Blog

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

Truth About Data Engineering Myths

The Truth About Data Engineering Myths in 2025

As data engineering continues to gain traction in the tech world, misinformation and outdated beliefs are holding too many aspiring professionals back. Whether it’s about needing a computer science degree or thinking you have to master every tool on the planet, these myths can derail your progress before you even begin. At Data Engineer Academy,...

By: Chris Garzon | July 11, 2025 | 6 mins read
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Learn Data Engineering in 2025

The Fastest Way to Learn Data Engineering in 2025

Breaking into data engineering has never been more achievable — or faster. In 2025, data engineering is poised to become one of the most in-demand and lucrative tech careers, with companies across various industries competing to hire skilled professionals. But what if you could go from beginner to hired data engineer in as little as...

By: Chris Garzon | July 8, 2025 | 19 mins read
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FAANG vs Startups: Data Engineering Career Guide

FAANG vs Startups: Data Engineering Career Guide

As a data engineer (or aspiring one), you face a pivotal career choice: join a tech giant or a nimble startup? Both paths offer incredible opportunities, yet they differ in key ways. At Data Engineer Academy, we often hear the question of FAANG vs. startups – which is the better path for a data engineering...

By: Chris Garzon | June 20, 2025 | 24 mins read
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DBT Project

Build a Real-World DBT Project: Step-by-Step Guide

Building a real-world data pipeline may seem daunting, especially for beginners. But with the right tools and a clear roadmap, you can set up a functioning end-to-end project on your own Windows machine. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of using VS Code, Docker Desktop, and WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) to create a comprehensive data...

By: Chris Garzon | June 17, 2025 | 25 mins read
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GPT vs BERT: Which Model Fits Your Use Case?

GPT vs BERT: Which Model Fits Your Use Case?

Modern Natural Language Processing (NLP) offers powerful transformer-based models, such as GPT and BERT, which each excel in different areas. If you’re exploring AI projects, understanding the architectures, capabilities, and ideal applications of these models will help you choose the right tool for the job. In this article, we provide a neutral comparison of GPT and BERT, with clear explanations...

By: Chris Garzon | June 13, 2025 | 12 mins read
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SQL for Data Engineers: Personalized Study Plan

SQL for Data Engineers: Personalized Study Plan

Every learner starts from a different place. Maybe you’re brand new to databases, or perhaps you’ve dabbled in analytics and want to solidify your SQL skills for engineering tasks. At Data Engineer Academy, the first step is understanding your starting point. We conduct a thorough skill gap analysis to identify what you know and what...

By: Chris Garzon | June 6, 2025 | 19 mins read
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Docker Fundamentals for Data Engineers: Key Concepts & Workflows

Docker is a platform designed to simplify the process of developing, shipping, and running applications by using container technology. Containers are lightweight, consistent environments that encapsulate everything an application needs to function, regardless of the underlying system. They enable developers to package their software with all required dependencies, ensuring it runs seamlessly across different computing...

By: Chris Garzon | June 6, 2025 | 12 mins read
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building a career

Building a Career in Data Engineering with AI Specialization

Are you considering a switch to data engineering and wondering how AI might fit in? You’re not alone. As AI technologies surge in popularity, the demand for skilled data engineers is rising in tandem. In fact, data engineering roles are projected to grow by 21% by 2028, adding hundreds of thousands of positions. This growth...

By: Chris Garzon | May 29, 2025 | 18 mins read
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Top Data Engineering Mistakes and How to Prevent Them

Mistakes are an inevitable part of any profession, and data engineering is no exception. Even the most experienced data engineers can fall into traps that affect the quality of data, disrupt project timelines, and ultimately impact business outcomes. The key to mastering your craft is not just in acknowledging that mistakes can happen but in...

By: Chris Garzon | May 26, 2025 | 15 mins read
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ChatGPT

ChatGPT in Data Pipelines: 5 Automation Tips

In the ever-evolving world of data engineering, efficiency is king. With the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, data professionals have new ways to automate tedious tasks and supercharge their workflows. For aspiring data engineers and seasoned pros alike, leveraging ChatGPT in your data pipelines can save time, reduce errors, and let you focus on...

By: Chris Garzon | May 20, 2025 | 8 mins read
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The Most Common Mistakes in System Design Interviews (And How to Avoid Them)

Preparing for a data engineering role? If so, you’ve likely heard that system design interviews are a big hurdle. In data engineering interviews, this isn’t about designing a generic web app or a social network – it’s about architecting data systems: think scalable pipelines, data warehouses, streaming platforms, and the like. These interviews test how...

By: Chris Garzon | May 16, 2025 | 38 mins read
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Grubhub SQL Interview Questions

Landing a data engineering role at Grubhub, a leader in the food delivery industry, demands more than just a cursory understanding of SQL. As the backbone of any data-related role, SQL is the primary tool used to manage, manipulate, and analyze data efficiently. In this guide, we’ll explore not only the types of SQL questions...

By: Chris Garzon | May 13, 2025 | 16 mins read
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AI Agents

The Rise of AI Agents: Implications for Data Engineers

Ever since tools like ChatGPT shocked the tech world with human-like conversations and code generation, a new wave of AI “agents” has emerged. These autonomous agents promise to handle complex tasks – from writing SQL queries to fixing pipeline errors – with minimal human intervention. If you’re a data engineer or an aspiring one (especially...

By: Chris Garzon | May 13, 2025 | 14 mins read
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Integrating LLMs

Integrating LLMs into ELT Pipelines: A 2025 Guide

In 2025, the enterprise adoption of large language models is skyrocketing as businesses double down on AI-driven automation and smarter data pipelines. With these powerful models becoming more accessible, data engineers have more opportunities than ever to elevate Extract-Load-Transform processes with intelligence. But let’s face it — figuring out how to weave LLMs into your...

By: Chris Garzon | May 8, 2025 | 35 mins read
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