Begin Your Data Engineering Career with $0
Get Certified Without Spending a Cent
Over the years, I’ve earned over 20 certificates and had free access to tons of courses in the data space!
"Hey, Nnamdi, how much did it cost you to earn your certificates?”
“I’m all ready to begin my journey. I only need some money to buy the required courses.”
A lot of times, I’ve had friends and newbies reach out to me with these sentiments. From the conversations I’ve had with several folks, this ignorance has killed the dreams of many in data engineering. They wait so long to amass the right amount of money to kick-start their careers.
It’s quite saddening that sometimes this time never show up.
Coursera is a good place to begin your career. Aside from having access to the courses for free and learning the fundamentals of data engineering, you’ll be issued certificates upon completion.
These certificates and the capstone project outline your capabilities and keep you on a high pedestal.
How do I begin? You may be asking.
In a moment, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of accessing the Meta Database Engineer Professional Certificate.
This course is one of the many data engineering courses available on Coursera. Others can also be accessed by following these steps.
Begin with Coursera
The first step is to create an account with Coursera if you don’t already have one. Register by clicking here.
After that, log in to the platform and navigate to the search box. Enter “Meta Database Engineer Professional Certificate” in the search box and click on it when it appears. You’d see something like this on your PC:
Hover your mouse over “Financial aid available” and click. It sends you to the next page, where you will see the following:
This course has many sub-courses. This necessitates applying for each of them, beginning with the first on the list. Choose the first course and press the “Next” button to be sent to this page:
Click on “Continue to the application,” and it’ll take you to this page:
Fill in your education level, yearly income, and employment status, and compose your first essay about why you’re seeking financial help.
In this essay, you can describe yourself, your desire to master database engineering and break into the computer industry, and your financial inability to pay for the course. Explain why you can’t afford the course (for example, being unemployed, being a student, having less than $100 in income, a high exchange rate (if necessary), etc.).
Describe how you find it difficult to save such a large amount of money for the certificate and how Financial Aid will allow you to enroll in this course without jeopardizing your monthly basic requirements. Describe how getting financial help would allow you to achieve your professional ambitions while also benefiting society.
When you’re finished completing the essay, click “Next” to be sent to this page:
Type “0” in the part where it asks, “How much can you pay for your selected course?” then write the following essay: “How will your selected course help with your goals?”
In this essay, you can explain how you intend to use the course to achieve your career goals. Describe your professional goals and how this is a significant step in your learning journey. You can talk about how it has helped others, why you think it will help you, and how you plan to finish the course. You can explain how having the certification can help you secure an entry-level job or an internship at your chosen company.
Click on the checkboxes, then copy and paste the phrase “I agree to the terms above” into the box below it.
Click the captcha and then the “Review” button.
You may wish to complete your application and then click “Submit Application.”
It usually takes around two weeks to have your selected course authorized. You will be contacted via the email address you provided during the registration process.
With these actions, you will most likely be given financial help and have access to the course.
Wrap-up
Kick-starting your data engineering career with minimal financial investment is not only possible but also a testament to the wealth of resources available in the digital age.
By leveraging free online courses, open-source tools, and community-driven platforms, you can build a solid foundation without breaking the bank. The key lies in a proactive and resourceful approach, harnessing the power of self-directed learning, collaborative online communities, and practical hands-on experience.
