Certifications Vs Internships Vs Degree to get a Data Science Job in 2023

Data science has become a niche word in the job market.
Being the versatile field it is, Data Science is getting an unflinching attention from today’s Youth. Despite its wide scope across the globe, it is still the proverbial 'Rocket Science' to the people, especially if you are beginning afresh. This is merely due to the widespread availability of resources and options.

Diving into Data Science, while it sounds a lot intimidating, it needn’t have to be that way. Just a few steps in the appropriate direction and you are good to grab the biggest of opportunities.

Let us look into the simplest & effective preliminaries of securing a Data Science job. Most Data Science jobs require very less knowledge. It demands various skill sets like programming (R, Python, Julia, etc.), Excel, Presentation, etc.
How do you develop these skill sets?
Well, here are 3 ways which can get you closer to your dream job in Data Science;

1. Certifications: Certification courses have gained a huge momentum in recent years. They generally provide content and assessment on a package basis. But their easy availability might often dent the weightage of the certificate obtained and may not prove to be effective.

2. Internships: Internships are beneficial as well as valuable since you not only sharpen the required skills but also do the work of Data Scientists by doing the practical fieldwork. This, unlike certification, reduces the time lags between the time of learning the skill and actually applying it.

3. Traditional Learning: In Traditional structure of learning of full time programs, an ideal mix of theory, technical skills and soft skills provides a fertile ground for your Data Science Career. This is the simplest and the least uncertain path to learn the skills related to Data Science & ensure a job. The USP of this type of learning is final placements. It also gives a cohort of people which is effective in discussing and learning skills.

However, these aren’t the only ways to learn the necessities of Data Science. Whilst either of the above strategies may work for you, a mixture of all the above might be the only way for the other people.
This is being said so that the information provided above proves only to be a food for thought and does not deter your thirst for Data Science.

Data Science is an emerging field and evolves every single day, so it is essential to stay relevant. While it doesn’t just have to be a degree or a course, it can be as simple as keeping tabs on the recent developments in the field.

Remember, it is the “Small steps, every day.” So, make sure you take that first step with this very little ounce of knowledge you just gained.
Best Wishes!