In today’s digital ecosystem, businesses and organizations are collecting unimaginable amounts of data on their customers, users, clients, and constituents. In 2020, approximately 40 zettabytes of data were created (or 40 billion terabytes, roughly 50 times the amount of sand on all the world’s beaches). This is an unfathomable amount of data and it is impossible for human beings to manage without the aid of computers. Data science is the process of building computer programs and databases to store, query, organize, and interpret this data, and it is rapidly becoming one of the most in-demand career fields in the country. Not only is the ability to organize and analyze data immensely useful in the private commercial sector, but it is an important part of successful public administration, outreach, and scientific work. No matter what field you are hoping to enter, it is likely that you can put data science skills into practice in those fields.
One of the best ways to find a career in data science is through immersive skills training. No matter how old you are, there are options available to you for live in-person or online data science courses, and many of these courses are specifically designed to run over the summer to allow students to enroll during their breaks. These immersive courses will give students the training they need to start mastering data science principles. In most of these summer programs, students will learn how to use programming languages like Python and SQL to build and organize databases, and they will practice machine learning skills that allow computers to make use of this massive amount of data without the direct supervision of a human operator. Data science courses also tend to teach students data visualization skills and tools to help them interpret data and communicate their findings to other invested stakeholders.
Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Learn Data Science
While any time is a good time to learn data science, summer is one of the best times for students of all ages to sign up for a course. For elementary level students and preteens, data science camps are a great way to meet new friends and learn important life skills, while preparing for long-term success in STEM subjects. These camps are designed to be recreational and provide students with an enjoyable and memorable experience. This will position younger children to understand STEM, and data science in particular, as something that can be practical and fun, rather than monotonous and boring. Summer data science camps can instill a lifelong love of technology and bolster curiosity and problem-solving skills in children.
By the time students are in high school, they are far more likely to know what they want out of a summer course and understand how these summer sessions can help them meet their goals. This may involve preparing for an AP high school class or getting a jump-start on a college computer science program, but regardless of the end goal, summer data science classes are a great tool for expanding a student’s knowledge of computer programming and setting them up for long-term success in any of their data science related endeavors.
While most adults don't have a summer break they can use for professional development training, summer is a time where course offerings are more abundant, particularly those offered through accredited colleges and universities. Owing to the nature of school semesters, professional instructors are more likely to be able to teach open enrollment courses over the summer, meaning that adult learners can select from a deeper pool of course offerings. Summer is also an ideal time to learn, simply because the weather is nicer, the days are longer, and the general mood is more positive.
What Will Students Learn in a Summer Data Science Course?
When students enroll in a data science bootcamp or certificate program, they will learn a new set of skills, languages, and tools. Data Scientists need programming, mathematics, statistics, data analysis, and effective communication skills. Students will also learn about database design, querying, and machine learning.
Coding
Coding is integral to data science. Some of the languages you will learn in a data science course include Python, R, JavaScript, Java, Scala, C, C++, and MATLAB. Data Scientists use these languages for data collection, analysis, gaining insights, and generating visualizations. You will also learn to use libraries of pre-written code to expedite and streamline programming tasks.
Statistics and Mathematics
Data Scientists also need a solid foundation in mathematics and statistics. For instance, linear algebra is used for data organization and problem-solving, while calculus is employed for developing machine learning algorithms. Statistics is arguably the most crucial, as it is employed in the entire data science process, from data collection and analysis to pattern identification and sharing insights.
Data Storytelling and Visualization
Understanding the significance of storytelling and data visualization is crucial in the field of data science. While data itself can be abstract, Data Scientists can effectively convey its meaning using concrete examples and visual aids such as tables, charts, and graphs.
Database Management
Data Scientists also learn how to organize and manage databases, which are collections of data. These systems enable the setup, retrieval, and storage of data for future use. SQL is a widely used programming language for working with large databases.
Machine Learning
Another important skill in data science involves creating algorithms for machine learning and artificial intelligence. AI is frequently used for tasks such as pattern recognition and automation, like providing recommendations on shopping websites or for movies and TV shows on streaming platforms. Machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence, involves using data and algorithms to enable AI to simulate the way humans learn.
What Industries Hire People with Data Science Skills?
Most businesses today use data to plan for the future, but some industries rely more on data science than others. Financial services, marketing and advertising, and healthcare are some of the leading industries hiring people with data science skills.
Financial Services
Data Scientists working in the finance industry primarily use data to make predictions. Data forecasting involves collecting past information and using it to predict current or future events. By combining data science with machine learning, data forecasting creates predictive analytics models that offer insight into future events for executives, investors, and entrepreneurs in these industries.
Marketing and Advertising
The field of marketing and advertising offers numerous applications for Data Scientists in machine learning and algorithms. Social media platforms and applications use algorithms to gather user data to enhance the user experience and target consumers with additional products and services. By analyzing this data, Data Scientists can gain valuable insights into user behavior, including time spent online and user activities on a platform or website. This user-generated data can then be leveraged to predict and shape user engagement through algorithms and recommendation systems.
Healthcare
Whether you are interested in working with the storage and organization of patient data or offering data-driven solutions for critical issues, the healthcare industry is considered one of the most crucial fields in our society, making it an attractive option for Data Scientists who have expertise in this area. Data Scientists in the medical industry should possess comprehensive knowledge of querying, database design, data analysis, and programming. They also analyze the functioning of hospitals and healthcare institutions and propose ideas to help hospital staff save costs or improve efficiency in patient care and procedures. Beyond institutional settings, Data Scientists with advanced expertise in the healthcare industry also engage in research, analyzing study results involving multiple healthcare institutions.
Data Science Job Titles
Data Scientist
Data Scientists analyze and interpret data to generate actionable plans for their employers. Their daily tasks can include cleaning, collecting, and analyzing data, creating visualizations, making predictions, conducting research, and testing hypotheses. These skills are valuable for producing reports, predictions, risk assessments, and driving product or service improvements. Data Scientists earn a yearly salary around $120,000.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts gather, process, and interpret data to provide valuable insights for informed decision-making by their organization. Data Analysts are employed across various sectors, such as retail, technology, healthcare, and government, and their daily tasks can vary widely. They are responsible for collecting and organizing data, drawing meaningful conclusions, and effectively communicating findings to stakeholders. Collaboration with teams, report generation, pattern recognition, and data infrastructure setup are common aspects of a Data Analyst's work. Additionally, Data Analysts may specialize in analyzing data for business, research, or financial purposes. The yearly salary for a Data Analyst is about $150,000.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts use data science skills to analyze problems and provide data-driven business solutions. A Business Analyst's responsibilities often involve investigating a company's objectives, challenges, and potential solutions, analyzing data, communicating with key individuals in the organization, documenting findings, presenting conclusions, assessing and implementing solutions, facilitating communication between teams, and organizing and participating in meetings. Business Analysts make around $83,000 a year.
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers develop computer programs that allow machines to carry out tasks without explicit instructions. This role merges computer programming and data science to facilitate systems in learning and enhancing their capabilities autonomously through machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence. Machine Learning Engineers are employed across diverse industries such as technology, finance, manufacturing, education, IT, automotive, and even the fast food sector, and they earn an annual salary of $140,000.
Data Engineer
Data Engineers are responsible for establishing the framework for data and organizing it into a functional system that Data Scientists can use to analyze extensive datasets. Data Engineers may specialize in pipelines, databases, platforms, warehouses, infrastructure, or work as generalists. They collaborate with Data Scientists, upper-level management, Data Analysts, Developers, Data Architects, DevOps Engineers, Database Administrators, and Database Architects. Typically, Data Engineers make about $125,000 a year.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators manage databases, securely storing and organizing data to ensure that it is accessible only to authorized users. Some specialize in Systems or Applications, while others work on all aspects of database administration. They are employed in various industries, including computer systems design, IT, insurance, finance, and healthcare, and collaborate with Data Analysts, Management, and Developers. Database Administrators earn a yearly salary of around $85,000.
How to Choose the Right Summer Data Science Course
Choosing the right summer data science program can be challenging, especially if you are browsing for a course for someone other than yourself. Each course will cover a different curriculum and have a different pedagogical approach to teaching data science. However, you can keep a few things in mind when enrolling in a summer data science class.
When looking at summer data science courses for younger children, consider that the program's lessons might not be the most important thing to dwell on. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t look at what kind of data science curriculum is being taught. Still, these classes tend to be more about building fundamental skills and instilling curiosity and problems skills than they are about practical data science work. The goal is less to transform a child into a future Data Scientist than to demonstrate to them that data science and STEM work can be a fun and enjoyable experience that they want to pursue as they get older.
High school students should consider their long-term goals and judge whether any training program will be an ideal fit for them. The most significant concern is whether or not the course is designed to supplement existing high school programming classes (such as those designed to prepare students for AP computer science classes) or to serve as a pre-college level class to ease students into a computer science degree program. While these may be interchangeable for some students, most will want to find a high school summer data science course that suits their immediate needs.
Adults and college students will be more concerned with their long-term goals when searching for a summer data science class. Anyone looking for a significant career change will need to look for an immersive training program in the vein of Noble Desktop’s Data Science Certificate program. These programs are designed to help students looking to shift into a new career and need extensive hands-on training to prepare themselves. Students looking to build job skills that fit in with their existing training may consider enrolling in a shorter class, like Noble’s Python for Data Science Bootcamp. These classes will help build important career skills in a shorter time frame, but anyone looking for a full career shift will likely need significant amounts of additional training.
Classes For Adults & College Students
Summer training is most commonly associated with high school students working on projects over their break, but there are several courses for adults and college students that run over the summer. These courses can be ideal places to learn data science skills, full-time for college students or part-time for adults looking to train in their off-hours. Students interested in exploring their options for live online or in-person data science classes can compare offerings using Noble Desktop’s Classes near Me Tool. It is important to compare options since data science is such a massive field that students who want to specialize in one element of the process may want to consider narrower training options.
1. Noble Desktop: Data Science Certificate
Noble Desktop offers a Data Science Certificate program that is perfect for anyone hoping to find work as a Data Scientist. In this class, students will receive hands-on training in Python and SQL so that they are equipped to create and manage databases that are organized, accessible, and functional. In addition, students will begin to work with machine learning algorithms to automate basic data processes and streamline the work of analysis and interpretation. Upon completing this course, students will receive a certificate of completion that will demonstrate their proficiency in data science skills to potential employers.
2. Noble Desktop: Data Analytics Certificate
Data is only as good as your ability to draw inferences and information from it; this is where data analytics skills come into play. In Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate program, students will learn the basics of data science using Python and SQL, then they will learn how to use tools like Excel, Tableau, and Microsoft BI to interpret, analyze, and present this data. Data Analysts work in almost every industry, including the financial industry, business and commerce, government, healthcare, and professional sports. Almost every facet of the modern economy relies on data collection, so learning how to draw inferences from this data is invaluable for businesses and organizations looking to remain competitive.
3. Noble Desktop: Python Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp
One of the most commonly used programming languages in data science is Python. Noble Desktop’s Python Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp is an immersive course that teaches students how to use Python for specific data science functions. In this class, students will learn how to build and query Python databases, automate data collection processes and create data visualizations. In addition, students will dedicate significant classroom time to building machine learning algorithms, which can help with data automation and analysis when dealing with datasets far too large for human beings to work with. This class is a great place to learn the basics of professional data science in preparation for entry into this in-demand career field.
4. Noble Desktop: SQL Bootcamp
Students looking for a more accelerated course offering may want to consider Noble’s SQL Bootcamp. Standard Querying Language (SQL) is the other most commonly used programming language in computer science and it is a vital component of modern database infrastructure. SQL is important for storing, querying, organizing, and retrieving data from servers in a timely and efficient manner, making it important for any project that is working with large datasets. In this class, students will receive hands-on training in using SQL to build databases and undertake elaborate querying processes, such as subqueries, filters, and IF-else logical queries. Students will need additional training if they want to work as professional Data Scientists but this course is an ideal way to lay the foundation for a future career in the field.
5. General Assembly: Data Science Immersive
General Assembly’s Data Science Immersive is a live training course, offered in-person or online, that teaches students the basic and intermediate skills associated with careers in the field of data science. In this class, students will learn data science fundamentals like Python and SQL and they will receive training in advanced skills like machine learning. Students will receive lessons in current data science trends and newly developing technologies to help them stay on the cutting edge of the career field.
6. General Assembly: Data Analytics Immersive
The Data Analytics Immersive aims to provide students with the tools that they need to enter into a career as a Data Analyst. Aimed at providing practical instruction, this class teaches students how to use SQL, Python, their assorted libraries, and programs like Tableau and Power BI to create detailed data visualizations and actionable plans based on analyses of data. This course is based largely on business intelligence datasets but the lessons learned in this class can be applicable to almost any industry that utilizes data analytics (which is increasingly becoming all industries).
7. General Assembly: Python Programming
In order to work with large datasets and machine learning processes, you first need to understand how to use programming languages like Python. While almost all immersive data science classes teach the language, it can be useful to take a focused course to learn the basics of Python. In this Python Programming class, students will learn the basics of computer programming and the foundational syntax and grammar of Python. This course is taught by experienced instructors and enrolling is a good way to learn the basics of the language in preparation for more detailed data science training.
8. Flatiron School: Data Science
Flatiron School offers full-time and part-time training in data science. In this course, students will receive hands-on instruction in the use of SQL and Python for organizing and interpreting datasets. Using real-world examples, students will learn how to take unorganized, massive collections of data and transform them into usable graphs, charts, and other visualizations. This class will also teach students the fundamentals of machine learning so that they can bypass the more rote elements of interpreting and analyzing data. This course is a good fit for anyone looking for an immersive data science education.
9. Data Science Dojo: Data Science Bootcamp
Data Science Dojo specializes in data science training and education and they offer part-time and full-time data science bootcamps for students interested in learning skills like Python and SQL over a summer session. In its Data Science Bootcamp, students will learn advanced data science and analytic skills, including predictive modeling, model hyperparameters, linear regression models, and big data engineering. By the end of this course, students will be equipped with a practical knowledge of data science that they can take into the workforce.
Classes For High School Students & Teenagers
Summer break is an ideal time for high school students to begin preparing themselves for long-term success by taking guided training courses that can help them build their skills for the future. For example, students interested in careers in finance, entrepreneurship, STEM, or advocacy can benefit from enrolling in a summer data science course for high school students. Data science is such a widely applicable skill set that almost anyone can benefit from learning the basics of the field.
10. NextGen Bootcamp: Python Data Science & Machine Learning Live Online
NextGen Bootcamp offers a Python Data Science & Machine Learning course designed for high school students interested in receiving practical, hands-on training in data science and analytics. This class will teach students the basics of coding using the Python programming language, making this an ideal class for students who are interested in computer science but aren’t sure what kind of languages they would like to learn. Students will learn how to write code, make conditional statements using Python, and wrangle and clean data. The course concludes by teaching students the basics of machine learning algorithms. This course is a versatile class that is well-suited for anyone hoping to prepare for an AP course or anyone hoping to get a jump-start on their college computer science curriculum.
11. NextGen Bootcamp: Java Programming Summer Program
In NextGen Bootcamp’s Java Programming Summer Program, students will receive expert instruction in the fundamentals of computer programming using Java, arguably the most popular programming language in the world. While not strictly focused on its use in data science, Java is often used to organize, catalog, and interpret data points and the language is versatile enough that it will help complement any additional, specific programming languages you might want to learn. This class is best suited for students who are interested in STEM and computer science but aren’t entirely certain what direction they want to take with their training. Similar to the Python learning course, this is also a great way to prepare yourself for more advanced programming training and education.
12. NextGen Bootcamp: Computer Science Summer Certificate Program
For students looking for a more well-rounded training experience, NextGen Bootcamp offers a Computer Science Summer Certificate program that teaches the basics of both Java and Python to high school students who aspire to learn computer science. This course, which is open to programmers of all experience levels, will teach students how to write, compile, and debug code in both Java and Python. This makes the course especially appealing for students looking to go into a computer science or data science career, since these languages are especially useful in those fields. Students will receive a certificate of completion, which can be very helpful for building college application materials and they will have laid the groundwork for future immersive training in virtually all fields of computer science.
13. NextGen Bootcamp: Python Data Science & Machine Learning Program
Students who want to learn data science in an immersive, in-person classroom environment may want to consider NextGen Bootcamp’s Python Data Science and Machine Learning Program NYC offers students in the Manhattan area the chance to learn important data science principles from experienced instructors at NextGen’s state-of-the-art tech lab. In this class, students will receive hands-on instruction in using Python to build, organize, and query databases and they will have the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded students on projects. Students enrolled in this class will learn the basics of machine learning programs and they will set themselves up for success in more advanced data science training programs.
14. NextGen Bootcamp: Computer Science Summer Program
NextGen Bootcamp offers a live, in-person Computer Science Summer Program at their Manhattan campus. This course affords students the opportunity to learn hands-on computer science skills from expert instructors in a high tech environment. This course will teach students the foundational skills they need to become advanced programmers, such as how to write, debug, and compile. They will do this while learning two of the most versatile and popular programming languages, Python and Java. These languages are especially useful for students looking to further their data science education, as Python is among the most important data-related programming languages and Java is versatile enough to be useful in almost any context.
15. Digital Media Academy: Analyze Data Using Python
Digital Media Academy is a Silicon Valley-based tech education center that provides students aged 15-18 with computer science training either in-person or online. Their Analyze Data Using Python course offers an introduction to data science. Students will learn the basics of computer programming and they will do this by learning the basics of Python, which is a vital language for building data science programs and applications. Over the run of the course, students will work with practical exercises to functional databases and programs that organize and query those databases. This course is an ideal entry-point for students interested in learning how to code and how to use their coding knowledge for practical purposes.
16. Digital Media Academy: What Can You Do With Data
This data literacy course provides high school students with a high-level overview of the practical applications of data science. Less focused on programming knowledge (though the modules do teach students the basics of Python), this course explores what industries and professions make use of large datasets and how they analyze and interpret that data. This course will cover lessons in entrepreneurship, digital marketing, data privacy law, and city planning all as case studies of ways in which businesses and organizations rely on data. This is a multifaceted course that can help students get a taste of all of the different paths they can take with further data science training.
17. iD Tech: Intro to Python for Machine Learning
One of the most exciting technological developments being worked on at the moment is machine learning. This is the process of programming a computer to read unfathomable amounts of data and interpret that data without needing a user to control the process. While this technology is in its infancy, mostly used for things like recommendation algorithms and chatbots, it is improving rapidly. This artificial intelligence and machine learning course teaches students the basics of using Python to build machine learning algorithms, giving them a leg-up if they hope to enter a career as a Data Scientist who works with this cutting-edge technology. Students will learn how to write basic machine learning functions and they will get experience coding simple machine learning algorithms.
For Kids & Preteens
One way in which computer programming languages are like foreign languages is that the earlier you start learning them, the easier it will be for you to become fluent in them. This is why many kids and preteens who are interested in STEM or computer science stand to benefit from focused instruction and guidance. Enrolling your child in a summer data science program is a great way to set them up for long-term success in a number of high-paying industries.
18. iD Tech: One-on-One Python Lessons
iD Tech offers children as young as seven the opportunity to learn Python computer programming skills from expert instructors in one-on-one Python training sessions. These classes are flexible in their design, and parents can choose how many lessons their child receives (up to a dozen). In this course, students will learn the basics of computer programming and how Python is used to build everything from video games to machine learning and artificial intelligence programs.
19. iD Tech: One-on-One Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Lessons
Another iD Tech option for private one-on-one tutoring, this set of lessons provides students with an overview of using Python for machine learning and artificial intelligence programming. Students as young as 13 can receive hands-on lessons in which they learn how to program using Python and how to build and refine neural networks and other machine learning applications. Available in up to 12 lessons, thes private tutoring sessions are an ideal way to set younger students up for long-term success if they are interested in STEM work, particularly as it pertains to machine learning.
20. Create&Learn: Data Superpower Class
Create&Learn's Data Superpower Class is a chance for students in grades 4-7 to explore data science. In this class, students will work on projects using fun and relatable data, learn core data science skills, and view the world through data. At the end of the course, students will understand data, find insights, and use data to tell compelling stories. This is a live online class.