In this episode of Stories from the Hackery, we talk with Nashville tech leader and hiring manager Jason Turan about one of tech's most in-demand fields: data engineering.

Jason, a long-time friend of NSS, was one of the first people to tell us that Nashville needed more data engineers. He shares his perspective on what a data engineer does, describing the role as the "connective tissue between data producers and data consumers".

Listen in to hear us discuss:
- Why data engineers are essential for flipping the 80/20 rule, allowing data scientists and analysts to spend less time cleaning data and more time finding insights.
- How the rise of generative AI has acted as an "accelerant," increasing the need for high-quality data and the professionals who can provide it.
- Actionable advice for getting started in the field, including the importance of focusing on a "T-shaped skillset" with SQL at its core.
- Why Jason's number one piece of advice is to be curious, experiment, and "go out and do the thing".

01:20 Meet Jason Turan: His Tech Origin Story
03:04 Jason's History with NSS and Hiring Grads
07:28 Defining Data Engineering: The "Connective Tissue" of Tech
11:15 Why Nashville is a Hub for Data Engineers
13:56 Healthcare's Impact on Nashville's Data Jobs
20:35 How GenAI Accelerates the Need for Data Engineers
31:33 Getting Started: Lower Barriers to Entry
39:03 A Top Use Case for AI: Understanding Your Codebase
52:21 Misconceptions & the "T-Shaped Skillset"
55:29 The Value of Hands-On Learning: "Go Do the Thing"
58:52 Lightning Round: Favorite Tech Tools
01:00:32 Lightning Round: Top Reads & Resources

Links
Metabase: https://www.metabase.com/
DuckDB: https://duckdb.org/
MotherDuck: https://motherduck.com/
Ralph Kimball: The Data Warehouse Toolkit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1118530802
Bill Inmon: Building the Data Warehouse: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Data-Warehouse-W-Inmon/dp/0764599445
Edward Tufte: The Visual Display of Quantitative Information: https://www.amazon.com/Visual-Display-Quantitative-Information/dp/0961392142
Brendan Keeler: The Health API Guy: https://healthapiguy.substack.com/
TLDR Newsletter: https://tldr.tech/
Nashville Technology Council (NTC): https://technologycouncil.com/


The Engine Behind AI: Why Data Engineering is in Demand | Stories From The Hackery

Rainu Ittycheriah, a local software developer representing Nashville Software School and Girl Geek Dinner at TechUP, discusses her experience on the diversity panel and the kaleidoscope of perspectives presented.

TechUP is committed to creating a tech ecosystem that is representative of all people. wetechup.com


Rainu Ittycheriah at TechUP Nashville 2016

Find out what it takes to start a career in software development, data analytics, data science, or UI/UX design from those who made the leap. Hear from musicians, veterans, single-moms, teachers, bartenders, postdocs, warehouse workers, and more - all graduates of Nashville Software School (NSS) - as they discuss their transition to tech and their capstone projects presented at Demo Day. Founded in 2012, NSS is a flourishing community of over one thousand alumni, active students, and a team of dedicated instructors all working together to grow and learn their craft. As a non-profit, NSS is committed to growing diversity in tech by creating opportunities for under-represented groups in these fields. Learn more at nashvillesoftwareschool.com.

The Engine Behind AI: Why Data Engineering is in Demand | Stories From The Hackery

Nashville Software School

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