Page Text: 2021 Best Data Science Bootcamps received an average 4.81 of 5 based on 7102 reviews.
What Are Data Science Bootcamps?
A data science bootcamp is a short-term, intensive training program designed to help students become data scientists by teaching them in-demand data skills through project-based learning. A program usually lasts from 3-6 months for full-time students, who may spend up to 10 hours a day, five days per week, completing projects and practicing new skills. Most programs — whether offered online or in-person — are open to all levels of educational and technical experience, from those just entering the job market out of high school to those with a four-year degree looking for a new career. Importantly, some data science bootcamps are more advanced and require prior data analytics knowledge or even a bachelor's degree in STEM. Regardless, it's recommended that students brush up on their statistics and math skills before enrolling in a data science bootcamp.
While some consider the work exciting and satisfying, it may be challenging for others, depending on a student’s natural aptitude and skill set. Data scientists typically have an analytical mindset, a strong background in statistics and mathematics, and a talent for identifying pertinent information in large data sets, so this field is well-suited for those who work well with numbers and understand data patterns. Specific technical skills may be beneficial to students, such as familiarity with Python or a similar programming language. Furthermore, since data scientists influence everything from product development to marketing campaigns, those in this role must effectively convey the significance of data trends to various groups. Therefore, strong oral and written communication skills are essential.
A data science bootcamp is a short-term, intensive training program designed to help students become data scientists by teaching them in-demand data skills through project-based learning.
Data science bootcamps usually cost a fraction of a four-year degree, and you may be eligible for scholarships, loans, payment deferment, and other types of financial aid. You may also find that a data science bootcamp holds more practical value because its curriculum targets specific skills rather than the broader, theoretical education offered by a traditional degree program.
What Do You Learn in a Data Science Bootcamp?
Data science bootcamps are designed to give you the necessary, hands-on skills for entering the job market directly after graduation. In addition to learning Python, you'll study other programming languages, such as Structured Query Language (SQL), JavaScript, HyperText Markup Language (HTML), and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Some programs also include discussions about Big Data and Machine Learning in their curriculum. As you complete your bootcamp, you'll hone your skills in critical thinking, analytics, statistics, and calculus.
Each project in the program is structured around proving a hypothesis. You’ll often begin by cleaning data, which refers to searching for and eliminating bad records, and then you can hypothesize the results. Then, you'll use the concepts you're learning and collect data to prove whether your hypothesis about the data is correct. After several projects, you'll have built a comprehensive portfolio that demonstrates your data science skills to present to prospective employers.
Are Data Science Bootcamps Worth It?
Data science bootcamps offer opportunities for those ready to make a career change and join a rapidly growing field. Data science is in-demand, and the field is expected to grow 8% through 2030, which is faster than average. In other words, the number of jobs is outpacing the number of skilled workers. Due to the need for data scientists, many employers — including big tech companies — accept skilled workers with diverse educational backgrounds, such as those who have completed a bootcamp. Although some employers have stigmatized bootcamps, they increasingly appreciate graduates’ skill levels. As a result, by completing a bootcamp you'll gain a highly marketable skill set that is applicable across industries as well as a potential salary boost. In fact, our 2018 survey found that bootcamp graduates increased their salaries by 46% after completing data science programs.
Since data science bootcamps are intensive and focused, they are shorter and more affordable than traditional degree programs. The flip side is that a bootcamp requires a lot of grueling work over a short period, so while the overall program goes by faster than earning a degree, its day-to-day requirements are often more demanding. For this reason, a bootcamp may be challenging to manage alongside other obligations. Furthermore, although these bootcamps are highly concentrated, they may not offer the broad, theoretical knowledge that a bachelor's degree provides. Instead, bootcamps provide mentorship and tutoring opportunities as well as hands-on training by tackling real-world challenges.
By completing a bootcamp you'll gain a highly marketable skill set that is applicable across industries as well as a potential salary boost.
Meanwhile, financing a data science bootcamp can present another obstacle. If you have to pay tuition up-front, the cost may strain your budget. Before applying, check to see if your school offers payment options that work within your means.
A factor that makes data science bootcamps appealing is their career services, which usually provide networking opportunities, job interview preparation, hiring sessions, and post-graduation career coaching. Like in-person degrees, industry professionals often teach online bootcamps, allowing you to gain up-to-date knowledge and insights into the field.
Choosing and Applying to a Data Science Bootcamp
Besides considering cost and location, it’s useful to ask questions about your program that are specific to your interests, needs, and goals. When deciding on which data science bootcamp to attend, consider the following questions:
Will this bootcamp help me land a job?
Find out if the bootcamp you are considering offers job placement support after the program’s completion. Sometimes a coding school lists who they work with, and these may be potential employers. You may also consider whether the companies you're interested in working for hire bootcamp graduates, specifically.
What kind of support does the bootcamp offer?
If you're looking at an online bootcamp, find out what kind of technical and educational assistance the program provides and whether this comes from a live person. You may also consider asking when help is available and how long it takes for a response. These questions are especially important if you attend an online bootcamp in a different time zone.
Do you need prior experience?
While some bootcamps accept students at any experience level, others expect learners to have advanced skills. Before applying, ask what skills are necessary for success in the program.
What's the time commitment?
When managing your schedule, it helps to determine how much time you'll be expected to study each week. Attending a bootcamp part-time may be a suitable option, but the program will take longer to complete.
Is an online bootcamp right for me?
It may be easier to fit an online bootcamp into your busy schedule, especially one that offers flexibility through asynchronous lessons. Online bootcamps not only rival the quality of in-person programs but may also be more convenient for those looking to complete the program from home.
What are the hardware and software requirements?
If you are new to the field, you may have to upgrade your current computer system or invest in a better broadband plan to meet a bootcamp’s requirements. As a result, you may have to factor this into your budget, as it requires spending more money for your education.
A valuable tool for researching employment outcomes is LinkedIn . If you look up the school offering the bootcamp, you can click on the alumni tab to see where the program graduates live and work. LinkedIn could also provide a setting for networking with these graduates and others in the field.
Once you've chosen your data science bootcamp, the application process is fairly straightforward. Although registration at each school may vary slightly — especially if a school offers financing options — schools generally only require your personal information and a credit card number. Most often, schools do not request transcripts or test scores.
Funding a Data Science Bootcamp
While bootcamps are typically not covered by federal financial aid, many offer alternative financing options, including deferred tuition, ISAs , and scholarships . With deferred tuition, schools defer payment until their graduates are hired. Meanwhile, others guarantee their program’s success by offering to refund the cost if a graduate cannot find a job within six months of completing the program. Therefore, as you consider enrolling in a program, ask to speak to someone in the school's finance department, and they will discuss available options.
If you opt to receive a private loan from a lender, do so with caution. First, check if the bootcamp has partnered with a lender that offers special interest rates and flexible repayment options. Scholarship options, such as the ones listed below, are preferred because students don’t have to repay the cost: