What is the Best Course to Learn Data Visualization?

Data visualization as a distinct profession is relatively young. Introduction of dedicated data visualization courses, potentially starting as electives. The growth of data visualization tools and increasing demand led to the wider adoption of data visualization education. Considering the number of different data visualization classes available today, it can be challenging to determine which you wish to enroll in. It is not feasible to pinpoint a single course as the ultimate option for mastering data visualization; however, this article delves into various inquiries that can assist you in determining the most suitable course for your needs.

Are You Brand New to Data Visualization? 

Are you a complete beginner in data visualization? The amount of experience you have with the skill set is a great first question to ask yourself when you’re looking for the best data visualization course to help you meet your goals. If the answer is no, you are not a beginner, then your next step is to determine your learning goals. You might find that an intensive short program focusing on a specific data visualization tool or technique could be the ideal fit for you. Or suppose you have a little experience and are ready to commit to a training program to get you job-ready for your first data visualization position. In that case, you will almost certainly wish to enroll in a certificate program or a certificate-granting bootcamp.

If you're new to the field, a certificate program may be the ideal data visualization class for you, as they are tailored to help individuals at any experience level acquire the necessary skills to secure their first entry-level job in their chosen field. In addition to a proven, up-to-date curriculum created by data experts, high-quality certificate programs and bootcamps include several highly beneficial features, such as career support and assistance in building a professional-quality portfolio. Whether you enroll in an in-person or live online data visualization certificate program, you will have a live instructor who has the skills to ensure you truly learn the content with skillfully-led lectures and discussions, targeted troubleshooting, and answering questions in real-time.

If you're new to data visualization and are unsure about committing to a certificate program or simply want to grasp the basics of the field, opting for a live introductory data short course would be the ideal choice. While you may find prerecorded on-demand courses or free YouTube videos that purport to help you learn the basics of data visualization, the benefits of a live instructor—especially for a beginner—cannot be overstated. Whatever your learning goals, as someone brand new to the topic, consider beginning your data visualization learning journey with a free resource like Noble Desktop’s Data Science seminars to prepare yourself for success in your future endeavors.

How Much Are You Willing to Pay? 

Your budget is the next consideration before selecting a data visualization class. Suppose your goal is to gain professional expertise to launch a new career as a data professional. In that case, you expect a sizable return on investment for whatever you pay for your education. Enrolling in a data visualization college degree program, or a related bachelor's or master's program, may require a considerable time investment before realizing the return on investment, given the current scarcity of data majors available. If you are interested in the cultural college experience and possess the necessary financial resources and time availability, enrolling in a university program could be your most suitable learning route. However, even if this is the case, you should be aware that very few data job postings call for a bachelor’s degree, much less a master’s degree. Instead, hiring managers are typically most interested in a candidate’s portfolio, demonstrating whether a person can do the job.

If your budget allows, enrolling in a certificate program or bootcamp can be the most efficient way to gain a high level of expertise in data visualization and secure a job promptly. A certificate program provides career support and assistance in building the professional-quality portfolio you need to impress a hiring team and stand out in the crowded data visualization job market. Certificate-granting programs will have you job-ready in a fraction of the time a college program will and for less than the cost of a single full-time semester at most universities in the U.S.

Some data visualization learners have started by teaching themselves with free resources, but this is rare. However, if your budget is nonexistent, you can check out Noble Desktop’s several free data tutorials to begin your learning journey. Or, if you have money to invest in your education but your end goal is on a smaller scale than job readiness, an introductory or advanced short course may be the best choice. You can usually save money by enrolling in a self-paced program, but the benefit of having a live instructor in an in-person or live online course is worth the price when learning a complex skill set like data visualization.

How Quickly Do You Need to Learn the Skills? 

Suppose you need to complete your data visualization education as quickly as possible. In that case, the best solution for you will look different than the best choice for those requiring a slower-paced solution. Luckily, the plethora of data visualization classes on the market today means whichever situation you find yourself in, you can find a training course that works for you. For individuals seeking to grasp the fundamentals of data visualization or develop expertise in a specific tool or skill, exploring introductory or advanced short courses based on their current learning stage is crucial. Offered by professional training institutions, these can be anywhere from a couple of hours in length to three or four days of full-time classes. While several courses may be scheduled during weekends or afternoons, certain ones might necessitate taking a few days off work to attend.

On the other hand, your schedule may be tighter, and a part-time data visualization class may be the solution for you. Some bootcamps and certificate programs offer a schedule that meets in the evenings, allowing you to work or attend to other responsibilities during the day. Noble Desktop’s data certificate programs allow learners to participate as part-time or full-time students, while other programs may run exclusively on a part-time schedule. 

For those with the most erratic schedules, self-paced courses may be the best data visualization class option. While there are several drawbacks, including the lack of accountability and support from a live instructor, self-paced courses can work for the most disciplined and motivated individuals when flexibility is your primary concern. Without the guidance of an instructor, these solutions can be highly ineffective for beginners. When first delving into such an intricate and distinctive skill set, nothing surpasses the support of a live instructor.

Do You Want to Become a Professional in Data Visualization?

For individuals pursuing a career in data, the most effective option for learning data visualization is typically a certificate program or bootcamp that offers a certificate upon completion. These specialized courses offer structured learning paths, personalized career guidance, mentorship, and additional resources to propel individuals from novice to top-tier job contenders within a minimal timeframe. These programs can require a considerable financial investment. Still, the professional expertise and job readiness you’ll gain by the time you complete a high-quality program will make it well worth the price.

While some individuals might manage to cobble together an education to qualify for an entry-level role in data visualization using free resources and short courses, this could prove unattainable for others and quite demanding for everyone. Assembling the professional-quality portfolio required to make an impression on a hiring manager can be incredibly difficult on your own. A live instructor can provide real-time feedback and support you through the process. Some may prefer a college experience over a certificate program. However, between the considerably higher tuition, significantly lengthier time commitment, and higher teams rarely look for college degrees in data visualization job candidates, most find a certificate program to be the obvious choice over a college degree.

Do You Prefer In-Person or Online Training?

Before selecting the most suitable data visualization course for your needs, deciding whether you prefer attending a physical classroom or an online session is important. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, so it's crucial to consider which option aligns better with your specific situation.

In-person classes are held in a physical classroom or computer lab, providing a traditional educational experience for your data visualization learning journey. Many students find that being in the same room as their instructor helps them focus and grasp the subject better than attending an online course. Some also enjoy the convenience of attending a nearby in-person class that perfectly fits their schedule.

Many individuals discover that participating in a live online class offers a comparable learning experience to attending an in-person course, all while eliminating the hassle of commuting. In a live online class, you engage with an instructor in a virtual classroom at specified times, mirroring the experience of attending a physical class. The instructor is available to address your inquiries and assist with real-time problem-solving. Additionally, live online courses allow exploring a wider range of data visualization classes without being confined by geographical limitations.

Learn Data Visualization with Noble Desktop 

If you’re interested in studying data visualization, Noble Desktop offers several in-person and live online courses that provide hands-on training. Noble’s Tableau for Data Visualization Bootcamp is an excellent option for those who wish to work with Tableau for visualizing 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 the option of 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, other in-person and live online data visualization courses are also available from Noble Desktop. 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. 

The Excel Bootcamp is also available, which teaches core spreadsheet functions like working with macros, formulas, and PivotTables. Finally, those interested in working with SQL to extract information from databases can enroll in Noble’s SQL Bootcamp. This course prepares learners to write queries, aggregate data, and filter results using PostgreSQL.