What Is the Best Career Path for Getting a Job as a Data Engineer?

The volume of data captured and consumed worldwide is growing at lightning speed – and it s showing no signs of stopping. From the 79 zettabytes of information created in 2021, the world is expected to produce a whopping 181 ZB of data by 2025, boosting the global data analytics market to a global value of $68 billion over the next three years.

This data is radically changing the way businesses operate, influence UX, take executive decisions, and manage day-to-day operations. Today, just over 55% of businesses have a system in place to harness big data – but the big data revolution is leaving no industry untouched. And data engineers are the figure companies need to collect, store, and use data. But what is the best route to securing the best data engineering jobs? Learn about your career options in this guide.

Data Engineering: What You Need To Know Before Taking This Career Path

With a growing number of companies looking to capture and use data to reach their goals, data engineers have never been so in demand. That is why it isn t surprising that, according to the DICE’s 2020 Tech Job Report, data engineer jobs have been growing at an annual rate of 50%, making this career the fastest-growing one in the tech sector.

Data engineers make a difference in the chances of success of a business by:

Building systems for collecting and storing data that are instrumental to the business s goals
Designing solutions and algorithms to analyze the information collected
Ensure that the raw data is converted and transformed into usable information for data scientists and analysts
Building and maintaining pipeline architectures, data warehouses, and data analysis tools

Ultimately, the role of data engineers is to apply their skills to collect data and elaborate information so that it can be evaluated by data science experts and data analysts.

What Career Path To Take to Become a Data Engineer?

Pursuing data engineering jobs comes with many benefits, including:

Availability of 100% remote positions
Plenty of different tasks to work on
Highly scalable skills and development opportunities
Average salary of $116,769

So, data engineers are in high demand and benefit from some of the highest compensation levels among tech jobs. But how do you become a successful data engineer? There is more than one path you can take. Here are some of your options.

Learn Skills You Need To Become a Data Engineer

Data engineering is a field born to respond to the increased need of businesses to understand and use data. Since data engineering only started to develop as a separate discipline 10 years ago, many established data engineers landed their position from different tech and data analysis backgrounds.

So, if you already have experience as a data scientist, programming, or data analysis, you might consider switching to a data engineering career path by filling the gaps in your skillset. Some of the must-have skills to become a data engineer include:

Proficiency in coding languages – including Python (especially important for Python Jobs), Java, Scala, R, and SQL
Database design for data storage – especially familiarity with relational and non-relational databases
Cloud storage and cloud computing solutions – such as Google Cloud and AWS
Cybersecurity and data protection – to work with cybersecurity teams and prevent data loss and theft
Data storage and big data tools – including data lakes, data warehouses, and tools used to highlight trends and patterns in big data sets, such as Apache Storm and Cassandra.
Machine learning, automation, and scripting – to work with large amounts of information
Extract, Transform, and Load systems – ETL systems are essential tools to work, transport, and process data

Earn a Relevant Degree

If finding data engineering jobs or network engineering jobs is your goal from the start of your career, you might consider earning a relevant degree in the field. In any case, a bachelor s degree in computer science or similar can offer you the foundations to build a successful career by integrating complementary skills.

Some degrees that can get you a step closer to your goal of becoming a data engineer include:

Computer science
Software engineering or development
Data engineering
Data science or data analysis
Computer engineering
Cybersecurity

General degrees such as Information Technology, Technology Management, and Programming can help you access DevOps jobs or cloud security jobs. But don t forget that most employers will also look for real-world experiences, such as internships.

Validate Your Skills With Certifications

If you have already acquired the essential skills to succeed as a data engineer, you might consider validating them by earning certifications. Investing in certifications allows you to immediately prove your skills in the eyes of potential employers.

Additionally, preparing for an exam allows you to confront your level of knowledge and hone your skills. If you are unsure about the best certifications to invest in, start by checking relevant job descriptions and listings.

Some options include:

Showcase Your Skills Through a Data Engineering Portfolio

Finding a job in today s economy might seem challenging – especially if you are just starting out. Indeed, most employers will be looking for a robust portfolio of projects to back up any claim on your resume. However, in the field of data engineering, there are many tools that you can use to create a portfolio that truly showcases your skills. These include:

A portfolio website
Your LinkedIn profile s Projects section
Free portfolio solutions such as GitHub and Kaggle
Guided projects to add to your portfolio

Your portfolio might include independently completed projects, as well as commissions, collaborations, and projects completed as part of coursework. Consider showing your code and hashed comments to help your recruiter understand and appreciate your thought process.

Finding The Best Career Path Towards a Data Engineering Job

Many data engineers don t start their careers in this exact field. For some, the starting point might be a database administrator position or more specialized Java developer jobs, or .Net jobs.

Additionally, regardless of your background, a degree isn t always necessary to find a rewarding data engineering job. But what is necessary are up-to-date skills, willingness to learn, and a solid foundation in computer science.

Ultimately, the career path you choose to access data engineering jobs should be suitable for your unique background and experience – just trust that there are plenty of data engineering opportunities to explore!

The post What Is the Best Career Path for Getting a Job as a Data Engineer? appeared first on Jobacle.com.

Published August 10, 2023

Building A Strong Community For Career Success: A Path To Elevate Your Trajectory

In a world where life’s challenges seem to test us at every turn, I embarked on a transformative journey over five years agoâa journey that has led me to embrace the power of an abundance mindset. As a thirty-something striving to find my way in a fast-paced and demanding world, I’ve learned firsthand that progress is a product of practice, patience (not exactly my forte), and rewiring my thought patterns. Yet, amid this personal evolution, I stumbled upon a game-changer, a hidden gem that propelled my growth to astonishing heights: community.

I’ve experienced firsthand how building a strong network of like-minded individuals who support and challenge you can elevate both your career and personal trajectory. It’s not just about having the right people in your network, but also knowing how to network effectively. Let’s dive into the key elements that can help you foster a community for your career and personal success.

Surrounding Yourself With The Right People

Happy coworkers at work

I’ve learned the importance of surrounding myself with diverse individuals who share my passions and vision. Seeking out mentors, colleagues, and friends who can offer valuable insights and constructive feedback has been invaluable to my professional growth. Beyond traditional settings, I’ve engaged with people from various industries and backgrounds to gain fresh perspectives.

Leveraging Social Media

Man uses social media to try to find the name of a hiring manager

In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become powerful tools for networking. Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and even TikTok have connected me with industry leaders, potential employers, and peers who share my interests. Engaging in meaningful conversations, sharing my expertise, and participating in relevant groups have allowed me to expand my reach and connect with like-minded professionals.

When utilizing social media, I can relate to those who are âover it.â However, branding yourself is imperative in this day and age, even in job search/career management. Here is a quick strategy I use to keep myself in check on my social media usage.

Think of this strategy like when you go to the grocery store. If you go in with a list, you give yourself guidelines to adhere to: get in, get what you need, get out! If you donât go with a list, things are forgotten, too many snacks are purchased and you blew your budget, and you may have to go back (eek!).

Making a simple strategy for leveraging social media will keep you focused on managing your time, protecting your mental and physical health, and keeping your productivity intact. Follow the “get in, get what you need, get out” strategyâit will keep your social media usage under control.

1.) Get in.

Lead with your content, expertise, or value-add that you want to share with your network. This provides information to your network about you, your expertise, your experiences, etc.

2.) Get what you need (networking is about supporting/nurturing others).

Create a cadence every day or week on how many reach-outs you will make. Whether it’s commenting, liking, or messaging other brands/connections, you are supporting another personâs efforts (also valuable to the trust, connection, and rapport of that individual/brand).

3.) Get out!

Log off or immediately swipe away the app on your phone so you arenât tempted to scroll. Just donât do it!

Attending Networking Events

Group of people at a networking event during the summer

Despite the digital era, face-to-face interactions remain crucial for building authentic connections. I’ve made it a point to attend conferences, seminars, workshops, and industry events to meet professionals in my field. Approaching these events with an open mind and a genuine interest in learning from others has helped me establish meaningful connections. Following up afterward to solidify those connections is essential.

Reciprocating And Offering Value

Manager talks to a colleague at work

Networking is a two-way street, and I’ve learned the importance of being willing to assist others in their professional pursuits. By offering insights and support, I’ve been able to build genuine relationships based on reciprocity and mutual trust. Giving back and nurturing my connections in my community has grown my confidence and has also strengthened my network.

Embracing Authenticity And Vulnerability

Woman talks to a colleague about community in her career

I have been inspired by so many different people across many industries. Why? Their authenticity and vulnerability. What you think it took to get where they are is only the tip of the iceberg on their true journey. Remember that for EVERY individual you encounter. Embracing my own journey, including the challenges I’ve faced and the lessons I’ve learned, has allowed me to foster genuine connections with others. Sharing my story has not only inspired others but also deepened the sense of community we share.

Adopting A Growth Mindset

Happy man at work adopts a growth mindset

Approaching networking with a growth mindset has been crucial for my development. Being open to new experiences, challenges, and opportunities and viewing setbacks as learning experiences rather than failures has helped me adapt and grow in my career. Can we just get rid of the word “failure”? (Asking for a friend!)

Elevating My Online Presence

Woman sends a message to a LinkedIn connection with her phone

I’ve taken steps to ensure that my online presence reflects my professional brand. Crafting a well-designed LinkedIn profile and curating content, practicing being on video (I prefer behind the camera but oh well), and maintaining consistent social media activity have enhanced my credibility and given me even more opportunities to connect with others.

Listening And Learning

Diverse group of professionals/coworkers listen and talk to each other during a work meeting

I’ve come to understand that effective networking involves active listening. STOP! Read that again! Taking the time to understand the perspectives and experiences of others and learning from their successes and challenges has enriched my own knowledge and understanding.

In conclusion, building a community for your career is about more than just collecting contacts; it’s about creating meaningful connections that support your growth and elevate your trajectory. Surrounding myself with the right people, being authentic and vulnerable, and contributing value to my community has been the key to growth. I now understand that success is not a solitary journey but a collective effort toward mutual growth and prosperity.

Ready to take your career to new heights? Start by building a community that fuels your success. Connect with like-minded individuals, embrace authenticity, and make a difference.