As a self-taught data analyst, I have studied (and confused myself with😂) a lot of online courses but all FOR FREE. In this post I am going to share how I found opportunities to study for free among other things I hope you find relevant.
Data related courses and bootcamps are not hard to find at all. Once you get into that circle, it almost becomes a little annoying. That’s why you need a plan and discipline to follow through.
My Journey with Self-Studying
Excel from YouTube
YouTube needs no introduction. I think I shouldn’t even bother writing too much . My only advice will be to find tutorials where the Excel knowledge is being applied to a dataset, with the data available for you to work alongside and practice afterwards.
P.S. It is probably going to take more than a couple of videos till you get the hang of it but rest assured, everyone is still learning. Most people I know visit Google all the time for Excel assistance. The trick is to know what to do and when to do it and then you can find out how to do it.
Africa Skills Hub – Introduction to Data Analytics
A friend of mine sent a flyer about this to me to apply to.
Tip: Let people know what you do/what you want to do. There are opportunities that you may possibly never see but will be circulating in the network of friends or colleagues. Once people know what you are pursuing, it is easier for them to refer these opportunities to you when they come by them. I have been sent numerous opportunities, some of which were not even a good fit but better to receive and reject than not receive at all.
At Africa Skills Hub, I sat in a class with other young women pursuing Analytics as we were introduced to Data Analytics with Excel. This was really a good foundation for me. One Excel function I’ll never forget being taught is the DATEDIF() function. Thank you!
GhLA & COL - Coursera
As part of mobilizing the cohort at Africa Skills Hub, a platform on Whatsapp was created. In the same group the GhLA & COL -Coursera opportunity was posted by one of the ladies. I applied and got unlimited access to over 4000 courses on Coursera for six months.
Tip: Take networking seriously. By virtue of being a part of that community, I had access to this opportunity. I particularly hold people who share opportunities on their socials in very high esteem – You save lives!
GhLA x Google x Coursera
I stayed subscribed to Ghana Library Authority and got exposed to another opportunity to take the Google Data Analytics course for free! This was really big for me. Thank you, Ghana Library Authority!
Udacity x Microsoft
Earlier this year, another friend sent me an opportunity that Udacity and Microsoft were offering in Data Analysis and Vizualization – a whole NanoDegree! For free! As bonus, I got a coupon to take the Microsoft Power Bi Data Analyst certification on Microsoft for free. Kudos to my friends who always send me these opportunities, I’ll remember you all when I make it 😉😎🤣.
DataCamp x Ingressive for Good
This one! I had previously taken a few of the free introductory courses on DataCamp and I loved loved loved the User Interface and just how the courses were taught. So I set out to find a scholarship to upgrade my studies on the platform. I searched Twitter, LinkedIn – basically everywhere I could search. No luck. It was either the deadlines had long passed or the opportunities were not available for Ghanaian participants. I came by Ingressive for Good on LinkedIn and yes, the deadline for that had elapsed as well. However, I signed up to their platform and got added to their mailing list. When I received the opportunity for this in my mail, trust me – I jumped on it with the speed of lightning👯♀️. I completed the Data Analyst Career Track on DataCamp! Ingressive for Good – Superstars!
Tips:
Dedicate time and effort into joining/building a network and participating in community activities. This may be a little difficult especially if you work full time but yeah – effort. It will pay off.
Be transparent about your progress and your aspirations. You never know where a recommendation or opportunity will come from.
Have a plan for your studies and tailor the opportunities you get to that plan. Otherwise you are going to be applying to just anything and sometimes even getting accepted into programmes do not even remotely belong to your trajectory. You waste your time and also take up a spot that would’ve helped someone else.
“I am excited to announce that I have completed xxx Course from xxx” – when you see this, let the cat in you arise, be curious!(was that lame?🙈😂). Do your research on the organization that offered this, sign up even if there are no available opportunities at the time. Go get it!
Lastly, take it easy. Learning can be stressful. Feel free to modify your study plan but don’t lose sight of your goal.
In the spirit of sharing, please feel free to add share any learning opportunities you have in the comments section. Thankssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.😍
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