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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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[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] Coworkers discuss the roles of data science vs. computer science in determining company processes and decisions.
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Data Science vs. Computer Science: What’s the Difference?

Both data science and computer science are prominent technology fields today. Discover the similarities and differences between data science vs. computer science.

April 10, 2026

Article

[Featured image] A smiling businesswoman in a white suit holds a laptop displaying a pie graph as she and her colleague stand in an office and discuss big data vs. small data.
Status: Featured

Big Data vs. Small Data: What’s the Difference?

Explore the distinct worlds of big data versus small data, including what they are and why companies benefit from them. Discover how they contrast and complement each other in the digital age.

June 10, 2026

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.

May 31, 2026

Article

[Featured image] A data scientist points to a large monitor displaying charts that visually represent data.

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.

May 6, 2026

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.

October 13, 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.

May 31, 2026

Article

[Featured image] A data scientist points to a large monitor displaying charts that visually represent data.

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.

May 6, 2026

Article

Build foundational data science skills

IBM

Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Dashboard Creation, Dashboard, Data Presentation, Plotly, Data Visualization Software, Web Scraping, SQL, Plot (Graphics), Unsupervised Learning, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Cleansing, Supervised Learning, Jupyter, Data Literacy, Exploratory Data Analysis, Generative AI, Professional Networking, Data Visualization, Python Programming

4.6 stars, 151K reviews, Beginner, Professional Certificate, 3 - 6 Months
Status: Recently updated

DeepLearning.AI

Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Bayesian Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Probability & Statistics, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Methods, Probability Distribution, Linear Algebra, Statistical Inference, Statistics, A/B Testing, Statistical Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Probability, Calculus, Dimensionality Reduction, Exploratory Data Analysis, Machine Learning, Python Programming, Artificial Neural Networks

4.6 stars, 3.3K reviews, Intermediate, Specialization, 1 - 3 Months
Status: Bestseller

University of California, Davis

Skills you'll gain: Presentations, Data Governance, SQL, Data Presentation, Apache Spark, Distributed Computing, Descriptive Statistics, Data Lakes, Data Storytelling, Peer Review, Data Quality, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Pipelines, Statistical Analysis, Data Warehousing, Data Access, Data Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Performance Tuning, JSON

4.6 stars, 17K reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 1 - 3 Months
Status: Trending right now
[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.

November 1, 2025

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.

October 14, 2026

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 2026 Guide

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

July 13, 2026

Article

[Featured image] A data science major 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.

October 15, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] Two workers discuss statistical modeling while looking at 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.

May 30, 2026

Article

[Featured Image] A person 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.

April 10, 2026

Article

[Featured Image] A person works at a computer.

How to Choose a Data Science Boot Camp

A data science boot camp is an intensive, immersive program designed to help you prepare for a career in data science. Explore how to choose the right data science boot camp for you.

October 21, 2026

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 2026

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

February 27, 2026

Article

[Featured image] A data analyst wearing a yellow tank top and eyeglasses sits in front of a laptop in an office analyzing Python vs. R.

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.

June 27, 2026

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.

October 13, 2025

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.

November 1, 2025

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.

October 14, 2026

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 2026 Guide

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

July 13, 2026

Article

[Featured image] A data science major 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.

October 15, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] Two workers discuss statistical modeling while looking at 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.

May 30, 2026

Article

[Featured Image] A person 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.

April 10, 2026

Article

[Featured Image] A person works at a computer.

How to Choose a Data Science Boot Camp

A data science boot camp is an intensive, immersive program designed to help you prepare for a career in data science. Explore how to choose the right data science boot camp for you.

October 21, 2026

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 2026

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

February 27, 2026

Article

[Featured image] A data analyst wearing a yellow tank top and eyeglasses sits in front of a laptop in an office analyzing Python vs. R.

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.

June 27, 2026

Article

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. Explore these free resources as you start your data science career: 

Ready to start learning? Explore our catalog of data science courses for beginners or accelerate your career growth with a Coursera Plus subscription. When you enroll in either the monthly or annual option, you’ll get access to over 10,000 courses.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

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*US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Data Scientists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm.” Accessed September 18, 2025.