Blog

Writing from our team. The latest news, insights, and resources.

How to earn rewards by sharing the knowledge!

Referring a friend to something you genuinely believe in is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to create opportunities. With that in mind, we’re excited to introduce the Data Engineer Academy Referral Program—a way to reward you for sharing the benefits of industry-leading data engineering training with the people you know. We designed...

By: Chris Garzon | November 25, 2024 | 8 mins read
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How to host a website on AWS EC2

In today’s digital world, both individuals and businesses require a powerful website. However, finding a trustworthy hosting company is an important step in creating a website. Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2 provides a strong and scalable infrastructure for hosting websites, making it a great alternative for your hosting requirements. Step-by-step instructions for how to host...

By: ninad magdum | June 17, 2023 | 13 mins read
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System Design for Data Engineers: AI Agents Architecture

System Design for Data Engineers: AI Agents Architecture

System design for data engineers is no longer optional – it’s now the cornerstone of delivering robust, AI-driven data solutions in 2025. As data platforms become increasingly complex and AI applications become ubiquitous in analytics and products, data engineers must elevate their system design capabilities. In this comprehensive guide (building on our Beginner’s Guide to System Design),...

By: Chris Garzon | September 23, 2025 | 49 mins read
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top companies hiring for data engineers

Top Companies Hiring for Data Engineers in 2025: Fall Update

Fall 2025 is a fantastic time to be a data engineer. After a rollercoaster few years, demand for data engineering talent is surging again. The biggest names in tech – and even some old-school giants – are scrambling to fill data roles to power their next wave of innovation. But which employers are leading the...

By: Chris Garzon | September 19, 2025 | 45 mins read
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salary negotioation

Salary Negotiation for Data Engineers in 2025: Offers, Equity, and Counter-Offers

Quick takeaways: First, check out our students’ actual pay increases by reading the inspiring testimonies of career changers who increased their income after upskilling. In around five years, the income trajectory of one data engineer increased from about $60,000 to about $500,000. Negotiations and strategic employment changes (such as taking advantage of new offers and...

By: Chris Garzon | September 16, 2025 | 23 mins read
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the AI engineer skill map

The AI Data Engineer Skills Map: A 6-Month Plan to $150K+

The field of AI is exploding and behind every intelligent system is a robust data pipeline built by skilled data engineers. Businesses are currently vying for AI Data Engineers who can manage data, implement AI models, and maintain complex data infrastructure. These positions are so in-demand that seasoned Data Engineers frequently command salaries of $150K+....

By: Chris Garzon | September 12, 2025 | 23 mins read
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SQL AI Pipeline

SQL for AI Pipelines: From Analytic Tables to Vector Stores

Imagine that you have mastered SQL for years, creating dependable dashboards and robust ETL pipelines. All of a sudden, ChatGPT, vector databases, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) are the talk of the industry. You may be wondering if your abilities will still be useful in this brave new AI world if you’re a data professional considering...

By: Chris Garzon | September 9, 2025 | 18 mins read
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portfolio to paychecks

Portfolio to Paycheck: 7 Data Engineering Projects Hiring Managers Actually Want in 2025

How do you turn a data engineering portfolio into an actual paycheck? In the competitive 2025 hiring landscape, the answer is simple: show, don’t tell. Hiring managers are swamped with resumes listing Python, SQL, and cloud experience. What really makes you stand out is proof that you can use those skills to build real, working...

By: Chris Garzon | September 3, 2025 | 27 mins read
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AI-Optimized ETL Processes: How to Automate Data Transformation in 2025

AI-Optimized ETL Processes: How to Automate Data Transformation in 2025

AI-powered data modeling is transforming how data flows through modern information systems, gradually replacing traditional ETL processes—not just in large corporations but across the board. In 2025, your understanding of building and automating smart data models, along with the entire data transformation process, will determine whether you stand out or fall behind in interviews. Recruiters...

By: Chris Garzon | August 21, 2025 | 19 mins read
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How AI-Powered Data Modeling Will Replace Traditional ETL in 2025

How AI-Powered Data Modeling Will Replace Traditional ETL in 2025

Ready to level up your data engineering career? Your path to top-tier roles starts with the right skills, mapped to your goals. If you want to stand out in a sea of applicants and ace those tricky data engineer interview questions, a personalized learning plan is your best bet. Take the next step now and...

By: Chris Garzon | August 18, 2025 | 14 mins read
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Ready to level up your SQL? See the top advanced tips for 2025 every data engineer should know, explained in plain language with hands-on advice.

Advanced SQL: 2025 Tricks Every Data Engineer Should Know

Ready to step up and make your mark in the field? The expectations for data engineer interview questions are rising fast. Entry-level isn’t what it used to be. Hiring teams want to see your real-world SQL skills in action, especially when it comes to complex queries, optimization, and performance. This is your time to develop...

By: Chris Garzon | August 15, 2025 | 25 mins read
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Airbnb Data Engineer Interview

Ultimate Guide to Acing the 2025 Airbnb Data Engineer Interview

Looking to land your first data engineering job at Airbnb in 2025? You’re in the right spot. The path to a successful data engineer interview is tough, no question. Between technical screenings, hands-on problem solving, and questions built to test how you think, you’ll need a plan. Here’s the good news: you don’t have to...

By: Chris Garzon | August 13, 2025 | 20 mins read
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data engineer

Your First Year as a Data Engineer: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Take your first step toward a high-impact career with a personalized learning plan designed to make your journey smoother and faster. Focused training is the fastest way to bridge the gap from beginner to confident data engineer, especially when you’re aiming to stand out in a crowded field. Clear expectations help you avoid common pitfalls...

By: Chris Garzon | August 5, 2025 | 19 mins read
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data engineering

Make the Jump: Analyst to Data Engineer Explained

If you’re currently working as a data analyst and looking to take your career to the next level, becoming a data engineer might be the smartest move you can make in 2025. The demand for skilled data engineers continues to skyrocket as companies embrace AI-driven infrastructure and need robust pipelines to power real-time analytics, machine...

By: Chris Garzon | July 29, 2025 | 7 mins read
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Data Engineering Career

Data Engineering Career Paths in the AI Era

In the age of artificial intelligence, data has become the most valuable asset in the modern enterprise. But AI is only as good as the data that fuels it. Behind every intelligent application, predictive model, and automation system is a network of robust, scalable, and reliable data infrastructure built by data engineers. As organizations evolve...

By: Chris Garzon | July 22, 2025 | 5 mins read
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Get Hired Faster with These AI-Ready Skills

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant innovation — it’s now a driving force behind how organizations store, process, and extract value from data. As AI becomes deeply embedded into modern businesses, hiring managers in 2025 are no longer asking, “Does this person know AI?” They’re asking, “Is this person ready to work with AI?”...

By: Chris Garzon | July 16, 2025 | 6 mins read
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