How to become a Data Engineer

Becoming a Data Engineer is an in-demand career path. It requires deep expertise in Data Engineering and a strong network to carry you along. Here are some resources to help you on your journey.

Browse Data Engineering experts

Companies Companies

Why should you become a 
Data Engineer?

Data Engineer

Demand for experts in Data Engineering is growing rapidly. Companies are looking for people with deep expertise in the field of Data Engineering to help them build their products and services.

As a result, Data Engineers are in high demand and command high salaries. According to leading sources, the median salary for a Data Engineer is $110,000 and a senior Data Engineer can earn up to $140,000. Even entry-level positions can command great salaries.

No wonder that interest in a career in Data Engineering is growing rapidly. Explore the resources below to learn more about how to become a Data Engineer.

Best books to build Data Engineering understanding.

A well-written and thorough book can be an amazing path to build deeper understanding and also act as a handbook as you discover the internet's vast resources.

These are our and our experts top picks to get started building career-relevant skills.

Designing Data-Intensive Applications

Data is at the center of many challenges in system design today. Difficult issues need to be figured out, such as scalability, consistency, reliability, efficiency, and maintainability. In addition, we have an overwhelming variety of tools, including relational databases, NoSQL datastores, stream or batch processors, and message brokers. What are the right choices for your application? How do …

Advanced Topics in Database Research

Advanced Topics in Database Research is a series of books on the fields of database, software engineering, and systems analysis and design. They feature the latest research ideas and topics on how to enhance current database systems, improve information storage, refine existing database models, and develop advanced applications.

The Data Warehouse Toolkit

One of the most dramatic new developments in database design, the dimensional data warehouse is a powerful database model that.significantly enhances managers' ability to quickly analyze large, multidimensional data sets. Written by the leading proponent of this revolutionary new approach, this valuable book/CD toolkit outfits you with all the nuts-and-bolts information you need to design, bui…

Big Data

Big Data teaches you to build big data systems using an architecture that takes advantage of clustered hardware along with new tools designed specifically to capture and analyze web-scale data. It describes a scalable, easy-to-understand approach to big data systems that can be built and run by a small team. Following a realistic example, this book guides readers through the theory of big data…

Data Pipelines Pocket Reference

Data pipelines are the foundation for success in data analytics. Moving data from numerous diverse sources and transforming it to provide context is the difference between having data and actually gaining value from it. This pocket reference defines data pipelines and explains how they work in today's modern data stack.

Database and Expert Systems Applications

The Database and Expert Systems Application -DEXA - conferences are mainly oriented to establish a state-of-the art forum on Database and Expert System applications. But Practice without Theory has no sense, as Leonardo said five centuries ago. In this Conference we try a comprornise between these two complementary aspects. A total of 5 sessions are application-oriented, ranging from classical…

Find more resources

Courses to deepen your Data Engineering skills.

These days, courses are no longer a sequence of videos. They are usually accompanied by projects and a learning community, keeping you accountable and on the path.

Our experts recommend these courses, from free selections to paid programs.

Data Engineering Career Path

Data engineering has seen explosive growth recently as more industries depend on data to drive key business decisions. Take advantage of the surge in demand by becoming a data engineer with Dataquest.

Data engineering and smart analytics

The need for data analysis skills grew by 86% from 2013 to 2018. 1 Become data-driven with Google Cloud. Leverage data and gain real-time insights that improve your decision-making and accelerate innovation. Learn how to design and build data processing systems.

Data Engineering

Learn to design data models, build data warehouses and data lakes, automate data pipelines, and work with massive datasets. At the end of the program, you’ll combine your new skills by completing a capstone project.

Advanced Database Administration

Learn the fundamentals of administering relational database management systems, including managing concurrency and creating objects in the database

Get help with your learning journey

Learning through online courses can be challenging. Get 1:1 guidance from an experienced mentor who can help you stay accountable and answer your questions along the way.

Data Engineering Foundations

Build the Foundation for a Data Engineering Career. Develop hands-on experience with Python, SQL, and Relational Databases and master the fundamentals of the Data Engineering ecosystem.

Data Integration Guide

Learn how data can be integrated : following which principles and for what business outcomes

Top Data Engineering Certifications

Mastering the fundamentals of Data Engineering will help you earn valuable certifications. Our expert mentors can guide you through the certification process and help strengthen your knowledge.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate

Hosted by learn.microsoft.com

Demonstrate understanding of common data engineering tasks to implement and manage data engineering workloads on Microsoft Azure, using a number of Azure services.

Prices start at $165.

Data Engineering Certification Coaching

Hosted by mentorcruise.com

Consider reaching out to a coach specialized in Data Engineering certifications. They can help you prepare for your exam, and provide you with the necessary resources to succeed. MentorCruise is the best place to find a coach for your Data Engineering certification. Here are a few top picks:

IBM Data Engineering Professional Certificate

Hosted by coursera.org

Prepare for a career as a Data Engineer. Build job-ready skills – and must-have AI skills – for an in-demand career. Earn a credential from IBM. No prior experience required.

Prices start at Free.

Google Professional Data Engineer Certification

Hosted by cloud.google.com

A Professional Data Engineer makes data usable and valuable for others by collecting, transforming, and publishing data. This individual evaluates and selects products and services to meet business and regulatory requirements. A Professional Data Engineer creates and manages robust data processi…

AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate Certification

Hosted by aws.amazon.com

AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate validates skills and knowledge in core data-related AWS services, ability to ingest and transform data, orchestrate data pipelines while applying programming concepts, design data models, manage data life cycles, and ensure data quality.

Prices sta…

Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Data Engineer Professional Certificate

Hosted by coursera.org

Google’s Cloud Data Engineer Professional Certificate is a flexible online certificate program that provides you with a strong foundation in key big data and machine learning products in Google Cloud in five months or less. It incorporates hands-on labs using Qwiklabs. Designed for professionals…

Data Engineering Workshop

Hosted by mentorcruise.com

Consider joining a workshop specialized in Data Engineering. Workshops are a great way to learn new skills, and get hands-on experience. MentorCruise is the best place to find a workshop for your Data Engineering certification. Here are a few top picks:

Meta Database Engineer Professional Certificate

Hosted by coursera.org

Meta’s Database Engineer Professional Certificate is a flexible online certificate program that prepares learners for entry-level database engineering roles in six months or less. Designed for beginners, you’ll learn the key skills required to create, manage, and manipulate databases, along with…

Get the guidance you need to become a Data Engineer

There is no better source of accountability and motivation than having a personal mentor. What used to be impossible to find is now just two clicks away! All mentors are vetted & hands-on!

Only 2 Spots Left

Supercharge your transition into data engineering with Gaurav, a passionate Senior Data Engineer at Amazon. With 10 years of experience, Gaurav excels in designing data platforms, implementing architectures like Data lake, Lakehouse, and Data mesh. Expertise in building cloud-based platforms, data pipelines, and ensuring governance and security. Benefit from Gaurav's …

$180 / month
  Chat
2 x Calls
Tasks

Only 2 Spots Left

Experienced Data Engineering professional with very strong Data Analytics,SQL,Data reporting skills.Experience with Big data technologies Hadoop,Hive and Spark. Can mentor with career, interviews ,growth ,opportunities and any kind of general advise. If you are venturing/starting or planning to move into data engineering role (or moving from a ETL role ), …

$160 / month
  Chat
Regular Calls
Tasks

Only 2 Spots Left

9+ yrs of rich experience in implementing Data Engineering, Data Lake, Data Warehousing, and Data Platform Modernization solutions in Fortune 500 clients across CPG, Insurance, and Banking domain I am Azure & Snowflake Certified professional skilled with Azure Data Factory, Databricks, Pyspark, Snowflake, Informatica Powercenter, SQL, Oracle, Data Warehousing, PL/SQL …

$60 / month
  Chat
2 x Calls
Tasks

Only 4 Spots Left

I have 12+ years of working in successful and failed startups with focus on DataEngineering, MachineLearning. I have deep understanding of SaaS products. In last year or so I have focused myself on clean-tech (climate-tech, clean-energy, climate-crisis). I am leading engineering teams and projects for years. I have work experience …

$120 / month
  Chat
1 x Call
Tasks

Only 2 Spots Left

🚀 Are you yearning to embark on a thrilling career shift into the Data/ML domain, yet uncertain about where to begin? 🔎 Seeking guidance on navigating a career change? ⭐️ In pursuit of your dream job and need expert assistance to make it a reality? 📈 Eager to advance your …

$240 / month
  Chat
2 x Calls
Tasks

Only 1 Spot Left

I am a Data Engineer with several years of experience at companies big and small. I formerly worked at Chime, Zoox (Amazon's self driving company), Instagram, and RocketLawyer. I've done extensive work in almost all aspects of Data Engineering including the infrastructure and platform side, pipelining, modeling, and warehousing side, …

$150 / month
  Chat
1 x Call
Tasks

Browse all Data Engineering mentors

Tips from the Data Engineering blog

Learn more about Data Engineering with our expert advice.

Kickstarting Your Data Engineering Career: A Guide for Freshers and Software Engineers

Data engineering is a fast-evolving field that blends software engineering, data management, and analytics to create and manage data pipelines and infrastructure. Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned software engineer looking to pivot, diving into data engineering offers both excitement and rewards. Here's how you can get started on this journey.

Harnessing the Power of Cloud for Data Engineering and Analytics

Discover the transformative potential of cloud-based data engineering and analytics in our comprehensive guide. Uncover the scalability, cost-efficiency, and cutting-edge innovations offered by cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Embark on a journey to master the skills needed for your next data engineering role.

Want to Transition into a Data Engineering Role? Here's How!

Learn why data engineering is critical for enterprises, explore different roles and responsibilities, and follow a comprehensive learning path to success. This blog post will empower you to unlock the world of data engineering and propel your career to new heights. Don't miss out on this opportunity to become a data engineering expert!

Still not convinced?
Don’t just take our word for it

We’ve already delivered 1-on-1 mentorship to thousands of students, professionals, managers and executives. Even better, they’ve left an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 for our mentors.

Find a mentor
  • "Naz is an amazing person and a wonderful mentor. She is supportive and knowledgeable with extensive practical experience. Having been a manager at Netflix, she also knows a ton about working with teams at scale. Highly recommended."

  • "Brandon has been supporting me with a software engineering job hunt and has provided amazing value with his industry knowledge, tips unique to my situation and support as I prepared for my interviews and applications."

  • "Sandrina helped me improve as an engineer. Looking back, I took a huge step, beyond my expectations."

Ready to see what mentorship can do for you?