Data Prerequisites

We use data in some capacity almost every day, but learning more advanced data skills, such as those needed for data science or data analytics careers, can feel intimidating at first. You might worry that data will be too hard to learn. This guide will help you understand the best methods for learning data and what you should study first to make the learning process easier. This way, you’ll be successful however you choose to apply your new skills. 

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.

Is Data Easy to Learn?

How challenging it is to learn data depends on the type of data you are trying to learn. Are you learning a commonly used and approachable data analytics tool like Google Analytics or trying to learn a far more advanced skill, such as machine learning with Python? 

Live online classes offer data training for students of all levels. You can take beginner-friendly classes, courses that teach a specific data skill or tool, or take a deep dive into data science or data analytics through a bootcamp or certificate program. 

Free introductory courses such as Noble Desktop’s Get Started in Data Science allow absolute beginners to learn more about data science and its professional uses. Excel Level 1: Fundamentals is also designed for beginners, so you can learn Microsoft Excel without prior experience. Another commonly used tool that does not require extensive prerequisites is Google Analytics, which you can learn through Noble’s beginner-friendly Google Analytics Level 1 class.

If you want to extend your data analytics knowledge quickly—for instance, if you are looking to launch a new career—a certificate program can take you from beginner to expert in a matter of weeks. Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate program covers data analytics fundamentals, Excel, various uses of Python programming, SQL, and Tableau. This certificate program also includes one-on-one mentoring and real-world projects to prepare you for a new career.

Data science requires a thorough understanding of mathematics, scientific principles, programming languages, and data tools. It helps to have an undergraduate degree along these lines and then to use a class, bootcamp, or certificate program to upskill. The Data Science Certificate program from Noble Desktop teaches Python for data science, SQL, Python for automation, Python data visualization, and Python machine learning. 

What to Know Before Learning Data

Before choosing a data training method, you will want to consider a few things. Knowing your career goals will help you determine what data skills you need to learn or expand. You will also want to consider your budget, schedule, and learning style to determine the best training method. To learn data analytics, you must have the necessary prerequisites to enroll in a data analytics course. If you decide to pursue data science, check about any necessary prerequisites, as data science involves many complex topics. The sections below detail what you’ll want to know before learning data.

Know Your Career Goals

Data applies to all kinds of professional roles. The data skills and tools used will vary considerably from one profession to another, so knowing your career goals will help you narrow down your data training options to find the best fit. You may be looking to learn data skills to improve your individual or team efficiency, or you may want to enhance your resume to take the next step in your career path. If you want to build upon your existing skills, classes with a specific focus, such as teaching a specific data skill or tool, might work best for you. Tools like Microsoft Excel and Google Analytics can benefit almost any role. You should have solid general computer knowledge to learn these skills, especially if you intend to take an online course. Live online data training requires a stable internet connection, a webcam, and access to any necessary software or a simulator in the online learning environment.

If you want to launch a new career in data analytics or data science, there are more complex prerequisites you should gain before diving too deep.

Data Analytics Prerequisites

Data Analysts need hands-on experience with databases and data analytics tools. To start learning data analytics, you should have familiarity with the Python and R coding languages or learn these as part of a data analytics course. A background in mathematics, such as algebra, statistics, and calculus, may also be required. A basic familiarity with databases such as MySQL and MongoDB will make gaining other data analytics skills easier. The good news is that if you still need to meet a prerequisite, there are courses that can help you build the necessary foundation to become a Data Analyst. Some certificate programs and bootcamps will start by walking beginners through the basics. Other classes may require you to take a beginner-friendly course in a specific skill or subject first.

Data Science Prerequisites

Data science depends heavily on Python programming, so it helps to have a strong understanding of Python coding fundamentals before learning data science. If you are new to Python, having experience with another coding language can make learning Python easier. The Python in a Day class from Noble Desktop can provide an introductory overview of Python programming to help strengthen your understanding.

Key Insights

• Data prerequisites depend on the data skills you wish to gain.
• Learning data tools such as Microsoft Excel and Google Analytics require only basic computer skills as prerequisites.
• Launching a career as a Data Analyst or Data Scientist will require familiarity with scientific processes, mathematics, databases, and data tools.
• If you lack the necessary prerequisites, you can explore their training options through live online, instructor-led courses. 

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.