It is a wonderful time to learn data analytics. With so many great resources out there, it can be hard to know exactly where to start. Online courses are an easy way to kick off your journey because of how comprehensive and accessible they are. In this article, we will go over some well-designed courses to get you in the groove of data analytics and help you start down the path of being a data analyst.
Before we get started, let us talk about some of the different providers of these courses. Two big ones are Udemy and Coursera, which offer different things but result in a nice contrast. Udemy is very beginner focused and offers a more simplistic approach to its courses, while Coursera is more academic and offers many courses with included projects and case studies.
Both vary in pricing, with Udemy being very inexpensive and sometimes offering massive deals on its courses. However, Coursera follows its pay by month approach—which can be beneficial if you already have a solid understanding of a course’s topic. If you do not like the sound of either of these options, do not worry—there are plenty more, such as StuDocu, Udacity, edX, CodeAcademy, and, of course, free data analytics tutorials here on Developer.com.
Read: Data Analytics versus Data Science: What’s the Difference?
General Data Analytics Courses
Data Analysis and Presentation Skills – Coursera
This course teaches you all things data, and most importantly, how to effectively present your insights to make meaningful connections.
Introduction to Data Analysis Using Excel – Coursera
This course helps you learn the basics of data analysis by utilizing the widely-known tool of Microsoft Excel.
SQL Courses
SQL for Data Analytics – Udemy
Learn the essentials of SQL in this course, which uses PostgreSQL to help you become fluent in SQL commands and concepts.
Learn SQL Basics for Data Science – Coursera
Don’t be scared by the mention of data science; this course gets into assessing and creating datasets, while also tackling the basics of SQL.
Python Programming Courses
Automate the Boring Stuff with Python Programming – Udemy
A fun and simple course that allows the average office worker to utilize the many powers of Python.
Crash Course on Python – Coursera
Offered by Google, this course teaches you the basics of writing Python code with no previous experience required.
Data Visualization Courses
Tableau Training for Data Science – Udemy
Learn the essentials of data visualization for data analytics and data science with this course.
Building Interactive Dashboards with Tableau – Udemy
This course focuses on creating dashboards with Tableau so you can better convey the insights of your data.
Data Visualization with Tableau Specialization – Coursera
This course teaches you the basics of building insights with Tableau.
Getting Started with Power BI Desktop – Coursera
A two hour project based course that jumps right into how to use Microsoft Power BI.
Additional Thoughts
As previously stated, there are plenty of resources available to learn data analysis concepts. If you want a more all-in-one approach, take a look at data analysis certifications—like the one offered by Google.
Want to know if the data analytics certificate from Google is worth it? Read this article: https://www.developer.com/database/google-data-analytics-certificate/
Conclusion to Top Courses for Data Analysis
No matter what data analysis courses you decide to take, it is important not to overwhelm yourself. It is easy to get caught up in all of the options available to you but do not make the mistake of treating courses solely as accolades, instead of a means of gaining knowledge. Take your time with each course and do not worry about the next one until you have got a good grasp on the topics you just learned about. Data analytics is a complex discipline and there are multiple layers to it. You will not learn it overnight, so it is best to make the most of the journey and soak up as much knowledge as you can.
Looking for a job as a data analyst or developer? Check out TechnologyAdvice’s career page to see open technology roles.