Description:

In this conversation, Brad Cronkrite shares his journey from a developer to a lead data analytics engineer at Mercury Insurance. He discusses the critical role of data in the insurance industry, the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, and the importance of mentorship and self-awareness in career growth.

Brad also emphasizes the significance of maintaining a work-life balance and understanding the dynamics of introversion in the workplace. He shares insights on empowering analytics teams through dbt mesh and reflects on past data disasters that shaped his approach to data engineering.

Takeaways:

• Brad's journey in data began as a developer on a mainframe.
• Data is foundational in the insurance industry, influencing pricing and risk assessment.
• Empowering analytics teams with dbt mesh allows for greater flexibility and ownership.
• Finding your niche in data can lead to greater job satisfaction.
• Day-to-day work in data engineering involves project management and troubleshooting.
• AI can enhance workflows but must be used responsibly in decision-making.
• Data disasters can lead to valuable learning experiences and improved processes.
• Interviewing for data roles often reveals knowledge gaps that need addressing.
• Understanding introversion can improve team dynamics and productivity. Measuring success in data work involves visibility and trust from leadership.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Brad's Journey into Data
• 02:44 Navigating Imposter Syndrome
• 05:38 Data's Role in the Insurance Industry
• 08:22 Empowering Analytics Teams with dbt Mesh
• 10:58 Finding Your Niche in Data Engineering
• 13:27 The Structure of Brad's Data Team
• 16:10 Building a Robust CI/CD Pipeline
• 19:07 The Role of AI in Data Engineering
• 21:44 Navigating Data Disasters
• 24:15 Interview Insights and Challenges
• 26:53 Understanding Introversion in the Workplace
• 32:22 Proud Projects and Their Impact
• 36:03 Mentorship and Career Growth
• 37:14 Advice for Aspiring Data Professionals

Speakers:

• Guest: Brad Cronkrite, Lead Data Analytics Engineer, Mercury Insurance
• Host: Bolaji Oyejide, Community Manager at dbt Labs

We're Building the Future of Data. Together.

We've always believed the best way to get better at data is by sharing what you're learning. That's why we built the dbt Community—a place where data pros at every level can ask questions, debate ideas, and push each other forward.

It's not just about solving today's problems—it's about building what's next, together.

• Crowdsource solutions—70,000+ people who've been there, done that.
• Find your crew—meet others who use the same tools you do.
• Stay at the cutting edge—discussions, meetups, and game shows keep things fresh.

👉 Jump in and say hi—join the dbt Community now.

In this episode of Data Career Transformations, Bolaji interviews Millie Symns, a senior Business Intelligence analyst at JustWorks.

Millie shares her journey into the data field, emphasizing the importance of mission-driven work and the intersection of data and education. She discusses her current role, the challenges of communicating data insights to non-technical stakeholders, and the significance of mentorship in the data community.

Millie's insights on data literacy, measuring business impact, and the value of collaboration highlight the evolving landscape of data careers.

Chapters:

• 02:48 Millie's Journey into Data
• 05:36 The Intersection of Data and Mission-Driven Work
• 08:19 Millie's Data Origin Story
• 11:06 Current Role at JustWorks
• 13:47 Career Path and Previous Roles
• 16:32 Stakeholder Communication Challenges
• 19:09 Data Literacy and Its Impact
• 24:29 Understanding Data Through Personal Experience
• 28:18 The Pressure of Quick Answers in Data
• 29:10 Navigating Business Context as a Data Analyst
• 32:29 Celebrating Small Wins in Data Projects
• 35:51 Measuring Business Impact of Data Work
• 39:45 The Importance of Mentorship in Data Careers

Takeaways:

• Millie's journey into data began with a passion for education and access to resources.
• She emphasizes the importance of mission-driven work in the data field. Millie's first job involved education evaluation, which shaped her data career.
• She transitioned from nonprofit to corporate, bringing her mission focus with her.
• Millie values the role of data in solving collective issues rather than individual problems.
• Her current role at JustWorks involves helping stakeholders make data-driven decisions.
• Millie highlights the challenges of communicating data insights to non-technical stakeholders.
• Data literacy varies across industries and impacts the quality of stakeholder requests.
• Measuring the impact of data work is challenging but essential for data professionals.
• Mentorship is crucial for growth in the data field, both as a mentor and mentee.

Speakers:

• Guest: Millie Symns, Senior BI Analyst at JustWorks
• Host: Bolaji Oyejide, Community Manager at dbt Labs

We're Building the Future of Data. Together.

We've always believed the best way to get better at data is by sharing what you're learning. That's why we built the dbt Community—a place where data pros at every level can ask questions, debate ideas, and push each other forward.

It's not just about solving today's problems—it's about building what's next, together.

• Crowdsource solutions—70,000+ people who've been there, done that.
• Find your crew—meet others who use the same tools you do.
• Stay at the cutting edge—discussions, meetups, and game shows keep things fresh.

👉 Jump in and say hi—join the dbt Community now.

Description:

In this conversation, Bolaji and Johnathan "JB" Brooks discuss JB's journey from semi-pro baseball player to a data engineering leader at BetterHelp. They explore the balance between mental health and high-pressure environments, the importance of dbt and Kimball modeling in data engineering, and the evolving landscape of AI and machine learning.

JB shares insights on communication skills, measuring the value of data work, and the significance of understanding stakeholders. The discussion emphasizes the need for empathy and personal connection in professional success, along with practical advice for aspiring data professionals.

Takeaways:

• JB played semi-pro baseball and has a passion for mental health.
• The pressure of perfection can lead to mental health challenges.
• Mental health awareness is crucial in high-pressure environments.
• JB's career began in the insurance industry before transitioning to data engineering.
• He adopted dbt early on, recognizing its potential in data transformation.
• Machine learning and AI are rapidly evolving fields in data engineering.
• BetterHelp's mission aligns with JB's values and career goals.
• Communication skills are essential for data professionals to convey value.
• Understanding stakeholders is key to being a valuable data professional.
• Professional success should be defined by personal values, not external expectations.

Chapters:

• 00:00: Introduction to JB's Journey
• 06:09: Mental Health Awareness in High-Pressure Environments
• 09:09: JB's Career Beginnings in Insurance
• 10:33: Early Exposure to DBT and Data Engineering
• 11:24: Transitioning to Solutions Architect
• 13:18: Navigating the Data Engineering Landscape
• 19:49: Interview Insights and Lessons Learned
• 21:49: Joining BetterHelp and Work-Life Balance
• 24:21: The Impact of AI on Human Productivity
• 26:51: The Importance of Human Connection in Tech
• 27:41: Understanding Kimball Dimensional Modeling
• 29:46: Modern Applications of Kimball Modeling
• 31:21: Challenges and Pitfalls of Kimball Modeling
• 36:58: Team Structure and Collaboration in Data
• 37:55: Data Disasters and Lessons Learned
• 39:38: Proud Projects and Their Impact
• 40:58: Measuring the Value of Data Work
• 42:56: Honing Communication and Persuasion Skills
• 46:09: Defining Professional Success
• 50:55: Encouragement for Emerging Data Professionals

Speakers:

• Guest: Johnathan JB Brooks, former Director of Data Engineering at BetterHelp. (Now Principal Data & AI Architect at Astrodata)
• Host: Bolaji Oyejide, Community Manager at dbt Labs

We're Building the Future of Data. Together.

We've always believed the best way to get better at data is by sharing what you're learning. That's why we built the dbt Community—a place where data pros at every level can ask questions, debate ideas, and push each other forward.

It's not just about solving today's problems—it's about building what's next, together.

• Crowdsource solutions—70,000+ people who've been there, done that.
• Find your crew—meet others who use the same tools you do.
• Stay at the cutting edge—discussions, meetups, and game shows keep things fresh.

👉 Jump in and say hi—join the dbt Community now.

Description:

In this episode of Data Career Transformations, Bolaji interviews Eddy Zulkifly, a senior staff data engineer at Kanaxis.

They discuss Eddy's journey from chemical engineering to data engineering, his passion for soccer coaching, and the importance of community and mentorship in professional growth. Eddy shares insights on the role of Excel in business, the challenges of FinOps, and the significance of a growth mindset in both sports and data careers.

He emphasizes the value of learning in public and encourages data professionals to share their experiences and learn from one another.

Takeaways

• Eddy transitioned from chemical engineering to industrial engineering due to his interest in psychology and data analysis.
• Excel remains a crucial tool in business, often seen as the universal data language. Eddy's experience in supply chain management has greatly influenced his approach to data engineering.
• Coaching kids in soccer has taught Eddy the importance of tailoring strategies to individual needs.
• The concept of learning in public can accelerate personal and professional growth. Eddy believes in the importance of mentorship and community support in the data field.
• Understanding business requirements is key to effective data engineering. Eddy's team at Kanaxis is structured to promote collaboration across data lifecycle stages.
• Technical challenges in FinOps often involve cost allocation and resource tagging. Eddy aspires to lead a data team and build impactful data products in the future.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Data Career Transformations
• 02:47 Culinary Adventures in Malaysia and Singapore
• 05:41 The Joy of Coaching Soccer
• 08:29 From Chemical to Industrial Engineering
• 11:08 The Role of Excel in Business
• 13:51 Transitioning to Data Engineering
• 16:44 Understanding Kanaxis and Its Operations
• 19:23 The Structure of the Data Team at Kanaxis
• 22:12 Challenges in FinOps and Data Optimization
• 22:22 Navigating FinOps Challenges
• 25:12 Lessons from the Pandemic: Data Engineering at Home Depot
• 28:25 Proud Projects: Implementing Modern Data Stacks
• 30:52 Mentorship and Community in Data Engineering
• 34:12 Growth Mindset: Coaching and Learning
• 39:42 Future Aspirations in Data Engineering
• 41:46 Advice for Data Professionals

Speakers:

• Guest: Eddy Zulkifly, Senior Staff Data Engineer, Kinaxis
• Host: Bolaji Oyejide, Community Manager at dbt Labs

We're Building the Future of Data. Together.

We've always believed the best way to get better at data is by sharing what you're learning. That's why we built the dbt Community—a place where data pros at every level can ask questions, debate ideas, and push each other forward.

It's not just about solving today's problems—it's about building what's next, together.

• Crowdsource solutions—70,000+ people who've been there, done that.
• Find your crew—meet others who use the same tools you do.
• Stay at the cutting edge—discussions, meetups, and game shows keep things fresh.

👉 Jump in and say hi—join the dbt Community now.

In this episode, Bolaji Oyejide interviews Larissa Mendes, a Level 3 Data Engineer at Gupy, who shares her unique journey from mechanical engineering to data engineering.

Larissa discusses her experiences with data quality challenges, the importance of community support, and her current tech stack at Gupy. She also provides valuable insights on overcoming interview challenges and the significance of effective communication with stakeholders.

Larissa emphasizes the need for continuous learning and the power of networking in advancing one's career in data.

Takeaways:

• Larissa transitioned from mechanical engineering to data engineering by exploring her interest in programming.
• She faced challenges during her first technical interview but learned to move on from questions she couldn't answer.
• Building reliable data pipelines is a key aspect of her role as a data engineer.
• Data quality issues can significantly impact client trust and require careful management.
• Effective communication with stakeholders is crucial for delivering value through data.
• Larissa emphasizes the importance of community support for career growth in data.
• She encourages aspiring data professionals to find their passion and connect with like-minded individuals.
• Continuous learning and adapting to new technologies are essential in the data field.
• Larissa's proudest project involved migrating critical queries to dbt, improving developer experience.
• Networking and learning from others can enhance one's skills and career opportunities.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Larissa Mendes and Her Journey
• 05:48 From Mechanical Engineering to Data Engineering
• 12:32 The Transition to Data Engineering
• 17:33 Navigating Technical Interviews
• 19:57 Lessons Learned and Advice for Aspiring Data Engineers
• 20:35 Building Confidence in Professional Environments
• 21:34 Exploring the Tech Stack at Guppy
• 23:20 The Power of dbt in Data Engineering
• 24:51 Team Dynamics and Roles in Data Engineering
• 26:45 Learning from Data Disasters
• 29:23 Communicating Data Value to Stakeholders
• 31:34 Managing Stakeholder Expectations
• 34:12 Empathy in Data Requests
• 36:48 Proud Projects in Data Engineering
• 40:18 Advice for Advancing in Data Careers

Speakers:

• Guest: Larissa Mendes, Data Engineer II at Gupy
• Host: Bolaji Oyejide, Community Manager at dbt Labs

We're Building the Future of Data. Together.

We've always believed the best way to get better at data is by sharing what you're learning. That's why we built the dbt Community—a place where data pros at every level can ask questions, debate ideas, and push each other forward.

It's not just about solving today's problems—it's about building what's next, together.

• Crowdsource solutions—70,000+ people who've been there, done that.
• Find your crew—meet others who use the same tools you do.
• Stay at the cutting edge—discussions, meetups, and game shows keep things fresh.

👉 Jump in and say hi—join the dbt Community now.