With Big Data becoming prevalent in every industry, the demand for individuals who can work in this field is growing exponentially. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of talent, which forces employers to hunt around for candidates with suitable Big Data skills. You can take advantage of this opportunity to establish a successful career in Big Data. And, a good place to start is by honing your skills and obtaining one or more Big Data certifications.
These certifications compare your knowledge against IT industry standards and vendor benchmarks to demonstrate to potential employers that you’re the perfect fit for the job.
Which certifications effectively bridge the gap between the supply and demand for qualified Big Data professionals? Glad you asked because we’ve got the answers.
Amazon Web Services Big Data specialty certification
Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers five certifications, which are divided into two separate categories — specialty-based and role. The coveted Big Data certifications fall under the former and are acquired by candidates who showcase their talents in the AWS ecosystem.
The test determines whether you’re capable of extracting value out of a Big Data dataset and then automating the process. So, your reputation as a Big Data professional hangs in the balance.
But before you can appear for the certification examination, you must meet certain criteria. For starters, you must hold an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certificate, or an associate level certification as an AWS Certified Developer, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator, or an AWS Certified Solutions Architect.
Moreover, you must have a minimum of five years’ experience in analytics and data, a thorough understanding of how Amazon Web Services technologies impact the data lifecycle, and suitable experience creating data-processing architecture. The test itself is three-hour long and consists of multiple choice questions.
Microsoft Certified Solutions expert — data management and analytics
This is one of the numerous programs offered by Microsoft as part of its Certified Solutions course and focuses on Big Data.
Before you can appear for nine examinations, however, you must first have an MCSA in SQL Server 2012/2014, or an MCSA in BI Development, Database Development, Machine Learning, and SQL 2016 Database Administration.
The tests are offered via Pearson VUE, a testing organization that offers exams at both physical and online locations. You must choose and pass one test among 12 available examinations ranging from Implementing a Data Warehouse using SQL to Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server.
MongoDB certifications
MongoDB is one of the most well-known NoSQL technologies and offers two certifications – the MongoDB Developer Associate and the Mongo Database Administrator Associate. Both certifications are perfect for candidates who wish to spend their careers working on NoSQL databases.
With the Mongo Database Administrator, you are certified to use the company’s popular open source database management system and gain value out of data with a loose structure.
The Developer Associate certifications will help potential employers realize your skills when it comes to crafting Mongo-based applications.
All data is stored in documents but you need to complete the training course if you want to access the information and ace the test.
Plus, when you register for the examination, you receive a free study guide that helps you study on your own. Each of the tests is either online or location-based and consists of one multiple-choice paper.
SAS Big Data certification
This certification from SAS, the software megavendor, gives you the license to work with their BI software. The company offers prep courses, which are a combination of blended learning and classroom formats. According to SAS, candidates must complete six months of SAS or other programming language to qualify for the test.
You can appear for the test either online or in-person. and pass both the Big Data Programming and Loading, and Big Data Exploration, Statistics, and Visual Exploration.
Microsoft Azure certification exam 70-475
Aspirants who are interested in working with Big Data on the MS Azure platform should take Exam 70-475, also known as “Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions.”
This test encompasses three unique areas — designing Big Data real-time processing solutions, designing Big Data batch interactive and processing solutions, and managing end-to-end cloud analytics systems. Ideally, you should have sufficient work experience before opting to appear for the examination through Pearson VUE.
Oracle business intelligence foundation suite 11g essentials certification
If you want to prove your skills in the newest business intelligence software, then this certification from software conglomerate Oracle is for you.
There are no prerequisites for this particular examination, but it’d be a salient idea to appear for Oracle’s 11g bootcamp course beforehand. Pearson VUE hosts the test in person at designated test centers and it consists of only one paper, the 1Z0-591. Candidates get two hours to answer 75 multiple-choice questions. A minimum 63 percent is needed to pass the test.
Cloudera certified associate administrator
This certification is given to individuals who’ve demonstrated cluster admin and core systems skills needed by companies deploying Cloudera in the organization.
The test determines if a candidate has a proper understanding of the installation process for Cloudera Hadoop, Cloudera Manager, and the ecosystem projects. He/she must be capable of performing simple and advanced configuration, necessary for administering a Hadoop cluster effectively.
The candidate must also display his/her skill when it comes to maintaining and modifying the cluster to support everyday operations within the enterprise.
A Cloudera certified associate administrator must be able to benchmark the cluster operational metrics and figure out system configuration to achieve optimum efficiency and operation.
Apart from that, they must exhibit sufficient skill in troubleshooting and locating the main cause of the issue, resolving resource contention scenarios, and optimizing inefficient execution.
To prepare for this test, it’s a judicious idea to appear for the Cloudera Administrator Training as it follows many similar objectives. The exam needs to be completed by the candidate within a span of 120 minutes.
Big Data certifications: More money for you
The popularity of Big Data in different industries has led to the emergence of new job positions in the IT industry. Given the high demand for Big Data skills, it’s a substantial idea to get certified so you can take your career to the next level.
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