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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Data Engineering Coaching

1-on-1 Data Engineering Coaching: How It Works

Are you dreaming of becoming a data engineer but unsure where to start? The Data Engineer Academy’s 1-on-1 Coaching Program is a proven path to learn how to code and land your dream data engineer role in as little as 3 months. This in-depth coaching experience is motivational, beginner-friendly, and results-driven, designed to take you...

By: Chris Garzon | June 25, 2025 | 9 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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5 Things to Know Before Becoming a Data Engineer

5 Things to Know Before Becoming a Data Engineer

So, you want to become a data engineer? Whether you come from a coding background or you’re entirely new to tech, the path to a data engineering career is open to you. Success in this field isn’t about having a specific degree or decades of experience — it’s about strategic action, making your skills visible,...

By: Chris Garzon | June 9, 2025 | 9 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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SQL Questions

SQL interview questions: Zoom

To succeed in a SQL interview for a position at Zoom, you need to have a nuanced understanding of how this technology supports the company’s data-driven initiatives. The interview assesses your ability to handle data efficiently, optimize queries for performance, and design robust database systems that align with Zoom’s operational excellence and innovation ethos. This...

By: Chris Garzon | May 15, 2025 | 19 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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