Data analytics is now central to the day-to-day operations of so many businesses. In all sectors, companies and institutions are using data analytics tools to more efficiently manage supply chains, customer relations and manufacturing, and more.
It’s not just businesses that are making an investment in improving their data management capabilities. Educational institutions like school districts and universities are collecting more data than ever before to provide effective and equitable services to a diverse student population. The healthcare sector is no different, looking for ways to manage patient data to improve outcomes and allocate resources.
It’s no surprise that finding qualified and highly competent data analysts is a top priority for the principal stakeholders of these companies and institutions. If you are looking to advance in your career or find a more challenging and rewarding job role, the CompTIA Data + Certification is something you’ll want to add to your resume.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- What is the CompTIA Data+ Certification?
- Why Did CompTIA Create The New Data+ Certification?
- What Skills Does The CompTIA Data+ Certification Demonstrate?
- What Types Of Data Analysis Jobs Can I Expect To Find After Completing My Certification Training And Earning My Certificate?
- How Does CompTIA Data+ Compare To Other Types Of Certifications?
- How Is The CompTIA Data+ Certification Earned?
- Investing In Your Education Is An Investment In Your Career Potential
1. What is the CompTIA Data+ Certification?
Earning highly recognized certifications like the ones available from CompTIA are a way to demonstrate to your future or current employer that you have the technical skills and expertise necessary to do the job.
There are hundreds of certifications available from various platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, Google, and many more. The challenge can often be in narrowing down which ones that offer the most value for you and where you are in your career.
The CompTIA Data+ Certification is geared toward individuals at a more early stage of their career. It’s geared towards helping you analyze and interpret data in a way that will be highly useful and desirable to any employer. Not only will the certification program help you deal with data, you’ll also learn how to communicate it effectively so it can provide the most value.
2. Why Did CompTIA Create The New Data+ Certification?
As data structures have become more complex and data sets have gotten larger, it has become increasingly difficult for companies to successfully integrate data into their business decision-making workflow. In fact, the number of companies who feel they are where they want to be in terms of data management has shrunk over time.
CompTIA aimed to fill this gap with data analysts who can perform at the highest level, and help companies take the data into actionable insights. Better data analysis means better decisions, higher productivity, and a competitive advantage.
3. What Skills Does The CompTIA Data+ Certification Demonstrate?
When companies are searching for the right employee to perform data analysis, there’s a very specific set of skills they are looking for. Passing your certification exam demonstrates that you have these skills and meet their business requirements, making your job application much more attractive. When you’ve passed your exam, you’ll be able to show proficiency in topics such as:
- Data mining
- Analyzing complex datasets
- Data governance
- Data manipulation
- Appropriate descriptive statistical methods
- Data acquisition concepts
In addition to these key skills, you’ll be playing an important part in helping your company succeed. The value you demonstrate will pay dividends in promotions, better compensation, and more career choices.
4. What Types Of Data Analysis Jobs Can I Expect To Find After Completing My Certification Training And Earning My Certificate?
While data science and analytics is a fairly specific field, the skills you have in working with different data types and formats can be applied to several types of positions. Certainly, many people will be seeking a position specifically as a “Data analyst,” but there are a host of other job roles you may qualify for including:
- Marketing analyst
- Operations analyst
- Reporting analyst
- Business intelligence analyst
- Cybersecurity analyst
5. How Does CompTIA Data+ Compare To Other Types Of Certifications?
The great thing about the CompTIA certification is that it’s what’s called “vendor-neutral.” This means that it’s not tied to a specific platform like AWS, Google, or Microsoft. Rather, it’s rooted more in the fundamentals of data analytics.
It’s a great place to start, and it’s specifically geared towards people early in their careers. It shows you’ve mastered the data analysis techniques and types of analysis most sought after by businesses of all types and across multiple sectors.
Once you’ve mastered these prerequisites, you can always go on to take more advanced and platform-specific training. After a few months of experience in your new job, you’ll be in a great position to seek the additional training that will be of the greatest value to you.
6. How Is The CompTIA Data+ Certification Earned?
The first step is to find a highly reputable training program. Once you enroll in a CompTIA Data+ course, you’ll want to have a look at the exam objectives. This way your exam prep will be targeted and time-efficient.
Though the Data+ certification is geared towards people at an early stage of their career it’s not for total beginners. CompTIA recommends that you have 18-24 months of data visualization experience, are familiar and proficient in Excel, SQL, relevant file formats, and analytical tools as well as have basic data analytics skills.
Training to pass the exam is interactive and engaging. CompTIA offers their CertMaster Learn + labs study guide to help you master the topics you need. It usually takes between 30 and 40 hours for exam preparation for the exam, to give you the best chance of passing. You’ll have the opportunity to take plenty of practice tests so you can make sure you are on the right track.
Studying for the CompTIA Data+ certification on your own is doable, but often leaves you without the required technical skills in your background, or the necessary resources to translate your exam score into an IT career.
Join over 2,000 students who have enrolled in CIAT accredited Certificate and Degree programs and are on their path to launching or advancing their IT careers. Our extensive, custom designed IT curriculum provides training for up to 24 industry certifications, including CompTIA Data+.
- No exam fees
- Unlimited exam attempts*
- Hands-on training through on-campus and virtual online classes
- Online test preparation workshops
- Test preparation software
- Complimentary week-long IT bootcamps
- One-on-one support from certified instructors
- Accredited Certificate and Degree programs to beef up your resume
- Personalized career services support including resume building and job placement support
*Students are encouraged to take certification exams while actively enrolled in the degree program. Unlimited certification exam attempts expire 180 days after graduation Some exclusions apply. See CIAT certification exam policy
7. Investing In Your Education Is An Investment In Your Career Potential
By making an investment of time and money in learning skills, and earning the certification that goes with it, you’ll be demonstrating to your current and future employer that you have the drive to succeed. Certifications such as CompTIA Data+ not only show your technical expertise, they exhibit a passion for the field of data analytics. This translates to a much higher earning potential along with the opportunity to secure positions of greater responsibility and respect.
Questions about getting certified?
Whether you’re just entering the workforce or trying to take your career to the next level, CIAT offers the certifications needed to prove your expertise to current and future employers. Navigating the IT certification landscape by yourself can be challenging. If you’re wondering which certification pathway is right for you, we’re here to help.
Let us help you achieve your career goals.
Our personalized IT career coaching services focus on professional and personal development to help prepare you for your career.