Data Science Certificate vs Bootcamp vs Masters Degree

In this video I compare the benefits of pursuing a data science certificate versus a bootcamp or masters degree. These all can be reasonable options depending on your personal situation. Watch this video to see which one may be right for you

Data Science Certificate
- Positives (Inexpensive, low time commitment, can help you build out your portfolio)
- Negatives (Likely wont get you a job, not very academically rigerous)
- Good for someone with a phd looking to get data science on their resume or a beginner who wants to see if data science would be interesting to them

Data Science Bootcamp
- Positives (Good networking and resume resources, reasonable academic rigor)
- Negatives (Very expensive, hit or miss with education, very time consuming)
- Good for someone who has a good portfolio and needs the networking help, someone with a phd in an unrelated field or masters in a related field, or someone who has extra cash to spend

Data Science Masters degree
- Positives (checks the graduate degree box, access to university network and resources, internship opportunities, decent exit opportunities)
- Negatives (Most expensive, very time consuming)
- This is a good option for someone who is already an analyst and wants to move into a data science role or someone who wants to become a data analyst but has no relevant experience.

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[KenJee_ds]

Thanks for watching everyone! Although not explicitly mentioned in the title, I highly recommend exploring the self taught route. There are plenty of great online resources out there for you to use.

[gatocholo]

I am 45 and a retired teacher looking to start a career in Data Science. I really appreciate this work from you. This is the best advice I have received. Thank You.

[juvinilebud]

Master's in astrophysics here! I'm planning to complete two Coursera certificates in Deep Learning (by Andrew Ng) and Data Science (IBM). I have also taken courses in databases and data mining as part of my master's. Hopefully I can get some job responses soon.

[jimmyzhang]

Thank you so much, Ken. Your video is actually helpful!

[adamgdev]

Wow! Great in depth video. Thanks for explaining all of the pros and cons and what fits different personalities and backgrounds.

[lcy]

Thanks. Really appreciate the breakdown. Looking into exploring into DS, and this has been the best breakdown of the pro and cons if each option. Thanks Ken.

[insigh]

I'll be going to General Assembly for Data Science in July. I'm currently working on my math and Python skills as I don't have a professional Analytics background (coming from Sales). I'm really grateful for your insights as to how to make something out of my own circumstance!

[GraceNcube]

I come from a background in experimental psychology. I’ve worked a ton with statistics, software packages and both quantitative and qualitative data and I’ve finished the MA degree involving a thesis. I currently work in the clinical side of psych and want to get back into something involving data, stats, marketing and ai. I have experience with blogging, web design and SEO. I’m considering the route of self-study. I want to start working on some projects and continue working at my full time job and see where it may take me.

[faisalhashim]

For a field that is growing, you provide awesome content for people to navigate through it. Your help is much appreciated.
My question is in regards how to get into data science.
1) Data Science Bootcamp (which includes programming requirements) > Use that knowledge to work on projects (freelancing, build portfolio)
2) Start with a full-stack development / software engineering bootcamp, get experience there, and then slowly transition to data science?
Coming from a civil engineering background with little to no coding experience, what sounds better?

[beyonder]

Hey Ken, thanks for making this video. I’ll be starting a Masters in mental health counseling this coming fall, but I did always have an affinity towards the data-heavy classes I had in undergrad. I definitely feel drawn to counseling, but perhaps a certificate wouldn’t be a bad idea for exploratory reasons, as you’d said:) Much appreciated!

[weiyangshi]

Will you consider making a video about putting together a project portfolio website? It would be really helpful!

[ahmetkarabas]

this is a really good video for us, thank you

[donnelly]

Considering that I am now 45 and looking to begin a masters in data science program this fall since my current masters in exercise science has not yielded any sort of suitable or gainful employment, I'd be more than content to find an entry level data analyst role upon graduation from a data science program. Although I have done a handful of projects and have started building a portfolio, I'm hopeful that my chances of getting an internship, landing an entry level data analyst role, or associate data analyst role while going through this master's will be increased. It's as if I feel starting this masters program will help give me that extra edge to at least obtain the most entry level position in data analysis versus just my current degree and portfolio. I say this because it seems most job listings require or prefer some kind of quantitative degree, and exercise science does not seem to make the cut. There seems to be too much of a question as to landing an entry level data analyst job even with a much more robust portfolio which I'm sure I could have by year's end.

[xyzaex]

Data science bootcamp advantage = you are working with an actual data science instead of an academic.

[newbestofthis]

Too much resources on the internet makes me so distracted. I personally like learning by doing and I would enroll to a course that gives me this challenges. Thanks for the vid

[michal]

I finished undergrad Film and TV production, now I'm doing 365 Data Science and I applied for a Master in Data Science. I will know in 4 weeks.

[jonathanho]

Great video, Ken. This is insightful.

[yaboiyaboy]

You are super awesome for making this video!

I have a history degree (feel free to laugh at me lol), and no documented math backround except that my job in real estate required making and reviewing budgets. I'm really hoping to land an analyst role after a bootcamp.... praying I won't need a bachelors

[brendali]

Concise and informative sharing!!! Thanks

[ferrm]

So basically is it modest to say that the silver bullet to get into a good role is:
➡️to have had Software Engineer/Development education + experience

Else
➡️to have been submerged in roles in your current situation (sometimes very unlikely) analyst to scientist
➡️if none of the above, then to get either of the three things (recommended but not required) but without a work portfolio (professional or otherwise) it is intensively hard