Data Category Archives - General Assembly Blog

Mastering Data Analyst Skills for Future Success

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data analyst smiling in front of whiteboard

In today’s interconnected world where information reigns supreme, strong data skills are a powerful lever for professional success, opening doors across diverse roles and industries. As 2024 gets underway, there’s never been a more opportune moment to embark on a new career path or elevate your current role. 

The question remains: which data skills do you need, and how can you acquire them quickly and effectively? 

Let’s take a closer look.

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4 Ways to Build a Data-Driven Culture

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Two men and a woman sit in a business lounge area having a discussion about making data-driven decisions.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

What do ship captains and business leaders have in common? 

They both need to navigate through stormy and calm seas, constantly charting course across uncertain and hostile waters. While captains often turn to their maps, radars, and compasses, business leaders need to turn to their data.

Data helps you nail down the strategic plan for achieving your business objectives. Data keeps you on course. And data enables you to change course when needed. 

But here’s the thing — your business is a large vessel with multiple departments (like a large luxury liner) that must succeed in their respective journeys. One misstep in one department could affect your overall company journey. 

All departments must know how to handle their chief navigation equipment — data.

When data-driven decision-making becomes a company-wide practice, it positions your business for sustainable success. Data-driven companies are 58% more likely to exceed their revenue goals. 

So, how do you cultivate a culture where every department leverages data to succeed in their roles? And have everyone collectively steering your organization towards its goals? Let’s find out.

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A Breakdown Of Data Science Vs. Computer Science: History, Applications, and Career Paths

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Article reviewed by: Shilpa Sindhe

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Estimated reading time: 9 minutes


Trying to wrap your head around the difference between data science and computer science? 

Many of the luxuries that we have today — a favorite streaming service that recommends new movies, the ability to unlock our phones with facial recognition technology, or virtual home assistants that let us play our favorite music just by speaking — are made possible by computer science and made better by data science.

Today, these two fields complement each other to further applications of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and business forecasting. Read on to learn a definition of each, their histories and applications, and career paths in computer science and data science. 

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Data And AI: Best Friends Or Foes Of The Future?

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Estimated reading time: 5 minutes


If you work in data, chances are you’re hearing a lot of buzz about AI and how it’s going to automate everything. While the headlines spell doom and gloom for knowledge worker roles like yours, the reality isn’t quite so dark. In fact, there won’t be any future of AI without people like you, who have the skills required to prepare and use data. 

Right now, AI adoption is in a strange phase. The media is telling you that you could be replaced by it, but your day-to-day probably hasn’t changed all that much. You might be thinking that this all seems like a bunch of hype… and you wouldn’t be wrong. That’s because most companies’ use of AI is still in its infancy. 

While 94% of companies say they are using AI today, most aren’t using it to its full potential. They’re struggling with data quality and infrastructure issues that make layering on AI nearly impossible. In the same study, almost three quarters of execs said that data issues would be the most likely reason they fail to achieve their AI goals. As it turns out, even a robot can’t make lemonade out of bad data. 

This is where you, and your skills, step in to save the day. And you’re in higher demand than ever before. There’s been a 2,000% surge in roles requiring AI skills, such as data science and data analytics

Before you breathe a sigh of relief, it’s important to recognize that your skills will need to evolve for an AI-led future. Let’s dig into exactly how. 

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5 Hottest Emerging Tech Jobs So Far in 2023

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Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Discover how technology offers a world of exciting new job roles and demands specialized expertise. Whether you’re seeking a career change or aiming to elevate your skills, this article reveals the path to a promising future.


As technology evolves, new job roles are emerging every day. Professionals who have the right expertise are in high demand. If you are looking for a career change or to level up your skill set, these rapidly growing opportunities could be your path forward.

As economic concerns persist, you might be wondering: is now really the right time to jump into something new? A report from CompTIA found that despite the noise around tech layoffs, jobs in the tech sector will actually grow by 3% in 2023 (that’s 286,400 new jobs). Another study from CBRE found that tech workers in the US have increased 11.4% since 2020, a further indication that the tech industry’s hiring slowdown hasn’t impacted the growth of technical roles overall. 

Every company is a tech company today, and demand for talent that can wrangle data, design immersive experiences, and write code continues to rise. New technologies are evolving rapidly. The time to get your foot in the door is now. As more companies invest in areas like AI and immersive experiences, demand for talent with relevant skills will surge. 

So what exactly are the hottest emerging tech jobs? Let’s break down the roles, the job descriptions, what skills you’ll need, and potential salary. 

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Everything You Need to Know About Python: A Beginners Guide to The Best Programming Language to Learn First

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Do you know which programming language powers NASA, Instagram, YouTube, and Netflix? Meet Python. According to the TIOBE Index, Python passed Java and C in 2022 to become the most popular programming language worldwide. Developers everywhere love Python for its versatility, simple syntax, and extensive frameworks.

It’s also the fastest-growing, according to the Popularity of Programming Languages (PYPL) Index. PYPL found that Python dominated 28% of searches for programming tutorials on Google in 2023, a rise of 23% in the past five years.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the advantages of Python and why it’s a great first programming language for beginners to learn. We’ll also share real-world examples of Python applications and the best ways to learn Python. 

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Afrofuturism & The Future of Tech: 4 Ways to Join the Movement

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Juneteenth holds significant historical importance as it commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black people and African Americans in the United States. Juneteenth serves as a reminder of the long-fought struggle for freedom and equality, highlighting the resilience and perseverance of Black individuals throughout history, acknowledging the progress made and the ongoing work needed for racial justice.

Afrofuturism emerges as a remarkable accomplishment within the Black community, as it combines African diasporas, science fiction, and technology to envision inclusive and empowering futures. Afrofuturism celebrates Black imagination, resilience, and creativity, offering a platform to challenge stereotypes and envision a more inclusive and equitable world. By embracing these cultural movements and celebrating Black heritage, society can strive towards a more equitable and inclusive future for all.

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Chart Your Course: Which General Assembly Class Is Right for You?

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Whether you’re making the leap into a career change, or leveling up your current skill set to land that next promotion, you might be wondering if an online coding bootcamp is right for you. The good news is that General Assembly offers a range of beginner-friendly class formats (from full-time immersives to flexible, part-time schedules), and we have a course that will fit your specific career path and interests. 

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Top 5 Industries Hiring Data Analysts and Data Scientists

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Without data, humans make decisions based on intuition. However, we don’t make very good decisions with our gut. That’s because as humans we have our emotions, unconscious biases, and gaps in information to contend with. 

Everyone makes better decisions with data. For a business, poor leadership decisions can be incredibly costly. But companies don’t just need to collect data—they need professionals who can analyze and interpret it. That’s where data analysts and data scientists come in. 

Glassdoor and U.S. News & World Report have both named data scientist among their best jobs based on salary, job satisfaction, and career opportunities. Data analysts earn a median base salary of $66,370 in the U.S., while data scientists earn $103,525 on average. If you’re ready to jump into your first data analyst entry-level job, read on for how to break in and the top industries hiring data analysts and data scientists

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