Anyone trying to integrate themselves into the data science and analytics community and are looking for a career change in the same field may have come into contact or have at some point heard about the career certificates provided by Google. They range from IT Certificates, UI/UX Certificates. In this article we are going to discuss about the Google Data Analytics Certificate.
As the name suggests, The Google Data Analytics course allows the person availing it to have a rudimentary understanding of the various technologies and programming languages required to have the skillset of a junior data analyst. According to the Google’s foundation “Grow with Google”, they hope to provide the applicants with various resources and tutorial videos to better allow the users to gain a brief and basic understanding on the subsections that are demonstrated below.
As users go through the material provided they get a basic understanding of query languages such as SQL, or sheet languages like Excel. They also get a deep understanding of the multi dimensional language R. Apart from the technical aspects of the course it also dwells into the ethical and agile methodology of data analysis. Both of these concepts are intertwined with each other like Yin & Yang. You cannot achieve a professional methodology while developing a case study for your organization.
Throughout this certificate program, SQL is highly important and allows the users to systematically query, update, clean as well as develop custom sheets for your data analysis requirements. Informally I do feel if you have a little understanding of syntax languages like jQuery or python or have some understanding on programming languages you will be better at moving through the course and understanding each and every concept that is discussed in this course. “Do mind if you have no prior knowledge of programming languages there is no need to panic. The instructors are quite patient and their step to step analysis allows you to understand the concept at a fundamental level. Be prepared for quite a research oriented system in the following months!!!.”
One of the more interesting concepts discussed during the course was the R programming language. As mentioned earlier in my previous blogs I have a technical background this allows me to have a better control and free flow while learning new languages. R is a very user centric and a very powerful data analysis tool. It has built in functions for various visualization tools needed for better presentation of your ideas regarding your data. The course provides the basic platform for users to develop their R programming skills. This feature is the most likeable yet if you consider my train of thought.
Another unique concept was the discussion of a case study. “Mind you the case study is optional”. The process of developing a case study for a particular data set considering the current business standards. This gives the users a brief understanding on how to proceed if the need arises during the job interview. The course also provides a method to amend your resume to fit your needs and also discusses the various to make it better.
All in all, I would recommend this course to any aspiring data analyst trying to make their way into the data driven community. Best of Luck!!!