Data at Work program helps the DHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education build new skills
By: Olivia Rojas, DSA Content Writer
In today’s data-driven world, the demand for skilled professionals who can harness the power of big data is only growing. The Data at Work Program is the Data Science Academy (DSA) suite of customized training opportunities for industry, government, or any group wanting a hands-on learning experience in data science or AI.
The Data at Work courses provide deep dives into topics such as analytics with SAS and JMP, advanced Excel and Power BI, introductions to R and Python and the exploration of machine learning and artificial intelligence. All of the courses are customized, so participants use data and tools from their workplace and complete projects relevant to their jobs. All courses are designed and delivered through the DSA’s All-campus Data science through Accessible Project-based Teaching and learning model (ADAPT Model) to prioritize learning experiences in which participants have the ability to make genuine choices from data-driven decision-making.
During the Fall 2023 semester, the DSA designed a Data at Work course Data Analytics in Excel and Beyond at the request of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). DCDEE wanted their staff to build their expertise in using data analytics practices and processes to make data-driven decisions.
Taught online by NC State alumnus Dr. Majed Al-Ghandour, the course introduced basic concepts of data analytics to develop and improve a participant’s analytical skills through work with a variety of real data from their workplace. This course was divided into four parts: (I) Excel Skills, (II) Descriptive Analysis, (III) Diagnostics Analysis and (IV) Predictive Analytics.
“We were focused on data analytics, how we are improving their [use of] data at work, and supporting them with any questions for how they gather the data, how they process, and how they clean the data to make it ready for analysis so they can make final decisions, either themselves or when they are presented to the stakeholders,” Al-Ghandour said.
In post-course evaluations, DCDEE staff indicated that learning about Excel and an introduction to learning analytics supported them in developing their ability to make data-driven decisions in their work at DCDEE. Participants also indicated that they increased their knowledge of using Excel and they had learned new and/or more advanced Excel skills.
“This course showed me how amazing Excel can be in bringing data alive. I will need to practice much more to gain a better understanding of its functionalities,” a member of the DCDEE staff said. “It provided capabilities that I did not encompass before, and I am excited about using what I have learned,” another staff member said.
For more information or additional questions about the Data at Work program, please contact DSA Executive Director, Dr. Rachel Levy at datascienceacademy@ncsu.edu.