How Long Does it Take to Learn Data?

Like many aspiring Data Scientists and Data Analysts or professionals in other fields looking for deeper insights into an organization, you might want to learn data but worry that it will take too much time. How long it takes to learn data depends on whether you want to learn a specific skill or launch a new career. Learning the basics of a data tool like Excel or Google Analytics can take as little as a day. Completing a certificate program in data science or data analytics typically takes a few months. Keep reading to learn about how you can learn data and some resources to help speed the process along.

What is Data?

Data refers to facts and statistics collected for reference or analysis. Data allows businesses to track finances, marketing campaigns, market share, efficiency, and more. Today, data management systems can sort complex data from numerous sources using artificial intelligence and machine learning, giving businesses unparalleled insights. Some data management systems can also make future projections based on existing data. These forecasts assist businesses in planning budgets, setting goals, determining deadlines, and more.

We all use data daily, but some professions specialize in gathering, analyzing, storing, and managing data. These careers include Data Analysts, Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, Business Intelligence Analysts, Data Architects, Marketing Analysts, Business Systems Analysts, and more. Whether you wish to pursue one of these careers or simply want to understand the data systems and strategies that impact your business, online and in-person classes can teach you valuable skills. 

Read more about what data is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with Data?

Data has nearly endless uses. Data measures the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, determines budgets, forecasts company growth, and highlights industry trends, trends within an organization, and more. Understanding data science and data analytics can help business owners better manage their organizations, help marketing teams become more efficient and effective, assist business leaders in determining goals, or help launch your career as a Data Analyst or Data Scientist. 

Data science jobs include Python Engineers, Data Journalists, Data Engineers, Business Analysts, and more. Data Scientists create machine learning models that help process raw data, giving a company better insights. Analysts interpret and track this data to continuously improve processes. Data helps organizations make the most of every minute and every dollar, which is one reason Data Scientists and Data Analysts are in such high demand.

Average Time it Takes to Learn Data

The average time it takes to learn data varies based on what data skills you want to learn. You may have a narrow focus, such as learning the basics of Microsoft Excel or Google Analytics. Or you may be looking to pivot into a new career in data science or data analytics. Read on to learn more about the factors determining how long it takes to learn data.

Learning Specific Data Skills or Tools

Learning data tool fundamentals often takes little time, sometimes just one day, depending on your prior experience using the tool and what functions you want to learn. Introductory courses covering Microsoft Excel, Google Analytics, and the Tableau data visualization tool take only a day or two. Bootcamps may cover Levels 1 and 2 in a single course. You can also opt to take a Level 1 course first, which typically takes just one day, making it reasonably easy for professionals to schedule a workshop or bootcamp. If entire teams or professionals across an organization wish to learn a data tool, corporate training allows them to learn together remotely or onsite at the organization’s office. Once you have mastered the fundamentals, you can explore intermediate and advanced classes to make the most of your data tools.

Launching a New Career in Data

To launch a new career requires more training than simply learning a few data tools. A data analytics or data science certificate course lasts anywhere from six weeks to six months, depending on the curriculum and whether you enroll part-time or full-time. Part-time enrollment works best for most students as it allows you to balance data training with other responsibilities, such as working full-time. If you can enroll full-time, however, you can complete a certificate program in as little as six weeks, allowing you to start your new career sooner. Some certificate programs and bootcamps may require specific prerequisites. And if you don’t have the foundational skills required to enroll directly in a certificate course, you may need additional time to take the necessary prerequisite classes or otherwise gain prerequisite skills.

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

The difficulty level of learning data varies considerably based on your educational and professional background, familiarity with data concepts and tools, and the specific skills you wish to gain. Read on to learn more about the difficulty, prerequisites, and cost of learning data science and data analytics. 

Because much of data science depends on having a background in science, mathematics, and sometimes engineering, data analytics can prove a more accessible place to start. Many professions use data analytics daily, even if “analyst” is not in the job title. For example, Marketing Specialists, Marketing Managers, and other marketing professionals depend on data analysis to gauge the effectiveness of digital marketing strategies. Because so many professions use at least a basic level of data analysis, just about anyone can benefit by taking a data analytics course with broad applications, such as Noble Desktop’s Google Analytics Bootcamp or Excel for Data Analytics class. Individual, focused courses such as these tend to cost around $600 to $700. 

Longer courses have an increased cost, with certificate programs often the most expensive due to their length and the instructor’s active involvement. Noble’s Data Analytics Certificate program costs around $5,000, with flexible payment plans available. Some companies cover the cost of classes as part of an employee’s internal professional development, so it is always worth checking with your employer about their reimbursement policies.

Data science is a challenging, multidisciplinary field involving statistics, business knowledge, and computer programming. Prerequisites include understanding mathematical modeling, machine learning, and other means of extracting valuable insights from raw data. Businesses of all sizes, from startups to government agencies, hire Data Scientists. Data science skills include learning Python, SQL, machine learning, and more. The complexity of data science makes it extremely difficult to learn independently, so an instructor-led course often provides the best way to learn. The best way to establish foundational data science skills and knowledge is through an instructor-led program such as Noble Desktop’s Data Science Certificate program. Certificate programs like this cost around $4,000 and up, depending on the school, the length of the program, and more. 

Read about how difficult it is to learn data.

Watch a Free Data Online Course

If you aren’t ready to dive into an entire course and want to begin with an overview of data, you can begin with free introductory data courses online. Noble Desktop offers a free online seminar to get you started in data science. You can watch this video on demand at any time. 

Paid learning platforms like Udemy and Coursera offer a free trial during which you can start data classes. You can view video courses on data science, data analytics, machine learning, SQL, Tableau, Excel, and more.

Read about more free data videos and online tutorials.

Learn Data with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers hands-on training in data science and data analytics. These courses are led by expert instructors and include hands-on projects, small class sizes, and free retake options. Noble offers a Data Analytics Certificate and Data Science Certificate. Both certificate programs include one-on-one mentoring, setup assistance, flexible payment options, and career preparation. 

You can also focus on learning specific data science or analytics skills through classes and bootcamps. Learn how to write SQL queries, join tables, aggregate data, and filter results with SQL Bootcamp. The Tableau for Data Visualization course shows you how to convert raw data into interactive visualizations. 

You can explore multiple data analytics and data science training options here.

Key Insights

• The time it takes to learn data varies, ranging from a single day to several months, depending on the data skills or tools you wish to learn.
• Learning the basics of Microsoft Excel, Google Analytics, or Tableau can take as little as one day. 
• Learning skills for a new career in data analytics or data science takes longer due to the complexities and prerequisites of becoming a Data Analyst or Data Scientist.
• Certificate programs in data science and data analytics take around half a year to complete with part-time enrollment but can take as little as six weeks with full-time enrollment.
• You can receive comprehensive data training through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop.