Overview

An online data science bootcamp is a comprehensive and intensive program designed to prepare you for a data science career. During a bootcamp, you’ll learn essential skills needed in data science careers, like Python, data visualization, SQL and more. Data science bootcamps can be a great way to fast-track you for a brand-new career field or they can be a helpful way for you to expand your existing technology knowledge.

Pursuing a data science bootcamp may also prepare you for a personally and financially rewarding career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), data scientists earned a median annual wage of $108,020 in 2023. There is increased demand for data scientists and database administrators, since all types of businesses have more access to customer data now than ever before, and data science careers support data-informed business decision-making.

Reed Hyde teaches an intensive six-month data science bootcamp at a major East Coast university. He notes that his students tend to fall into two groups: Those who want to change their career and those who want to augment their career.

Students tend to fall into two groups: Those who want to change their career and those who want to augment their career.

“Career augmenters include people who want to add data science to accelerate their current career,” Hyde explains. “In this group I’ve taught several post-doctoral students who, having earned their chops in, say, neuroscience, have found machine learning (and data science in general), intruding into their scientific discipline. Bootcamps open the door to mastering the new techniques in data analytics that increasingly appear in scientific appears. For these students, bootcamps present a career facilitator.”

He explains that students who already have technical jobs may use the bootcamp to broaden their technical foundations. “Several of my students have continued after bootcamp to acquire certificates in data science-related technologies, and a handful have gone on to masters degrees in data science. For this group, bootcamp provides the prerequisites to their continued studies,” says Hyde.

He notes that students who are switching careers but who don’t have a technical background can also benefit from bootcamps if they continue to pursue data science courses, such as those from a community college, to help them establish their technical credibility. “The key is to signal that they are both technically proficient and able to continue learning,” says Hyde.

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What to expect from an online data science bootcamp

Data science bootcamps can be completed in a shorter timeframe than traditional degrees. Most bootcamps last between three and six months. Attending an online bootcamp often means that you will be able to choose to study on a full-time or part-time basis, offering you increased flexibility that can be helpful if you’re balancing your education with a job or with family obligations.

Popular online data science bootcamps

Here are some examples of what online data science bootcamps may have to offer:

Career pathways for bootcamp graduates

Students who complete an online data science bootcamp will be prepared for several different careers:

Data Scientist: Data scientists collect and analyze data, helping businesses to make data-based decisions. According to the BLS, data scientists earned a median annual wage of $108,020 in 2023. The BLS projects that data scientist employment should grow by 35.2% through 2032, which is much faster than other occupations. That growth is driven by an increased availability of data and increased business demand for strategic, data-driven decisions.

Database Administrator: Database administrators create and manage databases, maintain and protect data in the cloud and locally, and make sure that analysts can access the data they need. The BLS reports that database administrators earned a median annual wage of $101,510 in 2023. Employment of database administrators is projected to grow by 7% through 2032, which is faster than the average across all occupations. That growth is driven by the fact that companies continuously need data, as well as the database design and security to protect that data.

Financial Analyst: Financial analysts evaluate financial data and make data-driven recommendations to business owners. They also study economic and business trends and collaborate with supervisory staff to better understand the company’s financial prospects. The BLS reports that in 2023, financial analysts earned a median annual wage of $99,010. The job outlook for financial analysts is strong, with employment predicted to grow by 7.6% through 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. That increased job growth is driven by economic activity, and emerging markets and new investment opportunities are creating more need for analysts.

How to succeed in an online data science bootcamp

• Time management tips: “Be prepared for a real shock to your system,” says Hyde. “Make a schedule early on and stick to it. Bootcamp encompasses nine hours of class each week, several hours for weekly homework assignments, plus time to complete four group projects. Additionally, you need to review and practice course material you didn’t understand the first time through.” He also recommends getting a spouse, parent or significant other to help you keep up with all of your responsibilities in addition to meeting your bootcamp obligations. “A lot of life can take place in 24 weeks, and participating in a bootcamp is a lot like holding down a demanding second job,” Hyde says.
• Study tips: Hyde recommends that you try to adapt what you’re learning in your bootcamp to your current job. “Students that deploy into their present jobs what they learn in bootcamp find they learn much faster and retain what they learn,” he says. Familiarize yourself with how you learn best. Consider forming a study group with other students, which can help to keep you motivated and which allows you to support each other, too.
• Test-taking tips: To prepare for a data science assessment or test, consider creating a library of often-used programming functions. You might not be able to use the resource during the test, but the act of creating it can familiarize you with essential functions. You can also practice coding challenges using platforms like CoderByte and CodeSignal. Take the time to review your data science fundamentals; the more time you take to prepare, the more confident you will feel going into the test.

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Helpful resources

• The Data Science Association works to support data scientists and improve the data science profession. Members enjoy professional advancement opportunities, a library of data science news and resources like academic papers and white papers.
• The Association of Data Scientists is a global body serving data science professionals’ needs. The Association organizes international conferences, published scholarly journals, offers ongoing learning opportunities and more.
• INFORMS is an international association for data science professionals. It publishes a bi-monthly member magazine, holds meetings and conferences, and publishes 16 peer-reviewed journals.
• The Data Science Council of America offers accreditations to universities, certifications and partnership opportunities within the data science industry.

How to choose the right program for you

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Are online data science bootcamps worth it?

Online data science bootcamps may be an excellent way to learn new skills to enhance your existing technology career, or to prepare yourself for an entirely new career option. These bootcamps offer a comprehensive education in a short timeframe, and they’re a more affordable investment than many degree programs. While bootcamps are intense and challenging, they can be a worthwhile step to help you advance your career.

Can you become a data scientist with just a bootcamp?

Yes, a quality data science bootcamp can teach you the skills you need to become a data scientist. Having a background in computer science is helpful, but after completing a bootcamp, you may be prepared for entry-level data scientist and database administrator positions.

What is the difference between a bootcamp and a course?

Data science bootcamps are detailed and rigorous programs that focus on the data science skill set. They work to give you the broad set of skills that you will need to become a data scientist. Courses tend to focus on a smaller element of that skill set. For example, a course might focus on machine learning, but a bootcamp would include not only machine learning, but also Python programming skills, AI and more.

In conclusion

Online data science bootcamps offer a rigorous and comprehensive education that can help you to prepare for a new data science career or enhance your existing technology skills. Since the bootcamps are delivered online, you can often balance them with your other obligations, and many bootcamps give the option to study on a full-time or part-time basis. Bootcamps can be intense, so it’s important to be prepared for the demands of the program, but they’re also a shorter-term alternative to degree programs that can allow you to get started in your career within four to six months.

Ready to take the next step in advancing your career? Explore available online data science bootcamps today.

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