What is the Fastest Way to Learn Data Analytics?

In certain instances, you may need to learn a new skill quickly. This might be the case if you’re looking to study data analytics for a current work project or if you’re about to embark on a new career path in a data-related field. This article will explore some options for quickly acquiring data analytics training at different levels of proficiency, such as through free resources, skills classes, certificates, bootcamps, and on-demand training so you can find the study option that’s most in line with your ultimate end goal.

Free Resources: The Very Basics

If you’re interested in learning the basics of one or more data analytics skills, such as how to print an Excel workbook or customize a Tableau dashboard for a work project, the quickest way to acquire this information is through free online training resources. Since the field of data analytics is popular in many industries, many free online resources are available from top educators around the globe and provide short, specific tips and tutorials on many common data analytics skills. If you’re looking to learn the extreme basics, such as how to navigate an Excel spreadsheet or write a basic database query in SQL, you can look this information up online and find a host of resources, including YouTube videos, short tutorials, or blog posts, in which the answers will be provided. 

Free online resources can be a great starting point in your data analytics learning journey. They provide a basic overview of the field and the most common tools and skills you’ll need to pursue a data-related career. In addition to short video content, some educators post free online classes and longer content that helps students gain a more robust understanding of the data analytics process. Tech training companies like Noble Destkop provide free, introductory-level video content on data science that helps those who are just getting started working with data learn the basic tools, software, and skills needed to analyze a dataset. Noble also has a free Intro to SQL seminar for those interested in working with this querying language.

Skills Classes: For Students Looking to Become Comfortable with Data Analytics

Since the field of data analytics is quite broad and involves mastering many tools and programs, some students may prefer to learn a particular data skill on its own before moving on to the next topic. If you’re this type of learner, a skills class is a good option. These short programs usually take only a few days to complete (some require just an afternoon of time). Popular skills classes in data analytics include training in Python programming, Excel, Tableau, and SQL. Skills classes are available from educators like Noble Desktop in a range of data analytics topics. Students can opt for a beginner-level Excel class, Intermediate Excel, or Advanced Excel training. This type of learning ensures that students can select the class that’s at the appropriate difficulty level so they don’t have to revisit material they already know if they already have spreadsheet experience or struggle through difficult Excel concepts if they’re just getting started working with this app. These live online or in-person classes usually offer real-world examples that help participants retain the skills they learn so they can eventually apply them in other settings. Since these classes are relatively short, busy professionals can easily complete their training over a weekend without having to take off work. 

Another benefit of skills classes is price. Since these courses are shorter than bootcamps or certificate programs, they’re typically a more affordable option. Most educators provide data analytics skills classes for several hundred dollars. However, it’s important to keep in mind that in a skills class, the level of instruction will not be as in-depth as it would be in a longer, more intensive course, such as a data analytics certificate. Those who want to take a deeper dive into data analytics may wish instead to enroll in a longer, more intensive type of training once they learn the basics.

Bootcamps and Certificates

If you want to spend a bit more time learning data analytics and receive more in-depth instruction, bootcamps and certificates are excellent learning options. Although this type of training takes longer to complete than a skills class, the knowledge and skills you’ll acquire can greatly assist you with current work projects or be used to help you pursue an entirely new career path.

Data Analytics Bootcamps 

If you’re looking to acquire one or multiple data analytics skills in the same program, you may want to select a data analytics bootcamp. These courses provide hands-on training for students at all levels who want to learn how to work with big data. Instruction is provided in the live format by an expert instructor with real-world data analytics expertise and experience. Depending on the type of bootcamp you choose, you may focus entirely on one data analytics tool, such as in Noble Desktop’s Excel Bootcamp. This course combines three skills classes: beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level. Those enrolled progress from basic data knowledge into more complex concepts over several days of training. Bootcamps such as these are available for a discount for those who commit to all three levels of coursework rather than opting for just one skills course.

Other data analytics bootcamps are more involved and offer data analytics training that includes instruction on several common tools, such as Python, Tableau, SQL, and Excel. These programs typically take longer to complete and are more involved than those that focus entirely on one skill. Students devote weeks or even months to acquiring a well-rounded background in data analytics.

Data Analytics Certificates

If you’re pursuing data analytics training for professional development purposes or to advance into an entirely new career path, a data analytics certificate can help you reach this goal. Certificates are intensive programs that are taught both in person and live online. While the content converted in data analytics certificates varies somewhat depending on the focus and length of the course, most programs cover core data skills and tools, such as how to work with Excel spreadsheets, coding languages like Python and SQL, and visualize data findings in Tableau. Certificates vary in length from several weeks to six months or longer, depending on whether learners opt to complete their studies on a part-time or full-time basis. While devoting months to studying data analytics is a time commitment, it’s a much more focused and abbreviated training format than would be provided through four-year college study. Those who graduate with certificates can immediately apply the skills they’ve acquired to their current job or use them to boost their resume. They provide career-focused training in a small class environment. One such class is Noble Desktop’s Certificate in Data Analytics, which provides learners with comprehensive live instruction, as well as supplemental 1-on-1 mentoring sessions that can be used for additional help on coursework or for professional development purposes. Certificates also usually offer learners the time and space to compile a professional portfolio of work, which can be shared with prospective employers. 

On-Demand Courses: It's Hard to Tell

Another popular training format for learning data analytics is through on-demand training. These courses are available from many top providers around the country, such as Udemy or Coursera, and afford students the flexibility of not only deciding when they want to complete their training but also how long they wish to devote to their studies. On-demand content varies in length significantly depending on the focus of the class; some content takes only an hour or so to complete and focuses on a specific data analytics skill, such as creating a PivotTable in Excel. Other programs are more comprehensive and can require several weeks or months of study in a range of data analytics tools and software. Participants can opt to space out their studies over weeks or months or focus fully on coursework in a more condensed timeframe. Additionally, since all on-demand content is pre-recorded, it allows students to choose their own learning speed, pausing and rewinding lessons as often as necessary to fully grasp the material. 

Along with the additional flexibility of on-demand training comes the necessity for students to be self-motivated learners who find the time and energy to focus on learning data analytics. For those who don’t come from a background working with data, learning this broad field solely through on-demand content can pose certain challenges. Since no instructor or cohort of students is present, learners have to find answers on their own to any questions they have. Individuals who are interested in learning one data skill relatively quickly, such as how to create basic macros, may find on-demand training a good option. However, for those interested in fully exploring the field of data analytics for professional reasons, more structured, live coursework is often a better option since it provides a supportive and engaging way to receive live, hands-on training.

Learn Data Analytics with Noble Desktop

Once you’ve committed to learning data analytics, the next step is to search for in-person data analytics classes nearby to find the best training option for you. In the following paragraphs, several popular course listings will be discussed that are available to those who are new to working with data, as well as those with advanced-level training who are interested in taking their skills to the next level.

Those seeking rigorous training in data analytics can attend Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate program. This hands-on class combines several of Noble’s shorter courses and bootcamps: Data Analytics Foundations, Python for Data Science Bootcamp, Python for Automation, Python Machine Learning Bootcamp, SQL Bootcamp, Python Data Visualization & Interactive Dashboards, Excel for Data Analytics, and Tableau Bootcamp. During this program, you’ll have the opportunity to explore how Excel is used to to analyze and visualize data and how to use Python’s scientific libraries. This class includes eight 1-on-1 mentoring sessions that can be used for professional development or to revisit challenging course material.

If, instead, you’d like to focus your training on data visualization, Noble also has a Tableau Certification Program.This course was created to prepare you to pass the Tableau Desktop Specialist certification exam. To graduate, you will complete two shorter classes: Tableau Level I and Tableau Level II. Six hours of private tutoring is provided to all participants. During this class, you’ll learn the basics, such as how to navigate the Tableau interface and create basic charts and graphs. Once this foundational knowledge is covered, you’ll then progress into more complex data visualization skills, including creating dashboards and mapping data. The private training sessions can be used to revisit difficult class concepts or for additional help preparing for the exam. The cost of enrolling includes the fee for sitting for the Tableau Desktop Specialist exam and a free exam retake (if needed), as well as exam proctoring. If you pass the Desktop Specialist certification exam at the end of this class, you earn professional Tableau certification. If you aren’t interested in taking this test, you can opt instead for an additional hour of 1-on-1 tutoring.

Noble also offers a Python for Data Science Bootcamp, which is a great option if you’re looking to use this programming language to handle real-world datasets. During this program, you’ll learn how Python is used to create programs, handle data, visualize data findings, and create statistically driven machine-learning models. This hands-on class includes training on how to write statements and expressions, work with lists, create variables, and understand different types of data. You’ll also study how to use dictionaries, control flow tools, conditional statements, and dictionaries. All participants get a supplementary 1-on-1 mentoring session.

All Noble classes are available live online and in person in New York City. They each include a free course retake option for one full year after graduation.