Correlation One

Correlation One offers an excellent combination of being purpose-driven and teaching methodology. 

As far as being purpose-driven, they are very sincere and passionate about making data science skills accessible to all, especially to communities that have been traditionally underserved. Natesh, one of the central driving forces of the program and the head instructor from Harvard, is one of the most inspirational instructors I have ever had. He is extremely down to earth so he makes the subject matter very accessible despite the subject matter being intimidating at times. He also builds a personal relationship with his students. Furthermore, he doesn't just teach hard, data-science skills; He also teaches life skills (e.g. how to overcome self doubt when learning). 

As far as the teaching methodology, it is excellent. Every DS4A day I full of lessons delivered into small digestible pieces that add up over time, so you never really feel like it's too much content at once. Furthermore, the lessons were sometimes divided into analytical and coding sessions, to help you isolate & drill certain skill sets that make you a good data scientist. 

Lastly, I'll say that the social value of this program was superb. I connected with my project teammates, becoming good friends along the way. The mentors were also very nice and helpful along with the guest lecturers--who were sometimes young professionals with very relatable personalities and experiences.

Great program! I highly recommend this to anyone who is serious about building data science skills! Read less

Take the leap of faith and apply to this challenging data science boot camp. This is one of the most rewarding and hardest accomplishments I've completed. Coming into the program with no tech experience I was supported by fellows, instructors, TA's , group study sessions, inspiring guest speakers, and mentors. Be prepared to dedicate the time and effort and gain invaluable knowledge and experience.  Read less

Just met a lot of amazing people and learned so much! It requires A LOT of work, but it was for sure one of the best learning experiences I had. The teachers are willing to explain in the simplest ways to make um you TRULY learn. I loved it. Only regret not having enough time to dedicate myself more because of work. Read less

DS4A has been a life-changing experience. What some people call a BootCamp or a school program, is in fact at least in my opinion, an ecosystem that empowers you to succeed in life. Regardless of the role you choose, after this program, you will be equipped to perform better analysis and make more informed decisions.

The program is very selective so make sure that if you apply, you have the time and the passion to make the best of it. The professors, Teacher Assistants, most students, and all the staff put a lot of effort into making this program an amazing experience so make sure you do your part as well.

Something I really loved is the hands-on experience from day 1. I had to take a 4 week BootCamp to improve/leverage my python skills, and it was challenging but rewarding so make sure to ask for help if you feel lost. As someone who is not used to it, this was hard but trust me when I say there's always someone willing to help you.

Besides the analytical and technical sessions, we were offered career development workshops, career fairs, and speaker series sessions with experts in different topics.

DS4A is an amazing program and if you have not applied yet, I would encourage you to do it right now.   Read less

The DS4A Program provided on of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life.  It pushed me to further develop my technical skills in the areas of SQL and Python.  It also helped refine my communication skills by working fully remote throughout the duration of the program.  The relationships I developed were very invaluable. Read less

Arguably the most challenging yet, most rewarding experience of my professional career. Was challenged to think beyond my comfort level and has changed the trajectory of career for the better. Because of what I’ve learned i’ve been exposed to new opportunities that I would’ve never been able to do. Read less

I highly recommend this program. The content, the guidance of the instructors and the spirit of the course are high level and makes the experience super comforting and the course really focus on how to get new and useful skills. Although my experience made that I already knew or had studied part of the course's content (because it's from the scratch), you can reap the benefits of the special lessons, the networking with people with a great tech background and both instructors and students eager to help you to get new knowledge. Read less

This is an absolutely amazing program! For those looking to break into or up-skill within the Data/Tech space, this program offers a the perfect "hands on" experience to start building or enhancing your Data career. Aside from the Data Science concepts and job placement functions, this program also provides top-tier networking opportunities, not just with your cohorts, but with professional mentors as well. Too many points to mention here, but its truly an amazing program, and I am so grateful that I was accepted into it!           Read less

I am very excited to have had the opportunity to complete the course and gain employment from what I learned. My personal experience cannot happen without the help of the instructors, TA's, volunteer mentors, and the supporting personnel who make every day during the program come together without issues. 

To be successful during the program, you must be curious and work outside your comfort zone. Curiosity and being able to self-learn will be some of the most abilities which will ensure your success. 

Read less

I had the honor of attending the Data Science for All / Empowerment (DS4A) program hosted by Correlation One. In it, individuals from underrepresented groups learned data science skills to apply to their careers. I appreciate that this program went beyond the standard boot-camp. We were assigned teaching assistants, meaning I had two data science professionals who answered my questions throughout the program. Additionally, I was mentored by two leaders in the tech field. Correlation One also hosts speakers who share their wisdom, career journeys, and answer and advice students and others who attend the sessions. As a result, I've been able to meet and learn from these individuals as well.
One thing I appreciate about my DS4A experience is that people from all walks of life were included. Young, old, women, men, etc. I really liked that there was no ageism in the program. Since completing DS4A, many of us stay in touch and continue to share advice and resources. As data science is a field that is constantly changing, we are still learning and growing together! Read less

- Excellent lectures and guest speakers from top universities and companies
- students ("fellows") are part of a large cohort so a great network to tap into
- smaller TA groups makes it easy to get help and 1on1 support
- project work makes it easy to get to know your team and gives you an opportunity apply your learnings to a real world challenge of your choice Read less

I mostly enjoyed the DS4A Empowerment program and personally recommended it to people in my network who I think would also benefit from it. One thing I liked a lot about DS4A is how they split the lessons into separate theory and coding portions. Data Science is not all about coding but I get the sense that most programs focus on coding without giving enough time to explain the fundamentals of understanding data and the best ways to analyze it. DS4A was not one of those programs. 

Some things to be prepared for is that since the program is still relatively new: it feels like they're still working on streamlining their application and other administrative processes. So sometimes you can get lost trying to determine when exactly what is due when, etc. Hopefully by the time you're applying or already in the program, that feedback will no longer be relevant, which I'm confident will be the case based on how much they ask for feedback and quickly implement changes. Another thing is that like most school programs, who is in your project group can greatly impact your experience. Luckily, I had an amazing, supportive team that made the program a rewarding experience and I hope you'll have one, too.

I could tell that DS4A also puts a lot of effort into their job and career assistance programs. However, when I joined the program, my focus wasn't on getting a new job, so I didn't participate in all of those related workshops and speaker series. So I shouldn't rate the quality of that aspect. Read less

The mission of C1 and its DS4A program is unique and will make an impact on the diversity of the DS field. The program includes subprograms; Prefoundational Python and Data Science. The program is very competitive. The quality and pace of the lectures, the expertise that the instructors and TAs offered, and the professional development and networking and career opportunities that C1 provided at NO COST to the participants were all excellent.  Read less

Before joining the DS4A / Empowerment community, I did not fully understand the depth of how data science, machine learning, and business concepts are used across various fields and industries. I also had no coding experience. Needless to say, I was met with a major learning curve, and I was skeptical of how I could progress through the curriculum. Yet, from the very beginning, I was included and felt a sense of belonging. Fellows were given numerous avenues of support, and we were encouraged to learn and seek out support in order to succeed. I never felt belittled or that there was a question that could not be asked. There were also community groups and virtual social events where you could meet with people from similar backgrounds (and MANY different backgrounds were represented!). Keeping an open mind, I leaned in and took a chance on my growth: spending time studying and reviewing materials; joining informal study sessions outside of lectures; and being inspired to pursue what seemed impossible only a few months before. Instructors encouraged us whenever we met hurdles and peers supported one another in sharing resources (and their time!) to work through challenges. For a complete beginner to data science, this program challenged me to create a new narrative around the biases and assumptions I had created in working with data and working with others. We also had amazing opportunities to know how to apply for future opportunities, whether job-related or continuing education, through career development workshops. It is one thing to have acquired these skills and yet another to know how to navigate them in the real world. Career development was very informative, and once again, you will understand your influence in the opportunities that are available.

I highly recommend this program, especially if you are in a position where you would like to attain data skills and do not have the financial means or support to do so. You will get as much out of the program as you put into it. I must strongly emphasize that the program requires consistent commitment, especially if you are a beginner. If you do not stay committed to learning and participating, it is very easy to get overwhelmed and fall behind. You may also be tempted to not ask questions or reach out for help. This may require vulnerability and perhaps discomfort for those with a solitary learning style, yet you will excel personally and professionally if you make sure you set time to review and seek support. Do not underestimate the power of community and how many people are willing to help and support you. This behavior was exceptionally evident. We were provided the long-term view of the influence of our late nights and Saturday sessions. We were not only learning new skills but becoming change agents for a world that desperately needs all voices represented in our work, to mitigate the bias and stigma that can be attributed to a lack of diverse voices and leaders. Although the program is free, the value is instilled in the process on knowing how to work within a team; how to cultivate leadership; how to troubleshoot when you can not find a solution; how to give grace to oneself when you feel defeated; how to use critical thinking when working through a business case or problem; and how to give back to others who are going along with you on the journey. Take a chance on your growth through this program, wherever you are. You will be included, encouraged, and supported.

Read less

I recently graduated from Correlation One's Data Science 4 All program as part of their second cohort. I didn't know what to expect going in, but I knew it would be very beneficial to become well-verses in data analysis. Correlation One gave me more than I could have bargained for with not only very knowledgable professors and TA's teaching us in-demand skills, but also building a community of peers — a network of some of the most talented and driven people I've seen — that I can stay connected with through the long-term.

I've been recommending this program to everyone because outside of your time and effort, there's nothing else this program requires. It's free and accessible for all. 

Since joining this program I not only acquired foundational skills in data science, but I also got a new job and doubled my salary. Don't wonder when the time is right to pivot in your career; make the moves to get you to your goals.  Read less

This program was fantastic. It had theoretical and practical teachings and mixed in professional development and career exploration opportunities. If you come in with no Python experience, this will be a huge learning curve for you to overcome. I took one course and actually struggled initially. It's hard to get a gauge of whether the content was difficult to master or that I did not put enough time into my learning, however I do think if they provided readings or supplementary practice for the code that we learned, it would've been easier for students to follow along in class and not fall behind.    

Something I did not like was the lack of guidance for the final project and the very small offering of entry level roles through sponsor partnerships. It was expected that people with no data science, and sometimes no business or research background, take a data set and produce something useful. All we had was a mentor to give us guidance once a month and then a TA (who has a full time job as well) to support 20 groups. I think the idea was great but the execution not so much. Secondly, many of the job postings that they had on the website were like mid level and higher positions. Makes me wonder if theres a mismatch in the needs of organizations and training provided, or if more of the students accepted into this program actually already had substantial experience in data science. Read less

My experience in the Correlation-One DS4A/Empowerment training fellowship was amazing. To give context on my background, I have two graduate degrees and attended two universities that are consistently ranked in the top-5 university programs in the world. I also have several years of management experience at Fortune-100 companies and despite these credentials, I have found it near impossible to find work in the technology sector. Part of the reason (I believe) is that technology firms are historically underrepresented by BIPOC/LBGTQ+/Veterans/Women. In fact, this is the problem Correlation-One aims to solve. The other reason for not finding meaningful work in the technology sector was my lack of data analytic skills. I have always been a consumer of analytics --BUT-- I was never a producer of data or analytics. And while some professionals may never need to be data producers (i.e., someone that captures, wangles, and publishes meaningful data insights), Correlation-One believes that for the aforementioned underrepresented groups this is a critical skillset needed to get into tech-forward companies and excel at those companies. I agree.

The genius behind this data science training is that you, the learner, will never have to rely on just one vocational sector. Data science and analytics impacts just about everything, from healthcare to equity trading to solving the COVID-19 crisis. And the best part about attaining this knowledge is that you can use these skills for the rest of your life. You can work for a company. You can become a consultant. You can do one-off, ad-hoc projects. There is literally no limit to what you can do once you become a data scientist or analyst. As for me, simply mentioning on my LinkedIn profile that I was accepted into the DS4A program generated a lot of conversations with recruiters from top-tier, household name technology companies... before I even matriculated from the program! That is the opportunity that comes with being a fellow in the Correlation-One program.

About the program: You do not need to know how to code prior to admission. You will go through a pre-foundational Python course (that you must complete successfully) prior to moving to the focus of the program, data analytics. During the pre-foundational Python program the instructors literally lead you by the hand to make sure you understand what you are learning. They want you to succeed. I have been a part of "weed-out" academic programs and this is not one of them. This is an "all-in" program where everyone from the co-founders to the TA's to the mentors want you to succeed. That said, some of my peers did not make it out of the pre-foundational tier, possibly due to other priorities or being overwhelmed. I do not know why some did not move forward to the second tier of the program but I would argue that it has nothing to do with "smarts." The admission rate is less than 5% so all that were admitted have the skills to succeed.

The second tier of the program is where the magic happens. You learn so much in the first couple of weeks (data cleaning, data wrangling, analysis and interpretation, visualizations, etc...) and it is extremely satisfying. You work on real-world problems and the skills you learn can be applied immediately. All of this learning is ultimately displayed in a team project that you will submit toward the end of the program. You will apply everything you've learned in a project of your team's choosing and you will present it to your class section. But, the course is not just all code and analytics. There's music! Lot's of good music. And there are speakers from industry to talk to you and will connect with you on social media. As I mentioned previously, everyone associated with Correlation-One (partners, speakers, mentors, lecturers, staff) from soup-to-nuts *wants* to see you succeed in this program. In fact, the partners are paying for your education --and-- will offer you employment if your skills and professional background fits their needs. 

So, what is my negative feedback? None. I have been fortunate to attend some of the best universities in the world and I can honestly say that DS4A has been my best academic experience. I even shock myself when I say that but it's true. Prior to being admitted to DS4A, I researched other data science programs but for some of those programs cost was a barrier and for other programs the quality of the curriculum was questionable. Correlation-One is a fully, vertically integrated training fellowship and the team has thought of everything; they teach you the fundamentals, they take a deep dive into data science and analytics, they have their own job portal for graduates with jobs from the underwriters of the program, you keep the learning materials forever, you have access to the recorded lectures forever, you build a strong cohort of like-minded data scientist in every vertical imaginable, you obtain a verified certificate upon graduation, and they keep in touch with you even after you've completed the course. There are many more benefits but I am running out of space to write.

Bottom line, I was blown away with what is offered to fellows of Correlation-One and it is my belief that no other data science program can match their offering. I am so happy that I found Correlation-One and applied. And I am even happier that they have accepted me into their community. Read less