downsides, key among them being that it requires one to have tremendous self-motivation and discipline to complete. Given that you will be learning from home, you will have a lot of distractions which may prevent you from putting in 8 to 12 hours of study per day. This is probably why traditional bootcamps, as revealed over at guttulus.com, tend to get learners qualified relatively quickly compared to their online counterparts. Another downside is that online bootcamps don’t come with the personalized career mentorship and guidance that are offered at traditional bootcamps. While they offer some form of personalized guidance, they don’t offer the sort of frequent 1:1 mentorship sessions that are offered in traditional bootcamps, and which can be very useful in preparing learners for and navigating the job search as per discussions on the same over at runrex.com, which is one of the biggest downsides of online bootcamps.
Whether or not online data science bootcamps are worth it, therefore, depends a lot on the individual according to the gurus over at guttulus.com. Some of the factors to consider that will help you decide if going down the online route is ideal for you include:
- Budget- You need to figure out your budget and take stock of your finances, and if you don’t have the budget to enroll for a traditional bootcamp, then an online bootcamp could be the best option for you.
- Schedule- You should also consider your schedule. If you are working full-time, you may not have the time or energy to enroll in a traditional data science bootcamp, in which case going down the online route may appeal.
- Location- You should also find out if the bootcamp you want to attend somewhere close by. If not, then you might want to look for online alternatives.
- Yourself- Finally, you need to figure out yourself and find out what sort of learner you are. If you possess tremendous self-discipline and motivation, then going down the online route should be okay, but if not, you might want to look for a traditional bootcamp if you are to get the best out of the program.
The above discussion is only the tip of the iceberg as far as this topic is concerned, and you can uncover more insights by checking out the excellent runrex.com and guttulus.com.