Are Data Visualization Classes Worth It?

Whether taking a data visualization class is worth it depends on your goals and background. Data visualization is a highly sought-after skill in various fields. The ability to communicate complex data in a clear, visually appealing way is valuable for businesses of all sizes. Taking a data visualization class can equip you with these in-demand skills. A data visualization class can teach you design principles, best practices, and storytelling techniques to communicate insights from data effectively. Many data visualization classes involve learning software tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even basic coding languages like Python, which are valuable assets for data-driven careers. If your career path involves working with data or communicating data insights, then a data visualization class can be a worthwhile investment.

Consider the Costs

Data visualization classes can range in price depending on the format (online vs in-person), instructor expertise, and course duration. Bootcamps offering comprehensive training will likely cost more than introductory online courses. 

Consider the potential return on investment (ROI) when evaluating the cost. If the skills you gain from the class help you land a higher-paying job or secure a promotion, the cost can be easily outweighed by the long-term benefits. Numerous free online resources are available for learning data visualization, including tutorials, articles, and video courses. While these resources might not offer the structured learning environment of a class, they can be a good starting point to assess your interest and develop basic skills.

Advantages of a Data Visualization Class

While attending a data visualization class is a commitment of time and finances, many people working with data will attest to their effectiveness in helping them launch their dream career. Read on to explore some advantages of attending a data visualization class.

General Benefits

Attending a live class on any new skill has many benefits over studying the subject independently. A live expert instructor provides experienced support throughout the learning journey, including troubleshooting any difficulties and answering questions as they arise in real time. A quality live class, whether in-person or online, helps students remain focused through the structure of a set schedule and a proven curriculum. This, along with clear instruction from a knowledgeable teacher, optimizes students’ understanding and retention of the course topic. With a subject as complex as data visualization, these features make the educational experience remarkably easier than when undertaken alone and are must-haves for most learners.

Access to Data Tools and Software

Most data visualization classes will introduce you to industry-standard software for creating charts, graphs, and other visual elements. Standard options include Tableau, Power BI, Google Data Studio, and Python. Some classes might delve into data analysis before visualization. In this case, you would be exposed to tools like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. Data visualization classes often provide access to sample datasets for practice purposes. These datasets can cover various topics like business, demographics, healthcare, or social media. Instructors might guide you towards using real-world data from open-source repositories like Kaggle or UCI Machine Learning Repository. These platforms offer a vast collection of datasets across diverse fields.

Learning Data Visualization Principles and Methodoloigies

Data visualization classes equip you with the knowledge and skills to transform complex data sets into clear, informative, and visually appealing representations. Effective data visualization caters to your target audience's needs and knowledge level. A core principle is to present information in a way that's easily understandable and avoids overwhelming viewers with technical jargon. There are numerous chart types, each suited for different purposes. A data visualization class will equip you with the knowledge to select the most appropriate chart type (bar chart, pie chart, line graph, scatter plot, etc.) to accurately represent the data and the story you're trying to tell. 

Concerning methodologies, data needs to be cleaned and formatted appropriately before visualization. This might involve handling missing values, correcting inconsistencies, and ensuring data accuracy. Your class will introduce techniques for data cleaning and preparation. Also, data encoding refers to the way you visually represent data using chart elements like bar lengths, colors, or positions. Your class will cover design principles and best practices for encoding data effectively.

Personalized Feedback and Critique 

In a data visualization class, personalized instructor feedback and critique can be immensely valuable for accelerating your learning and improving your data visualization skills. Personalized feedback can pinpoint areas where you might misunderstand concepts or make mistakes in applying principles. This allows you to address these knowledge gaps and solidify your understanding of data visualization techniques. An instructor's critique can help you identify areas where your chart choices might not be optimal for conveying the data's message clearly. This personalized feedback allows you to refine your visual decisions and create more impactful visualizations. Data visualization is an iterative process. Personalized feedback will enable you to receive constructive criticism on your initial drafts and make informed revisions to improve your visualizations' clarity, design, and overall effectiveness.

Collaborative Learning and Network Building

Data visualization classes can be significantly enriched by incorporating collaborative learning and network-building opportunities. Working together on data visualization projects allows you to share diverse perspectives and approaches. This collaborative effort can lead to more creative solutions and improved problem-solving skills when tackling visualization challenges. Collaboration necessitates effective communication. You'll learn to articulate your ideas clearly, explain your design choices, and work constructively with others to achieve a common goal. Some data visualization classes might involve guest speakers or industry professionals. Collaborative learning environments can provide opportunities to interact with these professionals, potentially leading to valuable networking connections for your future career.

Portfolio and Case Study Support 

A data visualization class with portfolio and case study support offers several benefits that can significantly enhance your learning experience and career prospects. Data visualization classes with portfolio support provide opportunities to apply the skills you're learning to real-world scenarios. You'll likely be guided through creating data visualizations for case studies or personal projects, allowing you to showcase your abilities in a portfolio. These classes might guide you in selecting projects that align with your career goals. This ensures your portfolio reflects the specific data visualization skills relevant to your desired field. By analyzing case studies, you'll also learn how data visualization professionals approach problems, identify key insights, and communicate them effectively. This problem-solving approach strengthens your analytical thinking skills.

Considerations When Looking for a Data Visualization Class

Plenty of data visualization classes exist, but that doesn’t mean every course is an excellent option for every learner. Here are some factors to consider when assessing whether a class, bootcamp, or certificate program fits you.

Time Commitment 

The time commitment for a data visualization class can vary depending on several factors, including the class format, duration, course intensity, and learning style. Short online courses are usually two to four weeks, whereas more comprehensive classes last between six to twelve weeks. In-person classes can vary depending on class schedules but expect two to three hours of class time per week, plus additional time for assignments and projects. By understanding the time commitment involved and implementing effective time management strategies, you can successfully navigate a data visualization class while balancing other obligations.

Flexibility and Learning Pace 

If you have time for a data visualization class but an irregular schedule, an asynchronous course best fits you. Asynchronous classes are on-demand courses and are hosted online without a live instructor. Any lectures are prerecorded, and students can do the coursework at whatever time best suits their needs. Self-paced is another term used to describe asynchronous classes and their benefits for those who prefer to set their own learning pace. However, others may find the fast-paced learning style offered by in-person and online classes more appealing.

Identifying Your Learning Needs 

It’s essential to be aware of your personal learning goals before shopping for a data visualization class, as you don’t want to enroll in more or less of a course than you need. If you’re simply curious about the field and still exploring a few career options, a short introductory data visualization class may be the most appropriate option for you. You may already be well acquainted with the principles of data visualization but need to strengthen your skills quickly in a particular application for a new job. In that case, a bootcamp or short course will be your solution. On the other hand, if you are preparing to launch a new career in data visualization with little to no experience in the tools or techniques, a certificate program is the ideal choice to help you achieve your goals.

Is it Worth Enrolling in a Data Visualization Class?

Who will find it worthwhile?

A data visualization class can be worthwhile for many individuals, especially professionals looking to enhance their skill set. For example, data visualization is essential for Data Analysts to communicate data insights to stakeholders effectively. A data visualization class can help them learn how to create clear, concise, and impactful visualizations that tell a data-driven story. Data visualization is also becoming increasingly important in marketing and PR campaigns. Learning how to represent marketing data visually can help Marketing Specialists track campaign performance, measure ROI, and create compelling presentations. Additionally, suppose you're looking to pivot your career towards careers such as data analysis, business intelligence, or marketing analytics. In that case, a data visualization class can equip you with in-demand skills to stand out in the job market.

Who might find it worthwhile? 

A data visualization class can be worthwhile for a wide range of professionals who want to improve their ability to communicate information effectively using data. For Data Analysts, a data visualization class would allow them to present complex data insights to stakeholders clearly and understandably. Understanding data visualization also enables Marketers or Sales Professionals to create compelling presentations, reports, and social media content that resonates with their audience. If your career path involves working with data or communicating data insights, then a data visualization class can be a worthwhile investment. 

Who probably doesn’t need a data visualization class?

A data visualization class might not be a top priority if your job description doesn't involve working with data or communicating data insights to others. When deciding whether taking a data visualization class would be beneficial for you, there are some points to consider: whether your job involves data analysis, whether you need to present data insights to stakeholders or audiences, and your level of experience with data visualization. Even if you don't fall into a role that explicitly requires data visualization, this skill can be helpful in some situations. For instance, if you're ever tasked with creating a presentation that involves data, even a basic understanding of data visualization principles can go a long way in making your presentation clear and impactful.

Learn Data Visualization Skills with Noble Desktop

Whatever your goals in learning data visualization, Noble Desktop has a class for you. Their Data Visualization Certificate program is an excellent option for those looking for a comprehensive program to prepare to launch a data career. Featuring 132 hours of hands-on learning, a free retake option, and one-on-one mentorship sessions you can use as career prep, this certificate program’s curriculum includes all you need to know to begin working in data visualization. No experience is required to attend a course that is available on a part-time or full-time schedule. By the end of this certificate program, you will have a strong understanding of data visualization principles, Python, Excel, and analytics and have a digital certificate of completion to verify this knowledge to potential employers. This certificate and the portfolio you assemble during the course will help you land your dream job in data visualization.

Noble’s Tableau for Data Visualization Bootcamp is an excellent option for those who wish to work with Tableau to visualize data. Participants receive an overview of the field of data visualization and learn about Tableau Public’s visualization tools. By course completion, students will have a solid understanding of identifying which datasets to connect to and how to analyze, filter, and organize data to make customized, publishable visualizations. This course also offers a free retake for those interested in revisiting Tableau concepts. 

Noble’s in-person or live online Data Analytics Certificate is another good learning option for those seeking a more intensive study option. This rigorous program provides expert instruction on various data analytics concepts and prepares learners to become Business Analysts or Data Analysts. By course completion, all participants will be familiar with core business intelligence, statistical analysis, data analysis, and data visualization concepts. This is a project-based course in which students will complete various real-world projects using prescriptive and predictive analytics. All students receive one-on-one mentoring as part of tuition.

In addition, Noble Desktop offers other in-person and live online data visualization courses. Those who wish to learn the tools to become Data Scientists may consider enrolling in Noble’s Data Science Certificate, which covers machine learning, automation, SQL, and Python. A Python for Data Science Bootcamp covers fundamental and complex Python programming concepts, such as creating programs and using statistics to make machine learning models.