Start Your Data Scientist Career

Data scientists collect, analyze, and decipher data to identify insights that help organizations improve their decision making. Learn how to get started in this high-paying, in-demand profession* with these entry-level data science resources.

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[Featured image] A data scientist is looking at a computer monitor and thinking as they stand in their office space.
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What Is a Data Scientist? Salary, Skills, and How to Become One

A data scientist uses data to understand and explain the phenomena around them. With the deluge of big data in our increasingly digital world, data scientists often help organisations make better decisions.

February 8, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A data scientist wearing glasses and a striped shirt working in front of several computer monitors.
Status: Featured

How to Become an Data Scientist Without a Degree

Learn about how to become a data scientist without a degree, including ways to develop the necessary skills and other important steps to take.

April 2, 2024

Article

[Video Thumbnail] 7 Must-Have Data Science Skills
Status: Featured

7 Must-Have Skills for Becoming a Data Scientist [VIDEO]

Dreaming of a career in data science? It's a hot field with high demand and even higher salaries, but it requires a unique blend of technical expertise and soft skills.

January 23, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] Two data scientists work together on a desktop computer.

Data Science in Business Guide: Benefits, Uses, and More

Explore the benefits of using data science in business. Learn about certifications you can achieve in data science and how to apply them to your business.

November 7, 2022

Article

[Featured image] Data scientist displays charts and graphs that visually represent data on a computer screen

7 Skills Every Data Scientist Should Have

The essential skills that you should have if you’re thinking about a career as a data scientist.

October 20, 2022

Article

[FEATURED IMAGE] Two data science professionals perform their data science jobs, looking at a desktop computer in an office.

Data Science Jobs: Resources and Career Guide

Learn about jobs in data science and find resources for your next career move.

July 22, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] Two data scientists work together on a desktop computer.

Data Science in Business Guide: Benefits, Uses, and More

Explore the benefits of using data science in business. Learn about certifications you can achieve in data science and how to apply them to your business.

November 7, 2022

Article

[Featured image] Data scientist displays charts and graphs that visually represent data on a computer screen

7 Skills Every Data Scientist Should Have

The essential skills that you should have if you’re thinking about a career as a data scientist.

October 20, 2022

Article

Build foundational data science skills

Status: Free Trial

IBM

Skills you'll gain: Data Import/Export, Programming Principles, Web Scraping, Python Programming, Jupyter, Data Structures, Data Processing, Pandas (Python Package), Data Manipulation, JSON, Computer Programming, Restful API, NumPy, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Scripting, Application Programming Interface (API), Automation, Data Analysis

4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
42K reviews

Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills

IBM

Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Wrangling, Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Data Visualization, SQL, Unsupervised Learning, Plotly, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Transformation, Supervised Learning, Jupyter, Data Analysis, Data Cleansing, Data Manipulation, Data Literacy, Data Mining, Generative AI, Professional Networking, Data Import/Export

Build toward a degree

4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
145K reviews

Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Status: Free Trial

Johns Hopkins University

Skills you'll gain: Shiny (R Package), Rmarkdown, Exploratory Data Analysis, Regression Analysis, Leaflet (Software), Version Control, Statistical Analysis, R Programming, Data Manipulation, Data Cleansing, Data Science, Statistical Inference, Predictive Modeling, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Wrangling, Data Visualization, Machine Learning Algorithms, Plotly, Machine Learning, GitHub

4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
51K reviews

Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

[Featured Image] A data scientist degree student studies on a laptop.

8 Jobs You Can Get with a Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science

There are many opportunities worth exploring once you’ve graduated with your bachelor’s degree in data science.

June 30, 2022

Article

[Feature image] Person examining data on two separate devices.

Data Science vs. Machine Learning: What’s the Difference?

What is the difference between data science and machine learning? Which potential career path is right for you? Find out more here.

June 6, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A worker makes copies at a copier in an office setting for their data science internship.

How to Land a Data Science Internship: Your 2025 Guide

You can gain professional experience with a data science internship. Learn more about what you can do to find one with this guide.

April 28, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A data science student in a blue shirt and holding goggles works on a computer.

Data Science Major: What You Need to Know Before Declaring

The rise of big data has created more demand for data science careers and degrees. If you’re considering a data science major, find out what you need to know before declaring.

April 26, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A man and woman discuss data on a chart.

What Is Statistical Modeling?

Statistical modeling is like a formal depiction of a theory. It is typically described as the mathematical relationship between random and non-random variables.

April 25, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A man works on a laptop at an office table.

What Is Data Wrangling? Definition, Steps, and Why It Matters

Data wrangling is an important piece of the data analysis process. Learn what it is and why it matters.

March 8, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A woman works at a computer.

How to Choose a Data Science Boot Camp

A data science boot camp is an intensive and immersive program designed to prepare you for a job in the field of data science. Some programs take only a few months, and they can help you prepare for some of the most in-demand jobs in the US.

February 22, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A person stands outside a building holding a to-go coffee and listening to a podcast on their phone.

17 Data Science Podcasts to Listen to in 2025

Find your next data science listen from this list of current podcasts.

June 30, 2021

Article

[Featured image] A data analyst wearing a yellow tank top and eyeglasses sits in front of a laptop in an office writing a statistical analysis program.

Python or R for Data Analysis: Which Should You Learn?

Is it better to learn R or Python for a career as a data analyst? Learn more about how to choose the best statistical programming language for your career goals.

April 16, 2021

Article

[FEATURED IMAGE] Two data science professionals perform their data science jobs, looking at a desktop computer in an office.

Data Science Jobs: Resources and Career Guide

Learn about jobs in data science and find resources for your next career move.

July 22, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A data scientist degree student studies on a laptop.

8 Jobs You Can Get with a Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science

There are many opportunities worth exploring once you’ve graduated with your bachelor’s degree in data science.

June 30, 2022

Article

[Feature image] Person examining data on two separate devices.

Data Science vs. Machine Learning: What’s the Difference?

What is the difference between data science and machine learning? Which potential career path is right for you? Find out more here.

June 6, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A worker makes copies at a copier in an office setting for their data science internship.

How to Land a Data Science Internship: Your 2025 Guide

You can gain professional experience with a data science internship. Learn more about what you can do to find one with this guide.

April 28, 2022

Article

[Featured image] A data science student in a blue shirt and holding goggles works on a computer.

Data Science Major: What You Need to Know Before Declaring

The rise of big data has created more demand for data science careers and degrees. If you’re considering a data science major, find out what you need to know before declaring.

April 26, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A man and woman discuss data on a chart.

What Is Statistical Modeling?

Statistical modeling is like a formal depiction of a theory. It is typically described as the mathematical relationship between random and non-random variables.

April 25, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A man works on a laptop at an office table.

What Is Data Wrangling? Definition, Steps, and Why It Matters

Data wrangling is an important piece of the data analysis process. Learn what it is and why it matters.

March 8, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A woman works at a computer.

How to Choose a Data Science Boot Camp

A data science boot camp is an intensive and immersive program designed to prepare you for a job in the field of data science. Some programs take only a few months, and they can help you prepare for some of the most in-demand jobs in the US.

February 22, 2022

Article

[Featured Image] A person stands outside a building holding a to-go coffee and listening to a podcast on their phone.

17 Data Science Podcasts to Listen to in 2025

Find your next data science listen from this list of current podcasts.

June 30, 2021

Article

[Featured image] A data analyst wearing a yellow tank top and eyeglasses sits in front of a laptop in an office writing a statistical analysis program.

Python or R for Data Analysis: Which Should You Learn?

Is it better to learn R or Python for a career as a data analyst? Learn more about how to choose the best statistical programming language for your career goals.

April 16, 2021

Article

Data scientists use a variety of techniques – from straightforward statistics to cutting-edge machine learning – to answer novel questions and equip organizations with actionable insights that improve their decision-making. As a data scientist, you’ll use your knowledge of data concepts, tools, and structures to pose original research questions, build high-quality data sets, uncover trends and patterns, and communicate your insights to key stakeholders.

Learn more about Coursera and discover additional resources you can use to build foundational data science skills and expand your understanding of this fast-growing, in-demand* field: 

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

*US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Data Scientists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm.” Accessed February 2, 2024.