Which Data Analytics Training Format Is Right for Me?

Because more data is being created each day, the need for those with analytical skills to help make sense of it all is more significant than ever. This is why those with a background in analyzing and visualizing data are currently in demand across industries. Learning data analytics can open a variety of professional doors. When comparing types of data analytics training, there are many factors to consider. Everyone lanterns differently, and choosing the right training is critical to your experience. 

Keep reading to find out more about the different formats of data analytics training, how they compare to each other, and how to determine which is best for you.

What is Data Analytics?

Data analytics is a broad term that describes the various techniques used to analyze raw, unprocessed data so that relevant insights and trends can be extracted. Organizations then use this information to make more informed, data-driven decisions. The data analytics process includes gathering data, organizing them, and performing statistical analysis on these numbers. Once the analysis is complete, the Data Analyst offers predictions that can inform the company’s next steps.

Each day, an estimated 2.5 quintillion bytes of data is created. This number is expected to grow as more organizations embrace technological advances and expand their online presence. However, until these data are analyzed, they are just numbers. A Data Analyst’s job involves combining computer programming, math, and statistics to interpret these numbers and transform them into actionable insights that they can share with various stakeholders in their organization.

Read more about why you should learn data analytics. 

What Can You Do with Data Analytics?

The field of data analytics has many real-world applications across industries and professions. At the core of the data analytics process is the goal of using data to make better decisions. Companies rely on the data's insights to make more informed business decisions, which can help their organization grow, increase revenue, or better serve employees and customers. 

Data analytics can help with marketing campaigns by eliminating the bulk of the guesswork in planning, creating content, and developing products. It also provides an overview of customers, which can help organizations better meet their needs. By better understanding your audience and what they want, targeting them with more pointed marketing initiatives and campaigns is easier.

Another widespread use of data analytics is to improve customer service. When data is analyzed, it reveals important insights about customers, which makes it possible to offer them more personalized service. Data can provide information on how customers prefer to communicate, what interests they have, what concerns they hold, and what products they look at most often. In addition, having data stored in a central location allows an organization’s customer service team to be on the same page as their marketing and sales teams. 

Another use of data analytics is to improve the efficiency of operations within an organization. Data can reveal weaknesses in operations, as well as opportunities to streamline various processes. This not only helps the business perform more efficiently but can save money over time. For example, if you have a clearer idea of what your target audience is looking for, you won’t need to waste time and resources designing ads or writing content that doesn’t directly target their interests. This leads to less wasted money, as well as better campaign results.

Training Formats for Data Analytics

Because so many learning formats are available to help you study data analytics, it’s easier than ever to find one suited to your own learning needs. In-person study provides students with access to computers loaded with the most current tools and software, as well as access to an instructor who can answer questions as they arise. Live online data analytics classes also allow students to connect to an instructor in real-time, complete their coursework remotely, and avoid commuting to and from campus. In addition, self-paced data analytics training is also available, which consists of pre-recorded videos and tutorials that students can absorb at their own pace.

In-Person Data Analytics Training

If you’re considering studying data analytics, in-person learning options are an excellent choice if you thrive in the traditional classroom setting. In-person study gives you access to an expert instructor who is there to provide feedback and answer questions as they arise. You can complete coursework on computers that are already loaded with the most up-to-date data analytics tools and programs.

Noble Desktop has several in-person data analytics courses available in Manhattan. Noble’s Data Technologies Bootcamp offers hands-on instruction in industry-standard data analytics tools like Tableau, Excel, and SQL. Those enrolled complete real-world projects under the guidance of expert instructors. All students have the option of a free retake to revisit course material. Noble also has a Data Analytics Certificate, a rigorous, project-based course in which students collect, wrangle, analyze, and visualize data. Those who complete this certificate program acquire real-world training in predictive and prescriptive analytics that can help advance their careers.

If you’d like to search for data analytics classes near you, you can use Noble’s Classes Near Me tool to browse hundreds of data analytics course offerings to find the one perfect for your learning needs. 

Live Online Data Analytics Training

One of the most effective ways to study data analytics is in the live online format. Because you connect with an instructor in real-time, you can ask questions and receive guidance at the moment. Various live online data analytics classes are available from Noble Desktop and other top educational providers. 

Noble’s Data Analytics Foundations provides introductory-level instruction in data analytics. In addition, Noble offers a Data Analytics Certificate, a rigorous course that covers analytics skills like Excel, Tableau, SQL, and Python and that prepares participants to be Data Analysts or Business Analysts. If you are interested in beginner-friendly data analytics classes, Skillspire provides Intro to Data Analytics, and Clarausway currently has Data Analytics With IT Fundamentals available as well. In addition, data analytics bootcamps are offered by educational providers like General Assembly, NYIM Training, and NYC Career Centers for those seeking a more intensive course of study.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

Not ready to dive into an entire course? Are you instead looking for an overview of data analytics? If so, then you can start learning data analytics for free online. In Noble Desktop’s free introductory data science webinar, you’ll learn how Python can be used when working with data. Those enrolled will have an overview of the field of data science and will become familiar with the tools Data Scientists use in the real world to analyze datasets.

In addition, other top providers also offer classes in data analytics. Udemy currently has free tutorials and classes in data analytics available on topics like Intro to Data Analysis for Government, Learn Data Analysis Using Pandas and Python, and Introduction to Data Analysis: From Zero to Hero. Additionally, Coursera provides several free classes in the field of data science. They offer classes like Introduction to Embedded Machine Learning, Practical Time Series Analysis, and Foundations in Data Science: K Means Clustering in Data Science.

Read more about free data analytics videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand Classes

Suppose you aren’t fully ready to commit to a data analytics class that meets at regularly scheduled times. In that case, on-demand data analytics classes are available from Noble Desktop and other reputable educational providers. You can complete these classes at your own pace and from any location. Some of these resources are free, whereas others require a fee or a platform subscription for study. 

Noble also has various free seminars to help anyone interested learn about big data and other data-related concepts. They offer content on topics related to data analytics, such as a free Data Science seminar and an Intro to SQL seminar. These resources provide beginner-friendly instruction that can help you get a feel for whether working with data is right for you.

Comparison of Data Analytics Training Formats

Deciding which learning format is best for studying data analytics can be challenging. The good news is that more learning options are available than ever before, both in-person and online, so that you can find the one that’s best for you. 

In-person data analytics classes are an excellent option for extroverted learners who thrive in traditional classrooms. These engaging, interactive courses allow you to communicate directly with an expert instructor and a cohort of students on the same learning path. This setup allows you to receive guidance and support as you study, which can help with learning new concepts and retaining the information. Because students work in a computer lab with the most up-to-date data analytics tools they need already installed, in-person study eliminates the hassle of trying to load software on your personal device before class meetings. However, one consideration with in-person study is that it requires commuting to and from campus for each class meeting, which takes time and can lead to additional costs associated with travel.

Live online data analytics study provides the same engaging learning format as in-person study. They offer real-time access to a skilled instructor and the same data analytics lessons as in-person study. An added benefit of studying in the live online environment is that you can complete coursework from the comfort of your office or home space without having to battle rush-hour traffic for class meetings or waste time searching for parking. This makes it an excellent option for those balancing their studies and other professional and personal commitments.

In addition to in-person and live online study, self-paced data analytics classes are also available for those interested in learning the basics of this field. Instead of meeting at regularly scheduled times like in-person and live online study, asynchronous data analytics classes are pre-recorded, with video content, tutorials, and modules placed online for access at a later time. This learning option includes the perk of allowing you to choose when you would like to complete lessons and how often you may want to revisit the material. 

However, one consideration to be aware of with self-paced data analytics study is that it can be challenging to choose which of the many available options is suitable for you. While asynchronous study often costs significantly less than other learning options, knowing which classes are up-to-date on the most relevant data analytics topics can be challenging. This is why on-demand learning is a good starting point for studying data analytics, but for more advanced learners, classroom study or live online courses are likely a better match.

Is it Possible to Teach Yourself Data Analytics?

Learning data analytics is a journey that requires studying a variety of related skill sets. Data Analysts must have training in collecting, cleaning, and organizing data using applications such as Microsoft Excel. In addition, a background in programming languages such as Python, R, and SQL is required, as well as a background in statistics. 

Successful Data Analysts also work with data visualization tools like Tableau to help communicate their data findings in an accessible way. Although teaching yourself the basics of these tools and skills is possible by watching online tutorials and videos, moving beyond fundamental training can require more in-depth study with an instructor.

One of the main challenges of learning data analytics solely through online videos and tutorials is that selecting which is the best for you can be challenging. Dozens, if not hundreds, of videos devoted to data analytics are available from different educational providers. Some contain up-to-date content, whereas others are dated and may not provide instruction on the best current data analytics practices. 

In addition, some online tutorials may not provide practical, hands-on training in data analytics, making it more difficult to apply the skills they teach. If you want introductory-level data analytics instruction or a basic overview of this field, beginning with online video content is a good start. Still, you will likely need to move beyond this learning format to master more advanced skills and tools.

How to Decide the Best Way to Learn Data Analytics

Learning data analytics has never been easier, thanks to the variety of in-person and online learning options. When deciding which is best for you, the important thing to consider is what you intend to use data analytics for once you learn this skill. 

If you are new to data analytics and are interested in an overview of this topic, a great starting point is free introductory-level classes. Many top educational providers, such as Udemy, Coursera, and Noble Desktop, have free online content that presents a basic overview of data analytics and data science. These videos and tutorials can be watched from any location and accessed multiple times if necessary since they are pre-recorded. Because they are free, they don’t require any monetary commitment.

However, if you are interested in developing a working knowledge of data analytics, then a bootcamp in data analytics is a better learning option. These classes are taught by skilled instructors who have industry experience working with data. They provide real-world, hands-on training that can be used in your current career and to plug a skill gap. Many bootcamps offer the option of completing coursework in the live online format, which means you can study from the comfort of your home or office without having to commute to and from campus for scheduled meetings. Although bootcamps can cost several thousand dollars, they are an excellent learning option for those who regularly work with data analytics and want to advance professionally.

If you want to master data analytics to pivot to a new industry or start a new career, a certificate in data analytics is for you. Certificate study provides rigorous training in the field of data analytics in topics like Excel, Python, SQL, and Tableau. Certificate study with Noble Desktop also includes the added perk of one-on-one mentoring for all students and the option of a free course retake to brush up on the material covered.

Learn Data Analytics with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

There’s never been a better time to study data analytics. If you’re interested in learning more about this popular field, Noble Desktop has you covered. Noble offers several data analytics classes for beginners and those with a background in data who want to master specific or advanced tools and skills. 

Noble’s Data Analytics Certificate is a project-based course designed to teach students how to collect, wrangle, analyze, and visualize data. Participants complete several real-world projects using predictive and prescriptive analytics to prepare them for careers as Business Analysts or Data Analysts. This course provides all students with one-on-one mentoring, as well as the option of a free course retake to revisit the material. 

In addition, Noble’s SQL Bootcamp is a great learning option for learners interested in studying SQL to help with their data journey. This 18-hour class teaches participants how to use PostgreSQL to find information in databases. Those who enroll will learn how to write SQL queries, aggregate data, join tables, and filter results. 

For students who want to work with Tableau for data analytics and visualization, Noble’s Tableau Bootcamp is a solid choice. This class is taught by an expert instructor and is available both in-person in Manhattan and in the live online format for those who wish to study remotely. This course takes students on a learning journey, starting with the basics of data visualization. Those enrolled also work with Tableau Public and its various tools for analysis and visualization. By course completion, participants will be able to analyze, filter, structure, and visualize data and publish the results. All students have the option of a free course retake.