- What is this Cookbook
- Data Engineers
- My Data Science Platform Blueprint
- Who Companies Need
- How to Learn Data Engineering
- Data Engineers Skills Matrix
- How to Become a Senior Data Engineer
I get asked a lot: "What do you actually need to learn to become an awesome data engineer?"
Well, look no further. You'll find it here!
If you are looking for AI algorithms and such data scientist things, this book is not for you.
How to use this Cookbook: This book is intended to be a starting point for you. It is not a training! I want to help you to identify the topics to look into to become an awesome data engineer in the process.
It hinges on my Data Science Platform Blueprint. Check it out below. Once you understand it, you can find in the book tools that fit into each key area of a Data Science platform (Connect, Buffer, Processing Framework, Store, Visualize).
Select a few tools you are interested in, then research and work with them.
Don't learn everything in this book! Focus.
What types of content are in this book? You are going to find five types of content in this book: Articles I wrote, links to my podcast episodes (video & audio), more than 200 links to helpful websites I like, data engineering interview questions and case studies.
This book is a work in progress! As you can see, this book is not finished. I'm constantly adding new stuff and doing videos for the topics. But, obviously, because I do this as a hobby, my time is limited. You can help make this book even better.
Help make this book awesome! If you have some cool links or topics for the cookbook, please become a contributor on GitHub: https://github.com/andkret/Cookbook. Fork the repo, add them, and create a pull request. Or join the discussion by opening Issues. Tell me your thoughts, what you value, what you think should be included, or correct me where I am wrong. You can also write me an email any time to plumbersofdatascience@gmail.com anytime.
This Cookbook is and will always be free!
Check out my Data Engineering Academy at LearnDataEngineering.com
Visit learndataengineering.com: Click Here
- Huge Step by step Data Engineering Academy with over 30 courses
- Unlimited access incl. future courses during subsciption
- Access to all courses and example projects in the Academy
- Associate Data Engineer Certification
- Data Engineering on AWS E-Commerce example project
- Microsoft Azure example project
- Document Streaming example project with Docker, FastAPI, Apache Kafka, Apache Spark,
- MongoDB and Streamlit
- Time Series example project with InfluxDB and Grafana
- Lifetime access to the private Discord Workspace
- Course certificates
- Currently over 54 hours of videos
- Amazon: Click Here buy whatever you like from Amazon using this link* (Also check out my complete podcast gear and books)
If you have some cool links or topics for the cookbook, please become a contributor.
Simply pull the repo, add your ideas and create a pull request. You can also open an issue and put your thoughts there.
Please use the "Issues" function for comments.
Data Engineers are the link between the management's data strategy and the data scientists or analysts that need to work with data.
What they do is build the platforms that enable data scientists to do their magic.
These platforms are usually used in five different ways:
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Data ingestion and storage of large amounts of data.
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Algorithm creation by data scientists.
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Automation of the data scientist's machine learning models and algorithms for production use.
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Data visualization for employees and customers.
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Most of the time these guys start as traditional solution architects for systems that involve SQL databases, web servers, SAP installations and other "standard" systems.
But, to create big data platforms, the engineer needs to be an expert in specifying, setting up, and maintaining big data technologies like: Hadoop, Spark, HBase, Cassandra, MongoDB, Kafka, Redis, and more.
What they also need is experience on how to deploy systems on cloud infrastructure like at Amazon or Google, or on-premise hardware.
| Podcast Episode: #048 From Wannabe Data Scientist To Engineer My Journey |
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| In this episode Kate Strachnyi interviews me for her humans of data science podcast. We talk about how I found out that I am more into the engineering part of data science. |
| Watch on YouTube \ Listen on Anchor |
I have created a simple and modular big data platform blueprint. It is based on what I have seen in the field and read in tech blogs all over the internet.
Why do I believe it will be super useful to you? Because, unlike other blueprints, it is not focused on technology.
Following my blueprint will allow you to create the big data platform that fits exactly your needs. Building the perfect platform will allow data scientists to discover new insights. It will enable you to perfectly handle big data and allow you to make data-driven decisions.
The blueprint is focused on the five key areas: Connect, Buffer, Processing Frameworks, Store, and Visualize.
Having the platform split like this turns it into a modular platform with loosely coupled interfaces.
Why is it so important to have a modular platform?
If you have a platform that is not modular, you end up with something that is fixed or hard to modify. This means you can not adjust the platform to changing requirements of the company.
Because of modularity, it is possible to specifically select tools for your use case. It also allows you to replace every component, if you need it.
Now, lets talk more about each key area.
Ingestion is all about getting the data in from the source and making it available to later stages. Sources can be everything from tweets to server logs, to IoT sensor data (e.g. from cars).
Sources send data to your API Services. The API is going to push the data into temporary storage.
The temporary storage allows other stages simple and fast access to incoming data.
A great solution is to use messaging queue systems like Apache Kafka, RabbitMQ or AWS Kinesis. Sometimes people also use caches for specialised applications like Redis.
A good practice is that the temporary storage follows the publish-subscribe pattern. This way APIs can publish messages and Analytics can quickly consume them.
In the buffer phase you have pub/sub systems like Apache Kafka, Redis, or other Cloud tools like Google pub/sub or AWS Kinesis.
These systems are more or less message Queues. You put something in on one side and take it out on the other.
The idea behind buffers is to have an intermediate system for the incoming data.
How this works is, for instance, you're getting data in from from an API. The API is publishing into the message queue. Data is buffered there until it is picked up by the processing.
If you don't have a buffer, you can run into problems when writing directly into a store or you're processing the data directly. You can always have peaks of incoming data that stall the systems.
Like, it's lunch break and people are working with your app way more than usual. There's more data coming in very very fast, faster than the analytics of the storage can handle.
In this case, you would run into problems, because the whole system would stall. It would therefore take long to process the data, and your customers would be annoyed.
With a buffer, you buffer the incoming data. Processes for storage and analytics can take out only as much data as they can process. You are no longer in danger of overpowering systems.
Buffers are also really good for building pipelines.
You take data out of Kafka, pre-process it, and put it back into Kafka. Then, with another analytics process, you take the processed data back out and put it into a store.
Ta-da! A pipeline.
The analyse stage is where the actual analytics is done in the form of stream and batch processing.
Streaming data is taken from ingest and fed into analytics. Streaming analyses the "live" data, thus generating fast results.
As the central and most important stage, analytics also has access to the big data storage. Because of that connection, analytics can take a big chunk of data and analyse it.
This type of analysis is called batch processing. It will deliver you answers for the big questions.
For a short video about batch and stream processing and their use cases, click on the link below:
Adding Batch to a Streaming Pipeline
The analytics process, batch or streaming, is not a one-way process. Analytics can also write data back to the big data storage.
Oftentimes, writing data back to the storage makes sense. It allows you to combine previous analytics outputs with the raw data.
Analytics give insights when you combine raw data. This combination will often allow you to create even more useful insights.
A wide variety of analytics tools are available. Ranging from MapReduce or AWS Elastic MapReduce to Apache Spark and AWS lambda.
This is the typical big-data storage where you just store everything. It enables you to analyse the big picture.
Most of the data might seem useless for now, but it is of utmost importance to keep it. Throwing data away is a big no-no.
Why not throw something away when it is useless?
Although it seems useless for now, data scientists can work with the data. They might find new ways to analyse the data and generate valuable insights from it.
What kind of systems can be used to store big data?
Systems like Hadoop HDFS, Hbase, Amazon S3 or DynamoDB are a perfect fit to store big data.
Check out my podcast how to decide between SQL and NoSQL: https://anchor.fm/andreaskayy/embed/episodes/NoSQL-Vs-SQL-How-To-Choose-e12f1o
Displaying data is as important as ingesting, storing, and analysing it. Visualizations enable business users to make data-driven decisions.
This is why it is important to have a good visual presentation of the data. Sometimes you have a lot of different use cases or projects using the platform.
It might not be possible to build the perfect UI that fits everyone's needs. What you should do in this case is enable others to build the perfect UI themselves.
How to do that? By creating APIs to access the data and making them available to developers.
Either way, UI or API, the trick is to give the display stage direct access to the data in the big-data cluster. This kind of access will allow the developers to use analytics results as well as raw data to build the perfect application.
For a company, it is important to have well-trained data engineers.
That's why companies are looking for people with experience of tools in every part of the above platform blueprint. One common theme I see is cloud platform experience on AWS, Azure or GCP.
This interview with Andreas on Jon Krohn's Super Data Science podcast delves into the intricacies of data engineering, highlighting its critical role in the broader data science ecosystem. Andreas, calling from Northern Bavaria, Germany, shares his journey from a data analyst to becoming a renowned data engineering educator through his Learn Data Engineering Academy. The conversation touches upon the foundational importance of data engineering in ensuring data quality, scalability, and accessibility for data scientists and analysts.
Andreas emphasizes that the best data engineers often have a background in the companies domain/niche, which equips them with a deep understanding of the end user's needs. The discussion also explores the essential tools and skills required in the field, such as relational databases, APIs, ETL tools, data streaming with Kafka, and the significance of learning platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP. Andreas highlights the evolving landscape of data engineering, with a nod towards the emergence of roles like analytics engineers and the increasing importance of automation and advanced data processing tools like Snowflake, Databricks, and DBT.
The interview is not just a technical deep dive but also a personal journey of discovery and passion for data engineering, underscoring the perpetual learning and adaptation required in the fast-evolving field of data science.
| Watch or listen to this interview -> 657: How to Learn Data Engineering — with Andreas Kretz |
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| Was super fun talking with Jon about Data Engineering on the podcast. Think this will be very helpful for you :) |
| Watch on YouTube / Listen to the Podcast |
Q: What is data engineering, and why is it important? A: Data engineering is the foundation of the data science process, focusing on collecting, cleaning, and managing data to make it accessible and usable for data scientists and analysts. It's crucial for automating data processes, ensuring data quality, and enabling scalable data analysis and machine learning models.
Q: How does one transition from data analysis to data engineering? A: The transition involves gaining a deep understanding of data pipelines, learning to work with various data processing and management tools, and developing skills in programming languages and technologies relevant to data engineering, such as SQL, Python, and cloud platforms like AWS or Azure.
Q: What are the key skills and tools for a data engineer? A: Essential skills include proficiency in SQL, experience with ETL tools, knowledge of programming languages like Python, and familiarity with cloud services and data processing frameworks like Apache Spark. Tools like Kafka for data streaming and platforms like Snowflake and Databricks are also becoming increasingly important.
Q: Can you elaborate on the emerging role of analytics engineers? A: Analytics engineers focus on bridging the gap between raw data management and data analysis, working closely with data warehouses and using tools like dbt to prepare and model data for easy analysis. This role is pivotal in making data more accessible and actionable for decision-making processes.
Q: What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a data engineer? A: Start by mastering the basics of SQL and Python, then explore and gain experience with various data engineering tools and technologies. It's also important to understand the data science lifecycle and how data engineering fits within it. Continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends are key to success in this field.
Q: How does a data engineer's role evolve with experience? A: A data engineer's journey typically starts with focusing on specific tasks or segments of data pipelines, using a limited set of tools. As they gain experience, they broaden their skill set, manage entire data pipelines, and take on more complex projects. Senior data engineers often lead teams, design data architectures, and collaborate closely with data scientists and business stakeholders to drive data-driven decisions.
Q: What distinguishes data engineering from machine learning engineering? A: While both fields overlap, especially in the use of data, data engineering focuses on the infrastructure and processes for handling data, ensuring its quality and accessibility. Machine learning engineering, on the other hand, centers on deploying and maintaining machine learning models in production environments. A strong data engineering foundation is essential for effective machine learning engineering.
Q: Why might a data analyst transition to data engineering? A: Data analysts may transition to data engineering to work on more technical aspects of data handling, such as building and maintaining data pipelines, automating data processes, and ensuring data scalability. This transition allows them to have a more significant impact on the data lifecycle and contribute to more strategic data initiatives within an organization.
Q: Can you share a challenging project you worked on as a data engineer? A: One challenging project involved creating a scalable data pipeline for real-time processing of machine-generated data. The complexity lay in handling vast volumes of data, ensuring its quality, and integrating various data sources while maintaining high performance. This project highlighted the importance of selecting the right tools and technologies, such as Kafka for data streaming and Apache Spark for data processing, to meet the project's demands.
Q: How does the cloud influence data engineering? A: Cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP have transformed data engineering by providing scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions for data storage, processing, and analysis. They offer a wide range of services and tools that data engineers can leverage to build robust data pipelines and infrastructure, facilitating easier access to advanced data processing capabilities and enabling more innovative data solutions.
Q: What future trends do you see in data engineering? A: Future trends in data engineering include the increasing adoption of cloud-native services, the rise of real-time data processing and analytics, greater emphasis on data governance and security, and the continued growth of machine learning and AI-driven data processes. Additionally, tools and platforms that simplify data engineering tasks and enable more accessible data integration and analysis will become more prevalent, democratizing data across organizations.
Q: How does the background of a data analyst contribute to their success as a data engineer? A: Data analysts have a unique advantage when transitioning to data engineering due to their understanding of data's end-use. Their experience in analyzing data gives them insights into what makes data valuable and usable, enabling them to design more effective and user-centric data pipelines and storage solutions.
Q: What role does automation play in data engineering? A: Automation is crucial in data engineering for scaling data processes, reducing manual errors, and ensuring consistency in data handling. Automated data pipelines allow for real-time data processing and integration, making data more readily available for analysis and decision-making.
Q: Can you discuss the significance of cloud platforms in data engineering? A: Cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP offer scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions for data storage, processing, and analysis. They provide data engineers with a suite of tools and services to build robust data pipelines, implement machine learning models, and manage large volumes of data efficiently.
Q: How does data engineering support data science and machine learning projects? A: Data engineering lays the groundwork for data science and machine learning by preparing and managing the data infrastructure. It ensures that high-quality, relevant data is available for model training and analysis, thereby enabling more accurate predictions and insights.
Q: What emerging technologies or trends should data engineers be aware of? A: Data engineers should keep an eye on the rise of machine learning operations (MLOps) for integrating machine learning models into production, the growing importance of real-time data processing and analytics, and the adoption of serverless computing for more efficient resource management. Additionally, technologies like containerization (e.g., Docker) and orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes) are becoming critical for deploying and managing scalable data applications.
Q: What challenges do data engineers face, and how can they be addressed? A: Data engineers often grapple with data quality issues, integrating disparate data sources, and scaling data infrastructure to meet growing data volumes. Addressing these challenges requires a solid understanding of data architecture principles, continuous monitoring and testing of data pipelines, and adopting best practices for data governance and management.
Q: How important is collaboration between data engineers and other data professionals? A: Collaboration is key in the data ecosystem. Data engineers need to work closely with data scientists, analysts, and business stakeholders to ensure that data pipelines are aligned with business needs and analytical goals. Effective communication and a shared understanding of data objectives are vital for the success of data-driven projects.
The following Roadmaps all hinge on the courses in my Data Engineering Academy. They are designed to help students who come from many different professions and enable to build a customized curriculum.
Here are all the courses currently available February 2024:
Colors: Blue (The Basics), Green (Platform & Pipeline Fundamentals), Orange (Fundamental Tools), Red (Example Projects)
I always advise my students to begin with familiar concepts and knowledge, then expand from there. As a data analyst working with data warehousing and report preparation, one might wonder where to start. Rather than diving into basics, it's beneficial to begin with understanding platform and pipeline fundamentals. This includes grasping the architecture of platforms and proceeding to more advanced topics.
For instance, if you're familiar with data warehousing, you might explore BigQuery for warehousing or delve into the lakehouse concept on Snowflake or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). The ease of setup with these platforms allows for immediate application of existing knowledge through data uploading and manipulation. Additionally, our course offerings, such as one on Snowflake with DBT, enable further exploration into data transformation within these environments.
The next step involves selecting appropriate data stores, understanding the differences between OLTP (Online Transaction Processing) databases and analytical data stores, including NoSQL and traditional relational databases. This understanding is crucial for effective data modeling, which we cover in our courses, offering insights into various database modeling techniques.
Moreover, for those interested in non-relational databases, MongoDB presents a valuable opportunity to skip relational data modeling in favor of document stores, leveraging prior knowledge in warehousing and dimensional modeling.
Python skills, even at a basic level, are essential for data engineers. Our Python for Data Engineers course aims to enhance understanding of data transformation tools and techniques. This knowledge, combined with insights into data warehousing, platform functionality, data modeling, and store selection, equips you with the skills to utilize Python in data engineering effectively.
For analysts ready to explore further, projects focusing on fundamental tools and platforms become the next step. Whether it's building streaming data pipelines in Azure that integrate with NoSQL databases like Cosmos DB, or diving into relational data modeling on GCP, there's a wealth of paths to explore. Our courses also cover modern data warehouses and lakehouses on both AWS and GCP, providing comprehensive knowledge on data integration and management.
Additionally, understanding Docker fundamentals opens up possibilities for containerization and machine learning projects, further enhancing your toolkit. From there, diving into Spark fundamentals, learning Kafka for data streaming, and mastering APIs can lead to developing end-to-end streaming projects with user interfaces.
In summary, the journey from understanding basic platform and pipeline concepts to mastering advanced data engineering tools and techniques is a gradual process. By focusing on familiar areas and progressively expanding your skill set, you can achieve a solid foundation in data engineering. This approach, especially if documented well, can set you apart in the field, even at an entry-level or junior position.
| Live Stream -> Roadmap: Data Engineering for Data Analysts! |
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| In this live stream I was showing step by step how to read this roadmap for Analysts, why I chose these tools and why I think this is the right way to do it. I also answered many questions from the audience. |
| Watch on YouTube |
We’re going to tackle the data engineering roadmap for data scientists. It's a topic a lot of you have been curious about, especially after we explored the data analyst side of things. The goal here is to lay out a step-by-step path for those of you looking to make a pivot or deepen your understanding of data engineering.
The first thing I did was sit down and list out all the courses available in my academy. It’s designed to be super flexible, catering to different job roles. For a data scientist, your journey usually starts with a strong grasp of data science fundamentals, right? You know your way around machine learning, how to preprocess data, and maybe even deploy models on a basic level. But then, the question arises: How do you set up an entire platform or pipeline that takes data from ingestion to a point where it’s usable for others?
Here’s where it gets interesting. I thought about how we could structure this to really benefit data scientists. Starting with the basics, like platform and pipeline design, and then moving into choosing data storage solutions. We’re talking about understanding the differences between databases and when to use each type.
But it doesn’t stop there. I’ve included some optional topics, like platform security, because it’s always handy to know, even if you’re not directly responsible for it. And since you’re already familiar with data, why not dive deeper into data modeling? It’s all about making your data work for you in the most efficient way possible.
Now, let's talk about Docker. It's a game-changer for deploying your algorithms. And after that, mastering API fundamentals and streaming with Apache Kafka will open up new possibilities for your projects.
Depending on your interests or where you see yourself in the future, you might want to explore cloud services like AWS, GCP, or Azure. Or maybe you’re more intrigued by the idea of document streaming and creating user interfaces with MongoDB and Streamlit. The roadmap I’ve laid out includes paths for all these directions.
Monitoring and observability are crucial, too. You’ll want to keep an eye on your algorithms and the data flowing through your systems. Tools like Elasticsearch or InfluxDB paired with Grafana can give you those insights.
And don’t forget about orchestration with Airflow. It’s all about keeping your workflows organized and efficient.
So, this roadmap is more than just a list of topics. It’s about building a foundation that lets you, as a data scientist, expand into data engineering seamlessly. It’s about understanding the ecosystem around your data and how to leverage it to build robust, scalable solutions.
| Live Stream -> Roadmap: Data Engineering for Data Scientists! |
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| In this live stream you'll find even more details how to read this roadmap for Data Scientists, why I chose these tools and why I think this is the right way to do it. I also answered many questions from the audience. |
| Watch on YouTube |
if you're transitioning from a background in computer science or software engineering into data engineering, you're already equipped with a solid foundation. Your existing knowledge in coding, familiarity with SQL databases, understanding of computer networking, and experience with operating systems like Linux, provide you with a considerable advantage. These skills form the cornerstone of data engineering and can significantly streamline your learning curve as you embark on this new journey.
Here's a refined roadmap, incorporating your prior expertise, to help you excel in data engineering:
- Deepen Your Python Skills: Python is crucial in data engineering for processing and handling various data formats, such as APIs, CSV, and JSON. Given your coding background, focusing on Python for data engineering will enhance your ability to manipulate and process data effectively.
- Master Docker: Docker is essential for deploying code and managing containers, streamlining the software distribution process. Your understanding of operating systems and networking will make mastering Docker more intuitive, as you'll appreciate the importance of containerization in today's development and deployment workflows.
- Platform and Pipeline Design: Leverage your knowledge of computer networking and operating systems to grasp the architecture of data platforms. Understanding how to design data pipelines, including considerations for stream and batch processing, and emphasizing security, will be key. Your background will provide a solid foundation for understanding how different components integrate within a data platform.
- Choosing the Right Data Stores: Dive into the specifics of data stores, understanding the nuances between transactional and analytical databases, and when to use relational vs. NoSQL vs. document stores vs. time-series databases. Your experience with SQL databases will serve as a valuable baseline for exploring these various data storage options.
- Explore Cloud Platforms: Get hands-on with cloud services such as AWS, GCP, and Azure. Projects or courses that offer practical experience with these platforms will be invaluable. Your tasks might include building pipelines to process data from APIs, using message queues, or delving into data warehousing and lakes, capitalizing on your foundational skills.
- Optional Deep Dives: For those interested in advanced data processing, exploring technologies like Spark or Kafka for stream processing can be enriching. Additionally, learning how to build APIs and work with MongoDB for document storage can open new avenues, especially through practical projects.
- Log Analysis and Data Observability: Familiarize yourself with tools like Elasticsearch, Grafana, and InfluxDB to monitor and analyze your data pipelines effectively. This area leverages your comprehensive understanding of how systems communicate and operate, enhancing your ability to maintain and optimize data flows.
As you embark on this path, remember that your journey is unique. Your existing knowledge not only serves as a strong foundation but also as a catalyst for accelerating your growth in the realm of data engineering. Keep leveraging your strengths, explore areas of interest deeply, and continually adapt to the evolving landscape of data technology.
| Live Stream -> Data Engineering Roadmap for Computer Scientists / Developers |
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| In this live stream you'll find even more details how to read this roadmap for Data Scientists, why I chose these tools and why I think this is the right way to do it. |
| Watch on YouTube |
If you're diving into the world of data engineering or looking to climb the ladder within this field, you're in for a treat with this enlightening YouTube video. Andreas kicks things off by introducing us to a very handy tool they've developed: the Data Engineering Skills Matrix. This isn't just any chart; it's a roadmap designed to navigate the complex landscape of data engineering roles, ranging from a Junior Data Engineer to the lofty heights of a Data Architect and Machine Learning Engineer.
| Live Stream -> Data Engineering Skills Matrix |
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| In this live stream you'll find even more details how to read this skills matrix for Data Engineers. |
| Watch on YouTube |
Andreas takes us through the intricacies of this matrix, layer by layer. Starting with the basics, they discuss the minimum experience needed for each role. It's an eye-opener, especially when you see how experience requirements evolve from a beginner to senior levels. But it's not just about how many years you've spent in the field; it's about the skills you've honed during that time.
As the conversation progresses, Andreas delves into the core responsibilities and main tasks associated with each role. You'll learn what sets a Junior Data Engineer apart from a Senior Data Engineer, the unique challenges a Data Architect faces, and the critical skills a Machine Learning Engineer must possess. This part of the video is golden for anyone trying to understand where they fit in the data engineering ecosystem or plotting their next career move.
Then there's the talk on SQL knowledge and its relevance across different roles. This segment sheds light on how foundational SQL is, irrespective of your position. But it's not just about technical skills; the video also emphasizes soft skills, like leadership and collaboration, painting a holistic picture of what it takes to succeed in data engineering.
For those who love getting into the weeds, Andreas doesn't disappoint. They discuss software development skills, debugging, and even dive into how data engineers work with SQL and databases. This part is particularly insightful for understanding the technical depth required at various stages of your career.
And here's the cherry on top: Andreas encourages interaction, inviting viewers to share their experiences and questions. This makes the video not just a one-way learning experience but a dynamic conversation that enriches everyone involved.
By the end of this video, you'll walk away with a clear understanding of the data engineering field's diverse roles. You'll know the skills needed to excel in each role and have a roadmap for your career progression. Whether you're a recent graduate looking to break into data engineering or a seasoned professional aiming for a senior position, Andreas's video is a must-watch. It's not just a lecture; it's a guide to navigating the exciting world of data engineering, tailored by someone who's taken the time to lay out the journey for you.
Becoming a senior data engineer is a goal many in the tech industry aspire to. It's a role that demands a deep understanding of data architecture, advanced programming skills, and the ability to lead and communicate effectively within an organization. In this live stream series, I dove into what it takes to climb the ladder to a senior data engineering position. Here are the key takeaways. You can find the links to the videos and the shown images below.
The journey to becoming a senior data engineer starts with a clear understanding of what the role entails. Senior data engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining an organization's data architecture. They ensure data accuracy, accessibility, and security, often taking the lead on complex projects that require advanced technical skills and strategic thinking.
Based on insights from the live stream and consultations with industry experts, including GPT-3, here are the critical areas where aspiring senior data engineers should focus their development:
- Advanced Data Modeling and Architecture: Mastery of data modeling techniques and architecture best practices is crucial. This includes understanding of dimensional and Data Vault modeling, as well as expertise in SQL and NoSQL databases.
- Big Data Technologies: Familiarity with distributed computing frameworks (like Apache Spark), streaming technologies (such as Apache Kafka), and cloud-based big data technologies is essential. Advanced ETL Techniques: Skills in incremental loading, data merging, and transformation are vital for efficiently processing large datasets.
- Data Warehousing and Data Lake Implementation: Building and maintaining scalable and performant data warehouses and lakes are fundamental responsibilities.
- Cloud Computing: Proficiency in cloud services from AWS, Azure, or GCP, along with platforms like Snowflake and Databricks, is increasingly important.
- Programming and Scripting: Advanced coding skills in languages relevant to data engineering, such as Python, Scala, or Java, are non-negotiable.
- Data Governance and Compliance: Understanding data governance frameworks and compliance requirements is critical, especially in highly regulated industries.
- Leadership and Communication: Beyond technical skills, the ability to lead projects, communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical team members, and mentor junior engineers is what differentiates a senior engineer.
Becoming a senior data engineer requires continuous learning and real-world experience. Here are a few steps to guide your journey:
- Educational Foundation: Start with a strong foundation in computer science or a related field. This can be through formal education or self-study courses.
- Gain Practical Experience: Apply your skills in real-world projects. This could be in a professional setting, contributions to open-source projects, or personal projects.
- Specialize and Certify: Consider specializing in areas particularly relevant to your interests or industry needs. Obtaining certifications in specific technologies or platforms can also bolster your credentials.
- Develop Soft Skills: Work on your communication, project management, and leadership skills. These are as critical as your technical abilities.
- Seek Feedback and Mentorship: Learn from the experiences of others. Seek out mentors who can provide guidance and feedback on your progress.
| Live Stream -> How to become a Senior Data Engineer - Part 1 |
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| In this part one I talked about Data Modeling, Big Data, ETL, Data Warehousing & Data Lakes as well as Cloud computing |
| Watch on YouTube |
| Live Stream -> How to become a Senior Data Engineer - Part 2 |
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| In part two I talked about real time data processing, programming & scripting, data governance, compliance and data security |
| Watch on YouTube |
| Live Stream -> How to become a Senior Data Engineer - Part 3 |
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| In part 3 I focused on everything regarding Leadership and Communication: team management, project management, collaboration, problem solving, strategic thinking, communication and leadership |
| Watch on YouTube |
The path to becoming a senior data engineer is both challenging and rewarding. It requires a blend of technical prowess, continuous learning, and the development of soft skills that enable you to lead and innovate. Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance your career, focusing on the key areas outlined above will set you on the right path.