Ahmad Stevens worked in healthcare as a claims analyst and enrolled in an MBA program when he discovered Emory’s Data Analytics Certificate Program.
“I wanted to learn to use more data analytics tools. Pathstream stood out to me as I compared various programs because of the topics the program covered. I also liked how the program was self-paced and online. It paid off because the program was worth every penny.”
Ahmad says, “I am head over heels for the program. I had a phenomenal instructor, Adrian, who was instrumental in helping me stay on task and providing critical feedback on every project. My instructors were also more accessible than the professors in my MBA program. Pathstream instructors promptly responded to emails; you could set up appointments with them and take advantage of office hours. Additionally, each course included labs and projects so that you could apply your skills to business scenarios you would encounter on the job.”
Ahmad spoke highly of the program curriculum and said, “Before the program, I was proficient in Excel, but I’ve improved my Excel skills tremendously since taking the program. Many companies are looking for data analyst candidates who know how to use VLookups, Index max, and pivot tables.”
Emory’s Data Analytics Certificate Program also covers SQL, which allows you to access various information from databases, such as products, people, orders, inventory, etc.
“I never used SQL, so learning it was helpful. It makes retrieving, sorting, and analyzing data more manageable and faster. And the last course is where you learn Power BI and Tableau, two top data visualization tools. Tableau is a great tool to learn as an analyst because it lets you generate easy-to-understand dashboards and reports from data for stakeholders to review.”
Ahmad was interviewing with an insurance company and nursing home when he received his data analytics certificate.
“I was interviewing for business analyst roles and got offers from two companies looking for candidates with SQL skills. I chose BenefitFocus, an insurance company, because they offered remote and hybrid options, which appealed to me.”
Ahmad is now an associate data analyst and applying his new data skills at work.
“I am in an entry-level position but using my SQL skills daily. I usually run queries to ensure everything works well before our team puts it into production. I also work in our test database often. We use Oracle instead of MySQL at work, but I quickly adapted because of the skills I learned from the program.”
Ahmad’s last piece of advice:
“I would tell the students to engage with their instructors; they want you to succeed. I would meet with my instructor often to go over work and get feedback. Use office hours if you have questions about the material. It helped me tremendously. Another piece of advice I have is to set aside time for the program. There is a lot of information to retain, and you must prioritize learning and the coursework.”
Pathstream: Your Path to Becoming a Data Analyst
If you want to pursue a career as a data analyst, Pathstream is here to help. We offer a six-month Tableau Data Analytics Certificate that you can complete online. The course is broken down into 24 weeks of instruction so that you can easily navigate through the assigned material. It even teaches you SQL in the process!
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