What kind of people are best suited for roles in data science?

People who are best suited for working in data science have a strong mix of technical skills and complex problem-solving skills. Beyond the job-related skills, people should have strong critical reasoning abilities, which are needed to help them analyze data and solve problems. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills allow data scientists to translate their analytical findings into actions that business leaders and decision-makers can take. Because this field continues evolving, people in data science should also be enthusiastic about learning new things and willing to constantly expand their skills.

How do I know if learning data science is right for me?

Are you passionate about using data to solve complex problems? Do you enjoy working in both the business and technology fields? Do you have a thirst for learning new things? If you can answer yes to any or all of those questions, learning data science may well be an ideal course for you. Additionally, if you're looking for a field that's in high demand and applicable to a variety of potential positions, it's hard to top data science. It's among the fastest-growing fields, and by 2026 it's predicted to create more than 11 million new jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics .

What are common career paths for someone in data science?

Data science opens up a variety of potential career paths, including data scientist, machine learning engineer, data architect, and business intelligence developer. Most people who work in data science start with entry-level jobs like junior data scientist or data analyst after earning a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Some people work their way up from entry-level jobs. Others pursue certifications or trainings specific to systems. To access the largest pool of opportunities, you might want to get a master's or doctoral degree in information technology or computer science.

What types of places hire people with a background in data science?

Data scientists work in a variety of industries, including big tech companies like Google and IBM, financial organizations, pharmaceutical companies, retailers, and even fashion houses. Data scientists work on many different types of jobs, which makes their work valuable to many different types of industries. For example, data scientists might work in fraud identification, market analysis, or manufacturing analysis. Or they might work on projects that task them with analyzing large amounts of data and putting it into reports and dashboards to help stakeholders better understand the significance. Data science can be helpful for marketing, sales, and so much more.

What are the benefits of taking an online Applied Data Science course?

Online Applied Data Science courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Applied Data Science skills. With a wide range of Applied Data Science classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Applied Data Science career skills.

What Applied Data Science courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Applied Data Science, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Applied Data Science Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Applied Data Science Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
IBM
Applied Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Plotly, Data Wrangling, Data Visualization, Interactive Data Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Cleansing, Jupyter, Matplotlib, Data Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Data Manipulation, Seaborn, Data Import/Export, Predictive Modeling, Web Scraping, Automation, Data Science, Python Programming
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
58K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Applied Data Science with Python
Skills you'll gain: Matplotlib, Network Analysis, Feature Engineering, Data Visualization Software, Interactive Data Visualization, Scientific Visualization, Pandas (Python Package), Applied Machine Learning, Supervised Learning, Text Mining, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Network Model, Jupyter, NumPy, Graph Theory, Data Manipulation, Natural Language Processing, Data Analysis, Data Processing, Unstructured Data
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
34K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
IBM
IBM Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Data Wrangling, Data Visualization, SQL, Supervised Learning, Feature Engineering, Plotly, Interactive Data Visualization, Jupyter, Data Literacy, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Mining, Data Cleansing, Matplotlib, Data Analysis, Unsupervised Learning, Generative AI, Pandas (Python Package), Professional Networking
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
143K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: New AI skills
Google
Google Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Literacy, Data Visualization, Data Presentation, Data Ethics, Rmarkdown, Interactive Data Visualization, Interviewing Skills, Data Cleansing, Data Validation, Professional Networking, Ggplot2, Tableau Software, Presentations, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Stakeholder Communications, Dashboard, Sampling (Statistics)
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
168K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Python for Data Science, AI & Development
Skills you'll gain: Jupyter, Automation, Web Scraping, Python Programming, Data Manipulation, Data Import/Export, Scripting, Data Structures, Data Processing, Data Collection, Application Programming Interface (API), Pandas (Python Package), Programming Principles, NumPy, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
41K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Applied Data Science with R
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Visualization Software, Shiny (R Package), Data Wrangling, Dashboard, Exploratory Data Analysis, Relational Databases, Data Analysis, Ggplot2, Database Design, Data Presentation, SQL, Plot (Graphics), Leaflet (Software), Data Transformation, Database Management, Data Manipulation, Web Scraping, R Programming
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Applied Data Science Capstone
Skills you'll gain: Plotly, Exploratory Data Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Data Science, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Presentation, Data Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Web Scraping, Statistical Modeling, Data Wrangling, Machine Learning Methods, Data Collection
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
7.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Google Advanced Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Storytelling, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Ethics, Data Visualization Software, Sampling (Statistics), Data Presentation, Regression Analysis, Feature Engineering, Data Transformation, Descriptive Statistics, Professional Networking, Data Visualization, Tableau Software, Data Manipulation, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Machine Learning, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Analysis, Interviewing Skills
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6.2K reviews
Advanced · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Databases and SQL for Data Science with Python
Skills you'll gain: SQL, Relational Databases, Stored Procedure, Databases, Query Languages, Jupyter, Data Manipulation, Data Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Transaction Processing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
22K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
Data Structures and Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Graph Theory, Algorithms, Network Routing, Program Development, Debugging, Network Model, Bioinformatics, Operations Research, Data Storage, Development Testing, Test Engineering, Software Testing, Theoretical Computer Science, Computational Thinking, Network Analysis, Test Case, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Epidemiology
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
17K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Statistics with Python
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Modeling, Statistical Methods, Statistical Inference, Statistics, Bayesian Statistics, Data Visualization, Matplotlib, Statistical Visualization, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Jupyter, Statistical Programming, Regression Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Predictive Modeling, Data Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Descriptive Statistics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
3.3K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Python for Everybody
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Data Processing, Relational Databases, JSON, Database Design, SQL, Network Protocols, Databases, Web Services, Restful API, Data Modeling, Programming Principles, Data Structures, Data Collection, Data Visualization Software, Data Manipulation, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Data Import/Export, Software Installation
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
277K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months