Cogent University started with the mission of training the next generation of developers and bridging the skills gap in America’s tech industry. A decade since its inception, Cogent University has trained over 700 graduates and placed them across multiple industries, from IT and manufacturing to fintech and retail.
And it’s not stopping there. Cogent University is working on furthering its goal of producing skilled tech professionals. This year, it introduced a new course that tackles another job role essential in tech: data analytics.
If you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of data and attain job-ready skills, find out why Cogent University’s newly launched Data Analytics Program is a great first step toward your goal.
Cogent University’s Data Analytics Program teaches essential skills such as data cleaning, preparation, and visualization that can help you get job-ready within weeks.
Apply to Cogent University today.Why Become a Data Analyst?
Data analysis is the science of generating key insights from raw, unstructured data. It uses several tools, plus mathematical, programming, and statistical techniques to discover patterns and trends in large data sets.
With such insights, businesses can transform their customer experience, optimize their operations to build better client-business relationships, and make innovative data-driven decisions that foster business growth.
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban, once said information is power, particularly when the competition ignores the opportunity to do the same. It’s no surprise that data analysts are highly sought after by employers and key decision-makers. According to The Economic Times, 96 percent of companies will hire a data analyst in 2022.
Because of the growing demand for data analysts and their contribution to decision-making teams, this is a high-paying career path. There is also the flexibility that these roles entail, especially when considering remote data analyst jobs. At the time of writing, there were over 45,000 remote analytics jobs on LinkedIn.
A Review of Cogent University’s Data Analytics Bootcamp
Cogent University has always been keen on teaching in-demand and industry-relevant skills. Based on Cogent’s analysis, many data analytics courses available do not adequately provide the technical and practical balance required of an excellent data analyst.
In response, Cogent University curated the Data Analytics Bootcamp to groom people into becoming well-rounded data analysts with a solid foundation in the analytics field.
The Data Analytics Program is an eight-week-long fully remote program. Below you will find a list of what makes Cogent University’s Data Analytics Bootcamp stand out among others.
Hands-on Learning Led by Highly Experienced Faculty
Cogent’s lessons are such that students are actively involved in the entire learning process. Typical of Cogent University’s programs, it uses cutting-edge technology and a hands-on learning model that trains them to solve unique business problems. To deepen their understanding, students are required to complete several take-home projects and practice problems.
The classes are interactive and led by brilliant faculty members with vast teaching and professional experience. For example, instructor Nitin Saraswat is a former senior manager at Bank of America and a senior data scientist with over 15 years of industry experience.
Guaranteed Job Placement
Cogent University’s value proposition relies heavily on the job guarantee. It assures that nearly all graduates find work in the field, with a preference for high-paying data analyst jobs. To achieve that, career coaches provide training support to graduates and help them with resume building, interview preparation, and job placements.
A dedicated team schedules one-on-one sessions with graduates to identify their job preferences, and then it moves on to seek jobs that fit the students’ interests. That entirely takes away the students’ burden of conducting their own job search. According to Cogent University, many of their graduates find jobs in tech, retail, telecom, manufacturing, and financial services industries.
Zero-Dollar Upfront Cost
The Data Analytics Bootcamp comes with a zero-dollar tuition price tag, effectively removing the financial barrier that often comes between people and their dream careers. In place of the upfront payment option, Cogent University provides an Income Share Agreement (ISA).
The Income Share Agreement plan is recognized industry-wide as an alternative tuition payment option. With this plan, students can get the training they need without having to pay up front. Students will only pay back the tuition cost after they get a job.
The payment will be made monthly over a given window and will be equivalent to a fixed percentage of their starting salary. This means that there will be no extra charges even if a student receives a salary hike.
Cogent University’s Data Analytics Curriculum: What Will You Learn?
The Data Analytics course curriculum includes a structured arrangement of in-demand topics and analysis tools, such as Python, data wrangling, and data visualization. The curriculum splits into five learning modules comprising several case studies and a capstone project.
Module 1: Structured Approach to Solving Business Problems
This module teaches students how to approach business problems as a data analytics consultant. They will learn the seven steps to solving problems, plus how to create logic trees, decision trees, and hypothesis trees. The module will also introduce students to statistical analysis and machine learning, their relevance, and their application.
Module 2: Data Pull and Wrangling with MS Excel, Python, and Alteryx
Students will be introduced to essential analytics tools and languages, including MySQL, Python, Microsoft Excel, and Alteryx. At the end of this module, students will master Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS), plus financial data analysis and modeling using Python. They will also learn to use Alteryx to connect various backend systems and create ETL workflows.
Module 3: Mathematical and Statistical Foundations of Solving Business Problems
The third module dives deeper into various data analytics concepts and tools. Here, students will learn to apply appropriate analysis to different types of data sets. They will also learn hypothesis testing, time series analysis, and data visualization with Excel and Python packages like Numpy, Scipy, and Matplotlib.
Module 4: Quantitative Modeling and A/B Testing
The fourth module stretches about 40 hours, covering topics like financial models, A/B testing, and digital analytics. At the end of this section, students will understand quantitative modeling, array formulae, table, and random number generation in Excel. Students will also learn to build cash flow models and understand visitor behaviors with A/B testing.
Module 5: Data Visualization Using Tableau and Python
The final module dwells significantly on building compelling visualizations and presentations. Students will learn to master Tableau architecture and visualization tools. They will learn to integrate multiple backends, build dashboards for effective user engagement, and tell a story with analyzed data.
The Capstone Project
After completing the modules, students will be required to complete a capstone project where they will employ all they have learned to solve a real-world business problem. This will help sharpen their skills, prepare them for the tech industry, and boost their portfolios. Students will conduct end-to-end analysis on selected data sets and present their findings using the various techniques they learned in the bootcamp.
How to Apply for Cogent University’s Data Analytics Program
Cogent University’s Data Analytics Program was designed with a specific target audience in mind: recent college graduates in whatever specialization and experienced professionals looking to switch careers. Applicants will also need to be curious and passionate about data analytics and problem-solving to get through the application process.
The application into the Data Analytics Program involves three steps: the eligibility test, a technical assessment, and an interview with the admissions director.
Step 1: The Eligibility Test
Cogent University has several prerequisites that students must meet to qualify as eligible candidates. They must:
- Be well-read with at least a bachelor’s degree in any specialization
- Be proficient with high-school level mathematics
- Be willing to learn entry-level programming languages and skills
- Have excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Have excellent organizational skills
- Have a valid US work permit
If you meet the requirements above, you may proceed to fill out an application form and submit your application. The form will collect information like your name, email address, phone number, and your highest level of education. Upon submission, a Cogent University representative will contact you to schedule a test.
Step 2: The Aptitude Test
The aptitude test is a two-hour online assessment that evaluates students’ critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Students must correctly answer several STEM and logic questions. That said, you do not need a background in programming languages or analytics to ace this test. The key is to practice with similar questions, follow instructions closely, and learn proper time management.
Step 3: The Personal Interview
Candidates who have succeeded at the aptitude test will receive an invitation for an interview with Cogent University’s director of admissions. The goal of this interview is to ensure the applicants understand the rigorous nature of the bootcamp and assess the candidate’s teamwork and communication skills. This is also an excellent point to ask questions and make clarifications about the data analytics programs.
Be One of Cogent University’s First Data Analysts
In a recent report, The World Economic Forum named data and AI occupations the top emerging career paths in 2022. That suggests the numerous opportunities and relative job security that data careers provide. PayScale reports the average annual salary of entry-level jobs for data analysts in the US to be $62,610, and that rises significantly higher with senior data analysts’ roles.
Though data analytics offers several lucrative opportunities, you will need proper training and lots of support to build a strong foundation in this field and enhance your skill level. That is where Cogent University comes in.
The training equips you with skills that meet recent industry demands, and the job placement team ensures that you are geared toward a successful career. Going by Cogent University’s outcomes, the school boasts a 97 percent job placement rate.
Furthermore, the bootcamp hosts a diverse and supportive community of learners and alumni. With such an environment, career switchers can have a soft landing into tech. You will also have the opportunity to work on several hands-on projects and learn through innovative online learning platforms.
Considering the numerous offerings the program presents, there’s no reason not to try your hand at Cogent University’s Data Analytics Bootcamp. Submit your application today.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
