Why a PGCP is the Best Way to Upskill in Data Science

A Post Graduate Certificate Program (PGCP) in Data Science is an ideal choice for upskilling as it offers you an industry-relevant and focused curriculum. It can help you build both analytical and technical data science skills. As opposed to generic courses, PGCPs offer you a combination of hands-on projects and theoretical learning.  

This article will discuss the importance of a PGCP in Data Science upskilling and explain such programs. It will also highlight the reasons to upskill in data science and the key benefits of the program. The article will also detail the career opportunities available after such a program and the benefits of pursuing the program from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). 

An Interesting Read: PGCP Data Science Course Guide

What is a PGCP in Data Science?

A PGCP in data science is a specialized and short-term academic program. It is designed to equip you with practical skills and advanced knowledge in the data science domain. This is why these programs are the best option to upskill in data science. Universities and business schools usually offer these programs along with the top training institutes. They bridge the gap between the basic concepts of data science and their application. Thus, these programs are ideal for both working professionals and students who are looking to either grow within or change to data-driven careers.

Following are the core subjects covered in the program:

• Statistics
• Programming – R or Python
• Data Visualization
• Machine Learning 
• Big Data Tools 
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

Apart from that, these programs offer you practical learning opportunities through industry-relevant projects, problem-solving exercises, and case studies. 

Also Read: What is the difference between PGCP data science and MSc data science?

Why Upskill in Data Science?

Data science certification courses have become extremely important in the modern digital economy as data is the lifeblood of decision-making throughout industries. When you upskill in Data Science, you gain the ability to extract insights from massive datasets. 

High Demand across Industries

Data science expertise is highly sought after in different domains, such as the following:

• Healthcare
• Finance 
• Retail 
• Technology 
• Manufacturing

This is why the certificate is such a versatile career asset. 

Competitive Edge in the Job Market

If you have data science skills, it places you at a higher position compared to your competitors. It makes you a valuable problem-solver in workplaces that are becoming more data-driven. 

Lucrative Career Opportunities

As a data science professional, you can get a high salary because of your specialized skill set. It also helps that in this profession, you can deliver measurable business value.

Ability to Make Business Impact

When you interpret data and analyze it you can contribute straight away to strategic decisions and operational efficiency. You can also provide your company with innovative solutions for various problems. 

Future-Proof Your Career

AI and automation are constantly evolving. As such, data science is a rather strong domain that makes sure that you stay relevant for a long time.    

Read More: Navigating the Choices: MBA Data Science vs MBA Business Analytics, MSC Data Science vs MSC Business Analytics, PGCP BA vs PGCP Data Science

Key Benefits of PGCP in Data Science

The benefits that you get from a data science PGCP make it the best data science course for working professionals. The main benefits of these programs are career advancement, access to valuable resources, and improved skills.  

• Career advancement: These programs provide you with job-ready skills and increase your earning potential. They also offer you career flexibility and help you upgrade your role and gain promotions in your workplace. In these programs, you develop the practical skills that you require to do well in various data science roles. 

• Skill enhancement: These programs are great from the point of view of technical proficiency. They also offer you ample opportunities to develop strategic thinking, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. In these courses, you can grow your communication skills and cultivate business acumen as well. These programs focus on teaching you skills that are in high demand, such as the following:

1. Python Programming 
2. Machine Learning 
3. Data Visualization
4. Database Management 

Apart from these, you get the following benefits from these programs:

1. Convenience and Flexibility 
2. Access to Resources from Across the World 
3. Networking Opportunities 
4. Hands-On Experience 
5. The Ability to Stay Ahead Of the Curve 

Check This Out: PGCP BA vs PGCP Data Science: detailed elaboration

Who Should Consider a PGCP in Data Science?

Are you looking to improve your data science skills? Are you looking to transition to a data science career? If the answers to both these questions are yes, you should go for a PGCP data science course with placement. These programs are beneficial for students who are from relevant backgrounds such as computer science, statistics, and mathematics. However, this in no way means that you cannot pursue these programs if you are from any other academic background. 

These programs are the ideal options for the following types of candidates:

• Career Changers 
• Professionals Looking for Career Advancement
• Graduates from Related Backgrounds 
• People with Strong Problem-Solving and Analysis Skills 
• People Looking for Practical Skills 
• Working Professionals 

However, before you choose such a program, you must consider a few factors to make sure that you are making the best choice:

• Your Present Background and Skillset 
• Your Career Goals 
• Structure and Curriculum of the Program 
• Placement Assistance provided,  and the Reputation of the Program
• Your Learning Style 

Career Opportunities after PGCP

A PGCP in Data Science can open doors to different career paths in the domain of data science for you. These roles focus primarily on data analysis, machine learning, and data engineering. 

After graduating from a PGCP course, you can expect to be employed in any of the following industries:

• Information Technology (IT) and IT-Enabled Services (ITES)
• Financial Technology (FinTech)
• Healthcare
• Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce)
• Marketing and Advertising 
• Media and Entertainment 
• Manufacturing
• Sports 
• Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) 

In the technology sector, the biggest employers of data science professionals are software companies, tech startups, and IT firms. Companies in the BFSI and the FinTech sectors increasingly use data science for risk management, customer analytics, and fraud detection. In the healthcare sector, the most prominent employers are hospitals, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies. 

Why a PGCP is the Finest Way to Upskill in Data Science

The following table enumerates the top jobs that you can land after completing the course and the annual average salaries that you can receive in these jobs.

Job Role	Annual Average Salary
Data Architect	INR 31.6L
Software Architect	INR 30L
AI Engineer	INR 17.4L
Data Scientist	INR 11.3L
Big Data Engineer	INR 11.3L
Business Analyst	INR 8L
Predictive Modeler	INR 8L
Data Analyst	INR 6L
Statistician	INR 5L

Online PGCP in Data Science from MAHE

The 12-month online PGCP in Data Science program from MAHE makes it worthwhile for you in several ways. For starters, this course available on the Online Manipal platform offers you a flexible learning structure, access to expert faculty, an industry-relevant curriculum, and a strong alumni network. It equips you with data science knowledge and skills that are in high demand now and will be so in the future as well. This helps you prosper forever in a domain like data science that is growing at the rate of knots. 

Conclusion

Thus, as you can see for yourself, a PGCP in data science is the best way to upskill in this particular subject. This is because this is a program with a focused and practical approach. It also helps that this is affordable and can help you get a competitive edge in the job market. PGCPs also place a strong emphasis on real-world case studies and datasets. This factor makes them ideal for people who are looking to apply the concepts of data science straight away to actual problems. Since the field of data science is growing quickly, these advantages become rather valuable indeed! 

FAQs

1. Is a PGCP in data science worth it for non-tech professionals?

Yes, a PGCP in data science can be a worthy investment for non-tech professionals who are looking to change their careers.

2. Can I pursue a PGCP in data science while working full-time?

Yes, you can always study a PGCP in data science while working full-time.

3. What tools and languages will I learn in a PGCP in data science?

In a PGCP in data science, you will learn programming languages like Python, R, and Structured Query Language (SQL). You will also learn tools such as Hadoop, Spark, and Power Business Intelligence (BI) and Tableau for data visualization. 

4. How long does it take to complete a PGCP in data science?

A PGCP in data science usually takes between 6 months and a year to complete, much like a postgraduate diploma (PGD) in the same subject.

5. What are the career prospects after completing a PGCP?

The top jobs that you can land after completing a PGCP in data science may be enumerated as follows:

• Data Scientist
• Data Analyst
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Data Engineer

6. Does Online PGCP from MAHE offer job assistance?

Yes, you do get job assistance if you study the online PGCP in data science from MAHE. This includes career services such as resume building, placement support, and interview preparation.