Hi, Roma! Both platforms include real world projects that I could use to create my own web portfolio so that is a plus. My concern is exactly what you mention...online platform like Coursers may not hold the same leverage as one from UT. I applied to the UT program yesterday so we shall see. I appreciate your thoughts!

Hi Kadhra! Congrats on landing a Data Scientist role. One of the main things is to have a portfolio of the projects you have done. This gives a proof that you have the skills. From what I have heard, companies don't really consider a candidate to be proficient if they have completed online courses from Udemy, Coursera etc. On the other hand, having a certificate from a university course that ranks 4th in the country would hold a higher value over a non-university course. In the end, everything comes down to the projects you can showcase.

Hi Kadhra, this is a great question. First off congratulations for using this opportunity to find something that fits your natural instincts / desire. Both certificate sound like valid options. There's 2 things that may be worth considering. 1) Ask both the University of TX admin office and the Coursera program admins if their alumni certification grads have received work based on completing the certificate. Better yet, ask both of them if they can provide you a few student names (should the students agree to be contacted), so that you can get their perspective if and how each of their certificates have come in handy. 2) Browse through some jobs online to see if any certificates are referenced as a requirement. Chances are like you said, recruiters may be looking more at your experience instead of certificates but it doesn't hurt. Also, on that note see if you can contact someone via your networks at a company who is hiring for this role. The goal would be to not ask them for a job, but just posing this question to them as well. I'm guessing though that someone will chime in in this community as well to help answer.