A guide to AI certifications

The data analytics industry has grown rapidly in recent years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of data scientists is projected to grow 36 percent from 2023 to 2033, which is about nine times faster than the average growth of 4 percent for all occupations. The field offers lots of job options; however, it can also be competitive. If you’re a Data Analyst or want to become a Data Analyst, anything that can help you stand out will be an advantage, and a data analytics certification is a great way to stand out. 

There are many different certification options out there for data analytics, and no matter what your area of interest, you’re likely to find a certification that will fit your needs. Unlike some other educational achievements, which only require completion of a certain learning path, most certifications are earned by passing a standardized test. They provide an independent verification that you have mastered a particular set of skills, and this makes them valuable. This article will explain how to earn these certifications and provide you with the context needed to make the right decision for your professional goals.

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Popular certifications for data analytics

Data analytics certifications come from educational institutions, professional organizations, and software providers. There are a large number of different certifications, each with different requirements and exam fees. In most cases, you’ll need to test in person at an approved testing center. Here are just a few of the available options for data analytics certification:

• CompTIA Data+: This is designed for professionals who are just starting out in the field of data analytics. To earn it, you’ll need to have skills in data analysis, data mining, visualization, data governance, and data concepts and environments. The exam has 90 questions and is 90 minutes long. It costs $253.
• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP): This certification verifies a number of analytics skills, including getting data, model building, problem framing, deployment, and life cycle management. To earn it, you need a bachelor’s degree and four years of professional experience, or eight years of experience if you don’t have a degree. There is a $55 application fee, and the exam is $440 for INFORMS members or $640 for non-members.
• AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty: This verifies your knowledge of data analytics while working with AWS cloud services. It is recommended that you have two years of AWS experience and five years of data analytics experience. The exam costs $300.
• Microsoft Certified Power BI Data Analyst Associate: This certification shows your proficiency in Microsoft Power BI. You should also be proficient in Power Query and Data Analysis Expressions (DAX). The exam takes 100 minutes and costs $165.

Reasons to earn a data analytics certification

There are a lot of compelling reasons to pursue a data analytics certification. These credentials are often valued by employers because they are an independent assessment of what you know. In an article on its website titled “The Value of Certification,” certification provider Certiport says, “In a world where competition for jobs, pay increases, and academic success continues to increase, certifications offer hope because they are a credible, third-party assessment of one’s skill and knowledge for a given subject.

Many people pursue certification to gain a professional advantage. If you’re searching for a job, having a certification on your resume can help you stand out, and if you already have a job but you’re trying to advance, a certification can also help with that; researchers have found that professionals who have a certification are more likely to get a job, receive a promotion, and earn a higher salary.

Certification is also an effective way to ensure that you keep your skills up to date in what is a rapidly changing field. When you prepare for the certification, you’ll learn about the latest technology and processes in that field. In addition, certification shows employers that you’re serious about staying current, which can make you a more valuable employee.

There are also many other benefits to certification. It can be an effective way to fill a skills gap in your resume. It can also make you more versatile and better prepared for job market changes in the future. Finally, by adding to your skills, it can help you work more effectively.

How to choose a data analytics certification

While some tech specializations have a relatively small number of certifications, when it comes to data analytics, an overwhelming number of certifications exist, and it can be difficult to know which one to pick. There are lots of things to consider when you’re trying to narrow it down. Your career goals are one of the first factors to think about; where are you trying to go in your career, and what is your purpose for certification? By understanding this, you’ll be better able to choose a certification that fulfills your needs. You should also do some research on your certification options to get a better understanding of what employers are looking for and how well-recognized each certification is. Finally, practical considerations are important, which means making sure you pick a certification that you have the time and money to pursue. Every certification is associated with different fees and requires a different time investment.

How to get certified in data analytics

If you’re interested in getting certified, you likely have many questions about learning data analytics as a whole, how to prepare, and how to take the exam. A certification course is a popular way to get certified because it answers all of these questions for you. Professional training schools like Noble Desktop run certification classes, which are designed for students who want to earn a specific certification. A class takes the guesswork and worry out of the process because you’ll have a professional to guide you through learning, and you can be confident that they’ll cover everything that you’ll need to know to pass the test. Most certification courses start with classes that go over all the skills and knowledge that you’ll be tested on. You may also have the opportunity to take a practice test. After that, you’ll take the actual certification test. Many classes include both the test and a free retake if you need it.