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Do you recommend high schoolers to complete courses with or without a certificate ex.Harvard.edu?
Hi,
I am not sure how to jumpstart being ready in my desired career as a high schooler. I want to learn the hard skills of my current career goal, data science/ analyst. Hard skills would be like SQL, Python, data analysis, and more. Are free courses from top universities helpful for highschooler?
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4 answers
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey CK,
Great question! The short answer? Yes, free courses from top universities can be super helpful, but with or without a certificate, what really matters is what you actually learn.
Here’s the deal:
Skills > Certificates – Knowing SQL, Python, and data analysis is way more valuable than just having a piece of paper saying you took a course. Focus on learning and applying those skills.
Certificates = Nice Bonus – If a course offers a certificate and you can get it for free (or cheap), go for it! It can look good on resumes or college applications. But it’s not a must-have.
Hands-on Projects Win – The best way to prove your skills? Build something! Work on small projects, analyze real-world data, and showcase what you can do. That’ll impress colleges and future employers way more than a certificate alone.
No Pressure, Just Learn – Free courses let you explore without commitment. Start with what interests you, and if you really like it, you can always dive deeper later.
So, if a course excites you and helps you grow, go for it—certificate or not! Just make sure to have fun learning along the way.
Good luck! Hope this helps. Stya amazing mate and feel free to reach out when you need, we are here for you! 😎
Great question! The short answer? Yes, free courses from top universities can be super helpful, but with or without a certificate, what really matters is what you actually learn.
Here’s the deal:
Skills > Certificates – Knowing SQL, Python, and data analysis is way more valuable than just having a piece of paper saying you took a course. Focus on learning and applying those skills.
Certificates = Nice Bonus – If a course offers a certificate and you can get it for free (or cheap), go for it! It can look good on resumes or college applications. But it’s not a must-have.
Hands-on Projects Win – The best way to prove your skills? Build something! Work on small projects, analyze real-world data, and showcase what you can do. That’ll impress colleges and future employers way more than a certificate alone.
No Pressure, Just Learn – Free courses let you explore without commitment. Start with what interests you, and if you really like it, you can always dive deeper later.
So, if a course excites you and helps you grow, go for it—certificate or not! Just make sure to have fun learning along the way.
Good luck! Hope this helps. Stya amazing mate and feel free to reach out when you need, we are here for you! 😎
Updated
Crystal’s Answer
I work in technology, and I've seen that getting a certification is often seen as a great boost to any education, whether from high school or college. Going for a certification is a fantastic way to start learning more after finishing high school.
Updated
Saranya’s Answer
Hi CK,
100% agree with Dr.H's answer. Courses without a certificate can still be helpful as long as you are building the skills and learning. While a certificate from a reputable institution (like HarvardX) can strengthen applications, especially for selective schools and also adds credibility if you are building a professional profile like Resume/Linkedin , these courses come with a cost. Many platforms (edX, Coursera, Khan Academy) offer free courses without a certificate. I would 100% recommend making use of these sources to get a jumpstart into coding, SQL and Data science.
Hands-On > Any course. So, I also recommend trying a few hands-on projects to develop your coding skills. Wishing you the best!
100% agree with Dr.H's answer. Courses without a certificate can still be helpful as long as you are building the skills and learning. While a certificate from a reputable institution (like HarvardX) can strengthen applications, especially for selective schools and also adds credibility if you are building a professional profile like Resume/Linkedin , these courses come with a cost. Many platforms (edX, Coursera, Khan Academy) offer free courses without a certificate. I would 100% recommend making use of these sources to get a jumpstart into coding, SQL and Data science.
Hands-On > Any course. So, I also recommend trying a few hands-on projects to develop your coding skills. Wishing you the best!
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
CK
Updated
Sneha’s Answer
Hi CK! Absolutely! Taking free courses from top universities like Harvard can be a great way for high schoolers to get a head start in data science and analytics. These courses often provide a solid introduction to important hard skills such as SQL, Python, and data analysis. While earning a certificate can be a nice addition to your resume, the most important thing is gaining knowledge and hands-on experience. It is great to learn without the pressure of deadlines or grades! Good luck!
Thank you so much!
CK