Uncovering 7 Excellent YouTube Channels for Data Engineering
Written on
Chapter 1 - The Growth of Data Engineering on YouTube
In the early part of last year, the landscape of data engineering content on YouTube was relatively sparse. While there were a few creators discussing this niche, the majority of videos centered around data science, algorithms, and machine learning. However, as the year progressed, there was a noticeable uptick in creators focusing on data engineering. Some of these YouTubers highlighted the increasing job opportunities in this field, while others, including myself, began producing content aimed at aspiring data engineers. This article aims to showcase some outstanding YouTube channels that are worth exploring!
Section 1.1 - Zack Wilson
I first discovered Zack Wilson through a LinkedIn post and eagerly awaited the launch of his YouTube channel. By the end of 2021, he made his debut. In one of his initial videos, Zack tackles the question of whether data engineers should learn Scala. He effectively outlines the advantages and disadvantages of Scala, pointing out that while it allows for a more software engineering-centric approach to data pipelines, only a limited number of positions genuinely require Scala expertise.
Section 1.2 - Andreas Kretz
Andreas Kretz is often regarded as a pioneer in the data engineering YouTube community. Over the years, he has produced a wealth of content on the subject. Recently, I enjoyed his commentary on videos where companies dissected their data infrastructures. Andreas brings a wealth of practical experience, as demonstrated in his review of the AWS architecture utilized by Nielsen, which processes up to 55TB of data daily. His insights into tools like Apache Spark, RDS, AWS Lambda, and SQS offer valuable lessons in data engineering.
Subsection 1.2.1 - Darshil Parmar
Darshil has been generating a significant amount of valuable content over the past year. He shares his journey from working at companies to embracing freelancing, covering essential topics for newcomers. In his recent video, he explores questions such as:
- How did I embark on my data engineering career?
- What skills are essential for data engineering?
- What steps should I take to secure a job in this field?
With the rapid growth of data analysis, professionals who can manage this domain are increasingly in demand. Darshil discusses the crucial skills needed for success in data engineering, including effective data storage and access.
Chapter 2 - Additional Noteworthy Channels
Section 2.1 - Seattle Data Guy (Myself)
Naturally, I must include my own channel in this list. I've been enjoying the process of creating videos centered around data engineering, primarily focusing on content suitable for early-career professionals. However, I plan to explore broader topics in the upcoming year, including data infrastructure and various tools such as dbt, Trino, and Airflow. One of my recent videos reviews some of my favorite books on data engineering, which could be beneficial for newcomers in this field.
Section 2.2 - Karolina Sowinska
Karolina Sowinska has been a long-time contributor to the data YouTube community. While her content spans various topics, she also features classic data engineering tutorials. For instance, she has an excellent introductory video on Airflow that covers installation and scheduling your first ETL job.
Section 2.3 - Mehdio
Although Mehdio is new to the YouTube scene, his fresh perspective on data engineering is a welcome addition. Despite having just a couple of videos, I anticipate his channel will expand in the next year. His core video delves into the historical evolution of data engineering and speculates on its future trajectory.
Section 2.4 - E-Learning Bridge
Shashank Mishra, a data engineer with experience at Amazon, McKinsey & Company, and PayTm, leverages his extensive background to create informative videos for aspiring data engineers. In his recent video, he discusses key SQL topics essential for preparing for FAANG interviews.
Section 2.5 - Bonus: Ken Jee
Though Ken Jee typically focuses on data science, he recently produced a video centered on data engineering. In this video, he elaborates on the increasing demand for data engineers and its implications for data scientists. This content provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges companies face in deriving value from their data strategies.
Conclusion - Is Data Engineering Right for You?
After exploring these fantastic channels, you may be wondering whether you should pursue a career in data engineering. This is a personal decision only you can make. Are you interested in creating data pipelines and automating data systems? Do you envision yourself as a bridge between application developers and analytical teams? Hopefully, the videos mentioned above will help you gain a clearer understanding of what being a data engineer entails and how to advance your career in this exciting field. Thank you for reading!