Rice’s Glasscock School launches first data analytics boot camp

Part-time, 24-week professional data analytics program will begin Nov. 5

Rice’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies this fall will offer its first boot camp for data analytics in partnership with leading workforce accelerator Trilogy Education. Geared toward working adults in Houston, the Rice University Data Analytics Boot Camp will teach both the technical and teamwork skills necessary to become a proficient data scientist or analyst.

Roles such as data scientist, data analyst and research analyst rank among Houston’s fastest-growing professions, with demand predicted to surge by 21 percent by 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The 24-week, part-time program begins Nov. 5, with two three-hour evening classes during the week (6:30 to 9:30 p.m.) and a four-hour class on Saturdays (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Enrollment is now open at techbootcamps.rice.edu.

“Over 90 percent of all data has been generated in the past two years,” said Robert Bruce, dean of the  Glasscock School. “From oil and gas exploration to financial services, nearly every industry in Houston needs professionals who have the ability to translate this explosion of data into actionable insights. By leveraging Trilogy Education’s platform and expertise, we can quickly expand access to the skills local professionals in Houston need to pursue rewarding careers in this rapidly growing sector.”

With the labor market the tightest it’s been in a generation, Houston employers are hungry for data-savvy talent. Roles such as data scientist, data analyst and research analyst rank among the city’s fastest-growing professions, with demand predicted to surge by 21 percent by 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the past 12 months alone, Houston employers struggled to fill more than 50,000 open positions requiring data proficiency, program organizers said.

“Both Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies and Trilogy Education share the belief that stronger skills equal stronger cities,” said Dan Sommer, CEO and founder of Trilogy Education. “We’re proud to partner with the Glasscock School to give more Houstonians the opportunity to accelerate their careers in high-demand data fields. Our program will develop the digitally skilled workforce needed to power Houston’s businesses and big ideas, as Rice and the city of Houston work to foster a transformative innovation economy.”

Rice Provost Marie Lynn Miranda said, “Rice University is committed to meeting the educational needs and professional aspirations of the broader Houston community. This partnership to bring an intensive data analytics boot camp to Houston’s workforce is an important step in the Glasscock School’s renewed commitment to supporting Houston’s vibrant business community through transformative educational offerings for professionals at all stages of their careers.”

Pairing Rice’s strengths with Trilogy’s market-driven data analytics curriculum offers students both the competence and confidence to succeed as data professionals, program organizers said. The program’s curriculum covers programming in Excel, fundamental statistics, Python, SQL, MongoDB, front-end web visualization, JavaScript, Tableau and more.

In addition to classroom instruction, students will spend 20 hours a week on outside projects, homework and experiential learning activities ranging from visualizing bike-sharing data in Houston to mapping worldwide earthquakes in real time. They will build a professional project portfolio to showcase their abilities and hone their competitive edge in the employment market. Students will also receive a range of career-planning services, portfolio reviews, recruiting assistance and extensive staff support.

Bruce stressed that engaging Houston as a focus and partner for education and enabling the city’s success are goals of Rice’s Vision for the Second Century, Second Decade (V2C2).

To learn more about or apply to attend the Rice University Data Analytics Boot Camp, for which tuition is $11,495, visit techbootcamps.rice.edu. Applications can also be submitted by calling 713-893-7791.