#082 Reading Tweets With Apache Nifi & IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS

In this Hero Talk episode, I talk with Mezue, a seasoned Data Engineer with expertise in Azure Databricks Data Engineering. We cover his journey from Electrical Engineering to Data Engineering and discuss the key skills, like Python, SQL, and Spark, that are essential in the field. Mezue also shares his experience running an Azure Databricks bootcamp and offers advice on how to break into Data Engineering, especially in Cloud environments. We also touch on the challenges of finding junior roles and how to stand out by working on practical projects.

In this Hero Talk episode, I chat with Susan Walsh, the “Classification Guru,” known for her expertise in cleaning and classifying messy data. We dive into her unexpected journey into the data world, starting with a spend analytics job, and how that led to her founding her own business focused on dirty data. Susan shares the unique challenges businesses face with poor data quality, explaining why 99.9% of data problems are actually people problems. We also explore practical ways to deal with these issues, such as finding those "crappy" data cleaning jobs to gain experience, and the importance of consistent data maintenance to prevent future headaches. From addressing dirty CRM systems to battling fraud, Susan’s stories highlight how critical clean data is for business success.

In this Hero Talk episode, I sit down with Paolo Lulli, an experienced Data Engineer, to explore some of the core challenges and decisions in API development and data management. We dive deep into the debate between serverless infrastructure versus traditional servers, discussing the pros and cons of both approaches, particularly in the context of scalability, cost, and maintenance. Paolo also shares his hands-on experience with time series databases, explaining their advantages in handling massive amounts of data from IoT devices. We delve into vendor lock-in issues, highlighting how relying too heavily on cloud providers like AWS or Azure can impact long-term flexibility.

In this episode of the Plumbers of Data Science podcast, I’m diving into why testing can be so challenging for data engineers. The inspiration for this topic actually came from one of my recent Coaching sessions, where the question of test-driven development (TDD) came up during a Q&A. It stuck with me, so I thought it would be a great topic to dive deeper into. I’ll explain the key benefits of TDD, like improved code quality and easier refactoring, and why, despite its advantages, it’s not always widely adopted—especially in fast-paced environments where time constraints dominate. We’ll also talk about the specific challenges data engineers face with TDD, such as handling large, unpredictable data, integrating with external systems, and adapting to ever-changing data.

In this Hero Talk episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of synthetic data, a critical tool for development, testing, and training Machine Learning models. Joining me is Mario Scriminaci, Chief Product Officer at Mostly AI, who shares his expertise on how synthetic data can revolutionize the way we handle sensitive information, particularly in the context of privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA. We discuss the real-world applications of synthetic data, how it differs from traditional mock data, and its potential to drive innovation in AI and ML development. Mario also introduces Mostly AI's cutting-edge tools, highlighting how they make it easier than ever to generate realistic, privacy-safe datasets.

In this episode of the Plumbers of Data Science podcast, I’m diving into the debate between bootcamps and coaching programs, especially for those looking to advance in Data Engineering. I’ll break down the pros and cons of each approach - from the structured, intensive nature of bootcamps to the personalized, flexible support of coaching, I’ll share insights to help you choose the right path for your career. I’ll also discuss the experiences of my current coaching students and what I’m focusing on to help them achieve their goals.

In this episode of the Plumbers of Data Science podcast, I’m diving into what truly matters when building data platforms and pipelines. As engineers, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest tools, but real success starts with understanding your data sources and defining clear goals. I’ll walk you through the key questions to ask, from data retention to processing speeds and user needs.

In this episode, we explore the essentials of learning and mastering Apache Spark. Joining me is Philip, an experienced Spark developer and educator, who shares his expert roadmap for becoming proficient in Spark. We discuss why Spark is a crucial tool for data engineers, how to set it up effectively, and the best approaches to start your Spark journey. Philip also highlights the importance of understanding Spark's internals, deploying real-world applications, and optimizing performance. He walks us through his six-part roadmap, focusing on hands-on practice and building confidence through real-world projects. We also touch on key topics like the Scala vs. Python debate, Spark's role in machine learning, and how it stands against emerging tools like Beam.

In this Hero Talk episode, we explore the crucial topic of data observability, a field that has become essential for Data Engineers dealing with complex data pipelines. I am joined by my special guest Ryan Yackel from DataBand, who shares his insights and expertise on the subject. Ryan delves into the concept of data observability and its significance for Data Engineers, addressing common challenges faced in monitoring and maintaining data pipelines. He explains how DataBand helps in monitoring and improving data reliability, ensuring that data flows smoothly from source to destination.

In this episode of the Plumbers of Data Science podcast, I’m breaking down the real deal of working as a data engineer in Germany. Does it live up to the hype? Sure, we’ve got free education and solid health insurance, but what’s the actual cost of living here, and how much of your salary do you really take home after taxes? I’ll walk you through the numbers—from what you can expect to earn, to the surprising deductions that quickly eat away at your paycheck. Plus, I’ll explain why companies in Germany struggle with high labor costs and how that impacts your wallet.