SQL Insights: In Conversation With Keith Mascarenhas, Data Engineering Expert

Today, I'm speaking with Keith Mascarenhas , a seasoned Data Engineer and Manager at Unity who passed our rigorous SQL Assessment and earned the Certificate of Competency in SQL. Join us as we explore Keith's career development, insights, and the expertise that establishes him as a true SQL expert.

Please tell us a bit about yourself and how you first got into data engineering.

I'm Keith Mascarenhas and I currently lead a data engineering team at Unity. With over 17 years of experience in data, my journey has been one of continuous evolution and learning.?

My career in data began as a PL/SQL developer, specializing in Oracle Databases. In those early days, I focused on leveraging data to enhance customer satisfaction by identifying target audiences for surveys, based on insurance claims processes. This initial foray laid the foundation for my passion for transforming data into actionable insights.

As my career progressed, I transitioned into full-fledged Data Warehousing, mastering Dimensional Modeling, ETL processes, and BI Reporting. Collaborating with diverse clients across industries, I honed my ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions, utilizing tools such as Informatica, Oracle Data Integrator, and Oracle BI Apps, to name a few.

The advent of Big Data marked a pivotal phase in my journey in 2016. Eager to broaden my skill set, I joined a startup where I immersed myself in cutting-edge technologies like Hadoop, Hive, Spark, and HBase. As part of the professional services team, I implemented solutions and delved into various cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, Azure, and various Hadoop distributions.

My subsequent role at a growth-based product company allowed me to work extensively with data lakes and develop robust data pipelines using engineering principles. These pipelines were crucial in driving data-informed decision-making processes, contributing significantly to the company's success.

In each career step, I've remained committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements and delivering tangible value through data-driven insights. I'm still excited and passionate to continue on this journey.?

How long have you been working with SQL and what do you typically use it for?

Since day one of my career, until this very moment, SQL has been my trusty sidekick! It's the Swiss Army knife of data management, easily serving many purposes. I utilize SQL across various scenarios like ad-hoc analysis, sculpting data models to showcase insights efficiently, crafting features for denormalized data assets that fuel machine-learning models, aiding in debugging when metrics falter, or keeping a watchful eye on data infrastructure and pipeline costs over time.

SQL isn't just a tool: it's the backbone of my data endeavors, helping me navigate the complexities of data management and analysis with finesse.

Could you specify the particular IT or data-related domains you're interested in enhancing your skills in or looking to explore more deeply?

I'm all about exploring how open-source tools and tech play a role in scaling data pipelines in large organizations. It's fascinating to see how these tools can work together to handle massive amounts of data and keep everything running smoothly.

Let's talk about data lakes, lakehouses, and mesh architectures. They're all about how we organize, store, and access data on a big scale. I'm curious to learn more about how these setups can make our lives easier and our data more useful.

And remember the magic when data engineering joins forces with Machine Learning. I'm all in for exploring how we can strengthen this partnership even more, from optimizing data pipelines to deploying machine learning models with finesse.

So yeah, those are the areas I'm eager to dive deeper into. There's a ton of cool stuff to learn and plenty of opportunities to shake things up in the data world!

What inspired you to undertake the SQL Assessment initially? Was your goal to evaluate your abilities, or were you primarily seeking to obtain the certificate?

I wanted to see where I'd land on the below bell curve. And let me tell you, I was thrilled to find myself standing out!?

The assessment itself felt well-structured, checking my level in two key areas: fundamentals and reporting. The post-assessment part provided a clear roadmap for improvement, highlighting areas that need a bit of polish. What's even better is that LearnSQL.com offers tailored recommendations for courses to help shore up those weaker areas. It's like having a personal roadmap to mastering SQL -can't beat that!

Could you provide some details on your preparation process for the SQL Assessment and the approaches that helped you get such a high score?

Before tackling the assessment head-on, I decided to give my skills a little tune-up. First, I dove into the Window Functions course, which was a fantastic refresher. It offered practical insights into key concepts, which proved invaluable. Additionally, I took on the January 2024 monthly SQL challenge . This hands-on experience provided real-world scenarios to sink my teeth into. I dedicated some time to thoroughly engage with these preparatory materials before taking the SQL assessment.

For anyone looking to sharpen their SQL prowess, take the assessment to have a baseline understanding of where you stand and then leverage the recommendations provided by the platform to polish those skills. I also highly recommend platforms like datalemur.com , stratascratch.com , and leetcode.com to practice SQL. These platforms offer a wealth of practice opportunities to fine-tune your skills and tackle SQL challenges head-on. Trust me, the more you practice, the more confident you'll become in your SQL abilities! Practice makes perfect!

Which areas did you find most challenging during the SQL Assessment?

Overall, I found the assessment to be a comprehensive evaluation of SQL concepts, challenging me to apply my skills in practical scenarios. While I navigated most areas smoothly, I encountered some difficulty with complex SQL reporting, particularly around Recursive queries , if memory serves me right.

What I appreciated most about the assessment was its proactive approach to improvement. Upon completion, the platform offered tailored recommendations to strengthen my weaker areas. While the assessment highlighted areas for growth, it also equipped me with the tools and direction needed to refine my SQL skills further. It's this combination of assessment and support that fosters continuous learning and development.

As someone who has successfully worked as a Data Engineer for several years, what advice would you give to aspiring Data Engineers or individuals considering a career shift into data-related roles?

For anyone thinking about diving into the world of Data Engineering, here's some advice from someone who's been in the trenches for a while:?

Strengthen the fundamentals. SQL, Coding, Data Modeling, and Data Pipeline Architectures (Lambda, Kappa, etc.) and Principles (Idempotency, backfills, etc.) are the key fundamentals that you need to invest in.?

Never stop learning! The data field and ecosystem move fast, so stay curious and keep adding new skills to your toolbox. Whether it's through online courses, hands-on projects, or just tinkering with new tech, there's always something new to discover.

Get your hands dirty. Nothing beats real-world experience. Jump into projects: there are a lot of projects that you can find on YouTube and LinkedIn that people are trying out. Try them out, but take them a notch up. Another area is that you can even contribute to open-source stuff. The more you get your hands dirty, the more you'll learn.

Network like your career depends on it. Connect with like-minded folks in the industry, join online communities, and don't be shy about reaching out for advice or opportunities. You never know where a conversation might lead!

Remember the soft stuff! You need to know your tech stuff, but soft skills are just as essential. Communication, problem-solving, teamwork -all that good stuff will take you far.

Embrace the unknown. Data Engineering can be a wild ride, but that's part of the fun! Be bold, take on new challenges, and step out of your comfort zone. You might just surprise yourself.

My two cents for anyone considering a career in Data Engineering . Dive in and enjoy the ride!?

The demand for skilled professionals in data-related positions has surged notably. What will give a competitive advantage in 2024?

I strongly believe that grasping the intricacies of the business landscape is paramount for any skilled data professional looking to excel. It's not just about crunching numbers; it's about understanding the underlying business objectives and translating them into actionable insights.

Marrying technical prowess with a keen understanding of the business context enables data engineers to deliver tangible value through reliable data pipelines and efficient data models. This means going beyond technical proficiency and actively engaging with stakeholders to uncover key insights that drive strategic decision-making. It's this holistic approach that truly sets skilled professionals apart in the ever-evolving data landscape.

Thank you for the interview.?

Feeling inspired? Take the opportunity to assess where your SQL skills stand. Visit LearnSQL.com and try the free SQL Skills Assessment to see whether you can secure your Certificate of Competency in SQL.

Author: Jakub Romanowski

Jakub was a journalist for various news television stations for many years. Then, he fell in love with programming, and it changed his life. At Vertabelo, he attracts and retains clients through content marketing. In his free time, he enjoys playing football with his son, reading science fiction, training in martial arts, and cooking for his family and friends.