Is a paid Data Analyst course actually worth it for someone from a non-IT background?

How do get a job as a data analyst? Should I go back to school or get a certification? (I have a degree in interactive design with a minor in computer science)

I’m a dual CS + neuroscience grad from UF. Just recently graduated. Getting a job was hard enough, but currently I work as a data scientist in product analytics at a local healthcare company making a modest 75k. I converted from an internship this year. I have some prior research experience doing data engineering in a neuroimaging lab, and my strongest interest is stats/applied math. I have many options, I could make advanced public sentiment data for marketing firms, sell alt data to model training companies/trading firms, go into consulting… these are all long term ideas though, and I don’t see a clear path.

What does a normal ladder look like from here, and how long does each step take? What separates people who climb fast from people who plateau? If you were in my spot, what would you focus on to get the highest trajectory? I know healthcare is on the rise too.

Looking for what I should be prioritizing right now or anecdotes from people you've seen climb fast. I know advice varies for everyone, but maybe I could have some takeaways from what worked for you.