The field of data analytics, a branch of data science, is growing fast. Plenty of opportunity exists in the field for people looking to start a career in tech. The best data analytics bootcamps can help you break into a wide range of fields within and outside the tech industry. As we move further into the information age, data analytics positions offer increased growth and excellent job security.
In this guide, we discuss the top in-person and online data analytics bootcamps you should consider to break into this field. We also discuss the main factors you should consider when selecting a program, the admissions process, and the common jobs you can land after graduating from a data analytics bootcamp.
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Why Choose a Data Analytics Bootcamp?
The best data analytics bootcamps provide you with intensive training and industry-relevant skills to help you break into this field. Bootcamps give you a coding foundation in a few weeks or months. You can become job ready in a short period of time without having to invest time and money in a college degree.
Curriculum
Data analytics, like data science and software engineering, is a high-tech field that is continuously evolving. Make sure your chosen bootcamp has a curriculum that is up to date with the latest trend in the field. This is also a field that involves a fair bit of coding, so make sure that the curriculum covers a good variety of programming languages. Keep reading to see the most common coding languages used by data analysts and data scientists.
Structure of a Data Analytics Bootcamp
Each bootcamp is different. However, most full in-person and online data analytics bootcamps share the same basic curriculum layout. Students begin with the fundamentals of data analytics, and perhaps an introduction to coding. After they grasp the basics of the field, they move into an intermediate phase.
Students learn a variety of field-specific and general-purpose coding languages during the intermediate phase of the bootcamp. This part generally lasts the longest and contains the ‘heart’ of the curriculum. Students often learn several languages and practice frequently with peers.
During the final phase of the bootcamp, students work on capstone projects to demonstrate their skills. The projects often reflect real-world data analytics tasks and result in some very advanced finished products, and students can add them to their portfolios. Bootcamps also provide career counseling and job placement services during this time.
How to Choose the Right Data Analytics Bootcamp for You
To choose the right data analytics bootcamp, you need to consider your career goals, the time you have available to study every week, your budget, and the type of work you wish to land upon graduation. Keep reading to learn about the main factors you should evaluate when choosing a bootcamp.
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Coding isn’t the only skill involved in a data analytics career. Students at bootcamps also learn to use common data analysis tools, such as Tableau and NodeXL. Each bootcamp’s curriculum varies, but most teach primary data management languages such as Python and SQL.
Time Commitment
Another important factor you should consider is how much time you have available to study and practice each week. Make sure to take an honest look at your schedule and set aside a realistic amount of hours that you can commit to learning. Depending on how much time you have on your hands, you can select a full-time or a part-time coding bootcamp to match your needs.
Duration
When choosing a program, take a look at how long it lasts. Bootcamp duration can range from a few weeks to a few months depending on the curriculum and the format. If you’re in a hurry to pivot into data analytics, you might be better off choosing an intensive program. If you’d rather take it slow and go a little bit deeper, you can opt for a longer program that covers a wider variety of topics.
Career Services
Choosing a bootcamp with solid career services is paramount. Receiving expert support to help you build an effective portfolio, craft strong applications, and prepare for tech interviews can significantly impact your chances of landing a good job after graduation. Make sure to review what career services are available to students so you can succeed in your job hunt.
Data Analytics Bootcamp Admissions Process
Coding bootcamps, like colleges, can be selective and require applicants to undergo an admissions process. Each program has different requirements, but most follow the same basic outline.
- Application. Students must determine if they’re a good fit for the program and submit an application. If the bootcamp agrees, they’ll reach out to schedule the first interview.
- First interview. The first interview is a time for prospective students and bootcamps to get to know each other and go over any questions or additional admissions requirements.
- Coding test. Generally, bootcamps require students to take a coding test before continuing into the program. Depending on the selectiveness of the school, these tests can be very easy or rather challenging. Most students can learn how to solve test questions rapidly, and some bootcamps provide study material ahead of time.
- Final interview or admittance. After the test, students either proceed to a final interview or gain admittance into the course. At this point, students may need to fill out additional applications to take advantage of scholarships, deferred tuition programs, or other special bootcamp perks.
Data Analytics Bootcamp Cost: Financing Options
Coding bootcamps offer a wide range of financing options to help students cover tuition costs. The typical data analytics bootcamp cost can range from $10,000 to $20,000. You can tackle this cost head-on, or use options such as scholarships, loans, and ISAs to help you bear the load.
Income Share Agreements (ISAs)
Income share agreements (ISAs) are a common alternative to student loans. ISAs defer the cost of tuition until students graduate and land a job in the field. If graduates can’t find relevant employment after an agreed-upon period, tuition is often waived entirely.
ISAs are simple and operate exactly how you’d expect. Graduates begin making payments once they land a job and make above a certain threshold, usually around $60,000 per year. Once employed, graduates agree to pay between 10 and 15 percent of their income for two to three years, or until a previously agreed upon sum is met.
Coding Bootcamp Scholarships
A great option to cover tuition costs is to secure a coding bootcamp scholarship. These are usually merit-based or need-based, and different schools have different options, so make sure to study them. There are also external organizations that can provide you with scholarships and grants to help you cover costs. Make sure to study each option carefully and determine whether you fulfill all the requirements. Also, make sure to apply early, as scholarship options for bootcamps are limited.
Traditional Student Loans
Traditional-style student loans are available to bootcamp students. Some people choose to go the traditional loan route for a variety of reasons, as it does provide certain benefits. Bootcamp loans are provided by finance companies like Climb Credit and Skills Fund.
Careers You Can Land After a Data Analyst Bootcamp
A data analytics bootcamp can prepare you to work with data in various job roles. See below to learn about some of the most common options you can pursue once you graduate from your bootcamp program.
Data Analyst
Data analysts are in charge of collecting, organizing, and analyzing large data sets and using them to solve specific problems. As a data analyst, you’ll use common tools such as Power BI, Tableau, and SQL to identify trends and patterns in the data. According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a data analyst is $70,680.
Business Intelligence Analyst
A business intelligence analyst fulfills a similar role to that of a data analyst, with a key difference being that they focus on creating data-informed business strategies for organizations. A big component of this role is translating raw data into visual representations that can be easily interpreted and used by other stakeholders. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a business intelligence analyst is $86,997.
Data Engineer
Data engineers are experts in using tools such as Hadoop, Spark, and Python to help organizations design, build, and maintain the infrastructure used to collect and store data. They create data pipelines and warehouses to ensure that the information collected by organizations can be easily accessed and transformed into actionable steps. The average salary for a data engineer is $100,291, according to Glassdoor.
Companies Hiring Data Analytics Bootcamp Grads
Hundreds of mid-size companies and startups regularly hire data analytics and data science bootcamp graduates. And while it’s less common, even major tech companies are known to hire data bootcamp grads from time to time. Below is a selection of companies that are known to hire data analytics bootcamp grads.
- Amazon
- IBM
- Microsoft
- Uber
- Airbnb
- Vimeo
- Charles Schwab
Is a Data Analytics Bootcamp Worth It?
Yes, a data analytics bootcamp is worth it if you want to get the training you need to break into data analytics over a short period of time. The best data analytics bootcamps offer students up-to-date curricula, career support, and access to experienced instructors so they can master the fundamentals and start successful careers in this field.
The data analytics career path is growing rapidly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the job outlook for careers in the analytics field will grow by 23 percent from 2021 to 2031, which is significantly higher than average. Data analytics is a career that offers stability, competitive salaries, and opportunities for growth, and a bootcamp is an excellent way to get started on this path.
