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How do I get started with learning data analytics?
Tips for learning SQL, Excel, Python, and Tableau.
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Allen’s Answer
Understanding data and how to organize and interpret it is the first step. Data modeling courses will help you understand when to put data together, when to separate it and why. Then practice with mysql and excel. While it's great to learn some specific tools, each organization and company has different tools and processes that you'll have to learn, so don't get too caught up in trying to learn them all. Once you know how to manage and manipulate the data you can use any tool.
Also - the most important thing is to make sure your data is accurate and complete and that it comes from a trusted source. I try to go get my own data when possible rather than rely on another source. If the data is wrong or incomplete or misinterpreted it can lead to bad business decisions. Confirmation bias is a big problem - believing data that matches what you already think is true. To counter this I try to look for data that contradicts my opinion and if I can't find any then I know mine is probably correct.
There are other biases to be aware of. This is my favorite example:
In WWII the US military was losing a lot of bombers, so they decided to analyze damage on their planes. Turns out all the damage was on the wings and center fuselage, so the initial conclusion was they needed to reinforce those areas. However, their data was incomplete because the only planes they could survey were the ones that made it back to base. The ones that were shot down could not be analyzed. So the answer was actually the inverse. Damage to the wings and center fuselage were not fatal and the planes made it back to base. So they should reinforce the other areas instead.
Also - the most important thing is to make sure your data is accurate and complete and that it comes from a trusted source. I try to go get my own data when possible rather than rely on another source. If the data is wrong or incomplete or misinterpreted it can lead to bad business decisions. Confirmation bias is a big problem - believing data that matches what you already think is true. To counter this I try to look for data that contradicts my opinion and if I can't find any then I know mine is probably correct.
There are other biases to be aware of. This is my favorite example:
In WWII the US military was losing a lot of bombers, so they decided to analyze damage on their planes. Turns out all the damage was on the wings and center fuselage, so the initial conclusion was they needed to reinforce those areas. However, their data was incomplete because the only planes they could survey were the ones that made it back to base. The ones that were shot down could not be analyzed. So the answer was actually the inverse. Damage to the wings and center fuselage were not fatal and the planes made it back to base. So they should reinforce the other areas instead.
Updated
Julie’s Answer
Hi, Jenny--It's important to gain a technical background in specific coding languages and software like you mentioned, but critical to understand how data is used and managed and why and how it's collected. IBM actually has a great website for students called Skills Build (https://skillsbuild.org/students/course-catalog) that includes a module on data science that dives into the fundamentals on how data is used in different industries. I'd start there.
For technical coding and software skills, there are so many places online offering training, some free, some paid. It can be confusing! As Sarah said, free courses on LinkedIn are a good place to start. I also really like Coursera's "SQL for data science" course, and DataCamp is good, too. Both have costs, but usually a student discount.
And, while I don't have any specific courses for it, building skill in developing insights from data, or being able to tell a story with data, should be on your radar.
Good luck,
Julie
For technical coding and software skills, there are so many places online offering training, some free, some paid. It can be confusing! As Sarah said, free courses on LinkedIn are a good place to start. I also really like Coursera's "SQL for data science" course, and DataCamp is good, too. Both have costs, but usually a student discount.
And, while I don't have any specific courses for it, building skill in developing insights from data, or being able to tell a story with data, should be on your radar.
Good luck,
Julie
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Hi - There are some great, free courses available through LinkedIn Learning. You can search and filter results by specific software (e.g., Microsoft Excel) and content level (Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced).
Updated
Godfrey’s Answer
Data analytics is a good path to future career prospects,as everything is derived from data,be it decision making, intervention and therefore need for great data analysis.
People who foresee data analytics as a career need to have basic computer skills and they also need to good statistical data analysis such as Excel,SAS, Tableau,among other analytical modules.
One can learn data analytics online free ,some are offered in YouTube tutorials which can be a basis.
However Massachusetts institute of technology is one of the best institution that offers data analytics classes that one can persue.
People who foresee data analytics as a career need to have basic computer skills and they also need to good statistical data analysis such as Excel,SAS, Tableau,among other analytical modules.
One can learn data analytics online free ,some are offered in YouTube tutorials which can be a basis.
However Massachusetts institute of technology is one of the best institution that offers data analytics classes that one can persue.