WGU INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
What Is Power BI?
Power BI is a professional-level suite of products created by Microsoft that allows users to convert data into visual hierarchies. It’s a dedicated data visualization tool that can cater to many needs, including business intelligence and enterprise analytics objectives. Microsoft Power BI equips individuals and organizations with the skills they need to make better-informed, data-driven decisions.
Learning how Power BI works can help prepare you for a variety of lucrative jobs in data analytics and adjacent fields.
What Is Power BI and Why Is It Important?
Power BI is a comprehensive business analytics service that collects data and converts it into graphs, pie charts, tables, and dashboards. Users can interact with these visual elements to interpret complex sets of data and statistics. Power BI can collate large volumes of data at scale that more traditional programs like Microsoft Excel and Google Analytics cannot.
Power BI seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft products, making it a great option for organizations that use Microsoft’s ecosystem. Additionally, Power BI is divided into various components to cater to different user needs, including:
- Power BI Desktop App
- Power BI Mobile App
- Power BI Service
- Power BI Premium
- Power BI Dataflow
- Power BI Embedded
These components work in unity to offer useful features and capabilities like:
- Simple, drag-and-drop user interface
- Strong support for user sharing and collaboration
- Fully customizable, intuitive data dashboards
- Data integration from sources like Structured Query Language (SQL) servers, Microsoft Azure, and Salesforce
- Library of assorted visualization templates
What Is Power BI Used For?
Microsoft’s Power BI is designed for both beginner- and advanced-level users. This means that nearly anybody can become proficient at it, from low-level employees to professional data analysts. Businesses and other organizations rely on Power BI to create data-driven stories and forecasts to help them achieve performance goals. Executive leaders, sales managers, and marketing specialists in particular can engage with Power BI to improve the way they conduct business.
Data analysts, statisticians, and actuarial scientists also use Power BI in fields like information technology and healthcare to analyze trends and assess risk. These professionals can also use Power BI to develop machine learning models that help enhance operations in countless industries. For example, by reviewing past data trends in online retail, Power BI users can implement better, more reliable ways to appeal to shoppers.
Power BI can also be used for numerous other objectives like:
- Creating and sharing reports.
- Assessing customer feedback.
- Predicting sales figures.
- Building presentations.
- Analyzing consumer behavior.
- Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs).
Where Is Power BI Needed in the IT Space?
Power BI plays an important—and sometimes indispensable—role in the following areas of the broader IT field:
- Data analytics and engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Health information
- Data science
- Business analytics and intelligence
In terms of data management and its associated decision-making processes, Power BI offers actionable tools like:
Real-time data updates
Automatic data integration
AI and machine learning capabilities
Power Query (for data transformation)
Convenient formatting options
User and workplace licenses
Real-time data updates
Automatic data integration
AI and machine learning capabilities
Power Query (for data transformation)
Convenient formatting options
User and workplace licenses
Why Choose WGU?
WGU offers more than a dozen online, accredited bachelor’s and master’s programs in IT. Each of these programs is designed with input from industry experts to ensure that you learn career-aligned skills. These programs also include in-demand IT certifications at no extra cost.
In addition, WGU’s competency-based education model allows you to progress through coursework as quickly as you master the material, potentially saving time and money.
WGU teaches principles related to Power BI in the following programs:
Technology
Cloud Computing – B.S.
A three-track program designed to arm you with the certifications and...
A three-track program designed to arm you with the certifications and credentials you need for a career like systems administrator, computer systems analyst, cloud support specialist, AWS support administrator, and more.
- Time: 63% of graduates finish within 37 months.
- Transfer: Your previous college coursework and existing certifications may waive course requirements, helping you finish even faster.
- Tuition: $4,085 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 total courses in this program.
- 3 Tracks: Choose between a multi-cloud, AWS, or Azure focused track to learn specific software specialties.
Certifications at no extra cost, including:
- Amazon AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Amazon AWS SysOps Administration–Associate
- Azure Fundamentals
- Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure
- LPI Linux Essentials
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Cloud+
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Project+
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Scripting and Automation
- Managing Cloud Security
- Development
- Applications
- Ongoing maintenance and security
Technology
Data Analytics – B.S.
Lean into data, and walk away with a cutting-edge online degree:...
Lean into data, and walk away with a cutting-edge online degree:
- Time: 62% of graduates finish within 36 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,835 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 39 total courses in this program.
Certifications in this program at no additional cost include:
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- CompTIA Data+
- CompTIA Project+
- Udacity Nanodegree—a unique, highly recognized credential designed to prepare you for a career in data science
- MSI Change Management (Optional Certification)
- Certiprof Design Thinking Professional Certificate (Optional Certification)
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Data management
- Data wrangling
- Statistical analysis
- Visualization
- Leadership and management
- Model deployment & storytelling
Technology
Data Analytics – M.S.
Lead businesses with strong analysis skills:...
Lead businesses with strong analysis skills:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 20 months.
- Tuition: $4,520 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program.
This program consists of three specialization areas which allow you to gain specific experience and skills that will benefit your future career. You can choose from data science, data engineering, and decision process engineering specializations to enhance your degree.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Data Modeling
- Big Data
- Business Intelligence
- Data Quality
- SQL
- Python
Find Your Degree
WGU offers a flexible, competency-based learning model that empowers you to progress through courses as quickly as you master the material, potentially graduating faster and saving money. Learn more about our IT degrees today and become proficient at Power BI.
Still not sure what degree course to pursue? Take our degree quiz and get a degree course that aligns with your passions.
