The world is getting increasingly digital, and this means big data is here to stay. In fact, the importance of big data and data analytics is going to continue growing in the coming years. Choosing a career in the field of Big Data and Analytics will be a fantastic career move, and it could be just the type of role that you have been trying to find. Data and big data analytics are the lifeblood of any successful business. Getting the technology right can be challenging but building the right team with the right skills to undertake data initiatives can be even harder - a challenge reflected in the rising demand for big data and analytics skills and certifications.
Over the past few years, the explosion of interest in technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are increasing the demand for data scientists and analysts. If you're looking to get an edge on a data analytics career, certification is a great option. Certifications measure your knowledge and skills against industry- and vendor-specific benchmarks to prove to employers that you have the right skillset. The number of data analytics certs is expanding rapidly. Professionals who are working in this field can expect an impressive salary, with the median salary for Data Scientists being $116,000. Even those who are at the entry-level will find high salaries, with average earnings of $92,000. As more and more companies realize the need for specialists in big data and analytics, the number of these jobs will continue to grow. Close to 80% of the Data Scientists say there is currently a shortage of professionals working in the field.
What should be your education?
If you are interested in pursuing a Data Analytics career and want to get an edge over your peers, certification is a great option. By enrolling for a certification course, you can gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this growing field. Most data scientists - 90% and above have an advanced degree. Only rest have a bachelor’s degree; 44% have a master’s degree, and 48% have a Ph.D. Therefore, it stands to reason that those who want to boost their careers and have the best chance for a long and fruitful career with excellent compensation will need to work toward getting higher education. Some of the most common certifications for those in the field include,
EMC: Data Science Associate (EMCDSA),
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Exam Code: DEA-7TT2
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Exam Duration: 90 minutes
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Exam Questions: 60
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Passing Score: 60%
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Exam Price: $230 (USD)
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Exam Registration: Pearson VUE
SAS Certified Predictive Modeler,
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Exam Code: A00-255
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Exam Duration: 165 minutes
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Exam Questions: 55 to 60
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Passing Score: 725/1000
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Exam Price: $250 (USD)
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Exam Registration: Pearson VUE
SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional Using SAS 9
The certification requires passing two exams:
1. SAS Advanced Predictive Modeling
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Exam Code: A00-225
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Exam Duration: 110 minutes
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Exam Questions: 50 to 55 MCQ
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Passing Score: 67%
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Exam Price: $180 (USD)
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Exam Registration: Pearson VUE
2. SAS Text Analytics, Time Series, Experimentation and Optimization
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Exam Code: A00-226
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Exam Duration: 110 minutes
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Exam Questions: 50 to 55 MCQ
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Passing Score: 68%
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Exam Price: $180 (USD)
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Exam Registration: Pearson VUE
SAS Certified Big Data Professional Using SAS 9,
The certification requires passing two exams:
1. SAS Big Data Preparation, Statistics and Visual Exploration
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Exam Code: A00-220
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Exam Duration: 110 minutes
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Exam Questions: 55 to 60 MCQ
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Passing Score: 67%
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Exam Price: $180 (USD)
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Exam Registration: Pearson VUE
2. SAS Big Data Programming and Loading
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Exam Code: A00-221
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Exam Duration: 105 minutes
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Exam Questions: 60 to 65 MCQ
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Passing Score: 68%
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Exam Price: $180 (USD)
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Exam Registration: Pearson VUE
Many professionals who are working in the field today have more than one role in their job. They may act as researchers, who are entrusted with mining company data for information. They may also be involved with business management. Around 40% of professionals work in this capacity. Others work in creative and development roles. Being versatile and being able to take on various roles can make a person more valuable to the team. Being willing to work in a variety of fields can help, too. While the technology field accounts for 41% of the jobs in data science currently, it is proving to be important in other areas also. This includes marketing, corporate, consulting, healthcare, financial services, government, and gaming.
Data and big data analytics are the lifeblood of any successful organization, so if this is the career path you want to pursue, you have plenty of scope for learning and growth. Certifications measure your knowledge and skills against specific benchmarks to prove to potential employers that you have what it takes to work in the field of Data Analytics. We hope our guide to data analytics and big data certifications can help you decide which credential is right for you and your career!