Stepping into the realm of data engineering can be a formidable journey, marked by complex technologies and intricate workflows. This episode of "The Starlight Podium" features Kushagra Jaiswal, a seasoned Data Engineer with profound expertise in Google Cloud Platforms, currently consulting at Deloitte, USA. His unique journey from infrastructure to data engineering provides a wealth of knowledge for those eager to explore this critical area of data science.

In This Episode: Kushagra unfolds the intricacies of data engineering, from the initial steps in the career path to mastering the technologies that drive today's data solutions. He discusses the transition from traditional infrastructure roles to advanced data engineering, highlighting the essential skills and tools necessary for success in the field.

Tune In If You're Wondering:

• What are the foundational skills required for a career in data engineering?
• How does one transition from IT infrastructure to data engineering?
• What role do cloud platforms play in modern data engineering?
• How can you build practical data engineering projects to enhance learning?
• What insights do career transitions within data roles offer for aspiring engineers?

Kushagra also sheds light on the integration of DevOps practices into data engineering, illustrating how a deep understanding of cloud services and data operations enhances the implementation and management of data systems across industries

SECTIONS:

• (0:00) - Episode Overview

PART 1: KYG - KNOW YOUR GUEST (1:25)

• (1:25) - Kushagra's Introduction
• (2:50) - Entry In Data Engineering
• (5;40) - Decision & Reason For Entering Data Engineering
• (7:09).- What Is Data Engineering All About
• (12:21) - Lifecycle Of A Data Engineering Project

PART 2: SKILLS TO PRIORITIZE (14:22)

• (14:22) - Skills Required As A Data Engineer
• (21:09) - ETL (Extract Transform & Load)
• (25:08) - Use Of Hadoop Fo Big Data Processing
• (26:48) - Gaining Competitive Edge
• (29:36) - Importance Of Cloud Platforms / Computing
• (32:11) - Project Ideas

PART 3: JOB MARKET (34:31)

• (34:31) - Advice For New Learners
• (38:14) - Key Strategies For Learning
• (42:17) - Using Data Analysis At Work
• (43:22) - Who Should Consider Picking Data Engineering ?
• (46:52) - Do Organizations Consider Freshers For Data Engineering Roles ?
• (48:49) - Learning Platforms and Certifications That Provide Value
• (51:38) - Roadmap Into Data Engineering.

PART 4: FINAL WORDS (53:37)

Embarking on a journey into data analytics presents its own set of challenges, especially for those new to the field. This episode of "The Starlight Podium" brings forth Neil Bagchi, a distinguished Business Intelligence Specialist, whose varied experiences across data analytics, engineering, science, and BI have equipped him with insights invaluable for aspirants stepping into this domain.

In This Episode: Neil peels back the layers on what it truly takes to break into and succeed in data analytics. From understanding foundational skills, tackling programming for beginners, to strategizing job hunting in a competitive landscape — Neil addresses pressing questions that loom over freshers and professionals eager to pivot to analytics.

Tune In If You're Wondering:

• What skills are essential for a data analytics role?
• How can someone from a non-technical background learn programming effectively?
• What strategies can aid in finding a job in data analytics?
• How does one stand out in the fierce competition of today's job market?
• Are individuals without a relevant background at a disadvantage?

Neil also delves into the importance of building business context around your data projects, emphasizing how this approach not only enhances project quality but also makes your work resonate with real-world applications and strategic goals.

SECTIONS:

• (0:00) - Episode Overview

PART 1: KYG - KNOW YOUR GUEST (3:53)

• (4:09) - Neil's Introduction
• (13:25) - Analytics Project lifecycle In Organizations
• (18:16) - Areas To Focus When Entering An Organization
• (24:01).- A Day In The Life Of A Data Analyst
• (26:31) - Is The Work Of A Data Analyst Tied To Other Data Teams (& Skills Used) ?

PART 2: SKILLS TO PRIORITIZE (29:50)

• (29:50) - How Much Python To Learn & How To Practice ?
• (34:49) - YouTube vs Paid Courses: How To Choose Learning Platform ?
• (40:31) - Importance Of Soft Skills & Communication
• (45:15) - Should We Invest In Learning Other Skills such as AI as Data Analyst ?

PART 3: JOB MARKET (50:47)

• (51:16) - How Can Freshers Showcase Value In Interview Without Prior Experience / Project Portfolio Tips ?
• (57:16) - Why IT/CS/Engineering/Math Candidates Preferred ?
• (01:00:56) - How Building Industry Connections & Creating Content Can Help ?
• (01:02:56) - Why Entry Level Positions Seek Experienced Candidates ?
• (01:05:57) - How To Build Real Work Experience With Data / Making A Standout Project Portfolio ?
• (01:08:12) - Finding A Job In Analytics Outside India
• (01:15:08) - Is Data Analyst Still An Exciting or Prosperous Career Path To Pursue ?

PART 4: FINAL WORDS (1:19:05)

🔗 CONNECT WITH NEIL

⁠⁠⁠👥 Linkedin

🔗 CONNECT WITH VARUN

⁠👥 Linkedin⁠

🎙 ABOUT THE PODCAST

'The Starlight Podium' is a podcast where we explore the boundless opportunities in data-driven decision-making. Discover firsthand insights from industry experts thriving in domains such as data science, analytics, and business intelligence. Also, learn actionable strategies to kickstart your journey into your dream data role. Tune in for an exciting exploration of the data world

🎧 LISTEN FOR FREE

Spotify - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/varun-sagar-theegala1⁠

🙏 LEAVE A REVIEW

If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, I’d love for you to leave a rating & review (based on your experience) on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show

👋🏼 GET IN TOUCH

You can reach out to me directly on LinkedIn using my profile link or tag me in a LinkedIn post with @Varun Sagar Theegala with any feedback, ideas or thoughts about the lessons you've learnt from the episodes + any topics you want me to explore in upcoming episodes

In today's visually-driven world, creating captivating project presentations in data analytics are more than just a skill – they're a necessity for standing out. Whether it's for impressing potential recruiters, interviewers, or engaging stakeholders you work with, the art of crafting professional and visually appealing project presentations is key. Many analytics aspirants share their projects on LinkedIn. While many receive applause, they often miss capturing the attention of the recruiters and industry professionals they aim to impress.

This episode features Srinath, an analytics aspirant nearing 10,000 followers on LinkedIn. His journey of sharing insights and content has not only garnered significant engagement but also opened numerous opportunities. His expertise in crafting standout project presentations amidst intense competition makes him the ideal guide for today's discussion.

We have something special lined up: an interview with Srinath to explore his journey, his approach to content creation, and his framework for project presentations. But there's more – a live demo where Srinath shows how he crafts his engaging project presentations.

Stay tuned till the end, especially if you have your projects ready. This episode will be a game-changer, teaching you to elevate the impact of your insights with stellar presentations.

SECTIONS:

• (0:00) - Episode Overview

PART 1: KYG - KNOW YOUR GUEST (3:53)

• (4:32) - Srinath's Introduction
• (7:30) - Skills for Data Analysis
• (8:56) - Srinath's Content Creation Beginnings
• (11:25).- Building Confidence To Post
• (13:13) - Thoughts On Facing Criticism
• (17:39) - Content Creation Process
• (19:04) - Which Content Works Well
• (22:00) - Juggling Studies & Content Creation
• (23:45) - Why LinkedIn For Content Creation?
• (25:42) - Benefits Of Content Creation For An Analytics Aspirant

PART 2: PROJECT PRESENTATION (30:58)

• (31:09) - How I Connected with Srinath/Benefits of Project Presentation
• (37:50) - Format For Analytics Project Presentation
• (41:40) - Effort, Skills & Resources Required
• (48:01) - Special Story: Receiving Feedback From Experts

PART 3: LIVE DEMO: (50:29)

• (50:45) - Creating A Project Presentation

PART 4: AN EXAMPLE FROM SRINATH'S PROJECT VAULT (1:11:26)

• (1:11:42) - Srinath's Project Presentation Walkthrough
• (1:17:04) - Final Words From Srinath

🛠️ RESOURCES:

Canva (To Create Presentation): https://www.canva.com/

🔗 CONNECT WITH SRINATH

⁠⁠⁠👥 Linkedin

🔗 CONNECT WITH VARUN

⁠👥 Linkedin⁠

🎙 ABOUT THE PODCAST

'The Starlight Podium' is a podcast where we explore the boundless opportunities in data-driven decision-making. Discover firsthand insights from industry experts thriving in domains such as data science, analytics, and business intelligence. Also, learn actionable strategies to kickstart your journey into your dream data role. Tune in for an exciting exploration of the data world

🎧 LISTEN FOR FREE

Spotify - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/varun-sagar-theegala1⁠

🙏 LEAVE A REVIEW

If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, I’d love for you to leave a rating & review (based on your experience) on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show

👋🏼 GET IN TOUCH

You can reach out to me directly on LinkedIn using my profile link or tag me in a LinkedIn post with @Varun Sagar Theegala with any feedback, ideas or thoughts about the lessons you've learnt from the episodes + any topics you want me to explore in upcoming episodes

In today's data-driven world, Business Analysts play a pivotal role in helping organizations make informed decisions. Their ability to bridge the gap between data and business objectives is in high demand across various industries. Aspiring professionals often ponder how to embark on a fulfilling career as a Business Analyst, given the rising importance of this role in today's competitive business landscape. However, there's often confusion between the roles of Business Analysts and Data Analysts.

To clear the air and shed light on the distinct world of Business Analysts, we're joined by Chethan, a business Analyst at Amazon. With his mechanical engineering background, Chethan made a significant breakthrough in 2021 when he joined Amazon Fresh. With two years and counting, he has become an invaluable asset to the company.

In this episode, we address these questions and provide valuable insights into the skills, responsibilities, and career paths that define the journey of a Business Analyst. Join us as we unlock the door to this intriguing world of data-driven decision-making.

🔗 CONNECT WITH CHETHAN

👥 Linkedin

🔗 CONNECT WITH VARUN

👥 Linkedin

🎙 ABOUT THE PODCAST

'The Starlight Podium' is a podcast where we explore the boundless opportunities in data-driven decision-making. Discover firsthand insights from industry experts thriving in domains such as data science, analytics, and business intelligence. Also, learn actionable strategies to kickstart your journey into your dream data role. Tune in for an exciting exploration of the data world!

🎧 LISTEN FOR FREE

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-starlight-podium/id1705620562

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2XdfGesRMbdcvMnuCCHdcb?si=3e8d8fb7e4534802

🙏 LEAVE A REVIEW

If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, I’d love for you to leave a rating & review (based on your experience) on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show

👋🏼 GET IN TOUCH

You can reach out to me directly on LinkedIn using my profile link or tag me in a LinkedIn post with @Varun Sagar Theegala with any feedback, ideas or thoughts about the lessons you've learnt from the episodes + any topics you want me to explore in upcoming episodes

Welcome to another insightful episode of "The Starlight Podium." In today's discussion, we delve into the intricate world of supply chain analytics, a vital function driving major e-commerce and retail giants like Amazon, Flipkart, Walmart, and Target.

Supply chain, the backbone of product deliveries and retail transactions, emerges as a dynamic and promising field, characterized by rapid developments centered around data. Despite this, a considerable gap exists between public perceptions of supply chain operations and the intricate realities behind the scenes.

To bridge this gap, our guest today is Mohammad Zuhaib, a thriving Supply Chain Analyst at Target, a renowned American retail corporation. A graduate in Electronics and Communications Engineering, Zuhaib augmented his skills with a postgraduate program in data science. He kickstarted his career as a Data Science Intern and honed his skills and built his experience on his way towards making a significant move to Target in Bengaluru, he embraced the challenging domain of supply chain analytics.

Zuhaib is not just a professional; he's a passionate knowledge-sharer, contributing to Towards Data Science and creating impactful videos for Tahaan, an NGO focused on disaster and humanitarian relief.

In today's episode, we explore crucial topics, including an introduction to supply chain analytics, various aspects of supply chain management, analyzing inventory metrics, and challenges and solutions in supply chain analytics projects. Zuhaib shares valuable insights on building a project portfolio and offers advice for aspiring professionals, emphasizing the importance of understanding supply chain processes and staying informed about industry trends.

Join us as we unravel the complexities of supply chain analytics with Mohammad Zuhaib, gaining profound insights into how analytics plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of this dynamic field. Let's dive in! 

ATTENTION - If you are someone who wants to break into Data Science, this one is for YOU!

For this episode, I sit down for an interview with one of India’s leading Practitioners, Speakers and LinkedIn Top Voice in Data Science - Sarveshwaran Rajagopal, and understand how can one enter into this booming and exciting industry.
 

Sarveshwaran’s journey in Data Science spans more than 8+ years, having worked in companies such as LTIMindtree and Infosys, building innovative and novel solutions for complex business challenges. He also holds prestigious post graduate certifications for Business Analytics and Business Intelligence from Great Lakes Institute Of Management & Illinois Tech Stuart School of Business. His expertise spans across Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Business Intelligence and Generative AI

He has also contributed immensely to the community, mentoring more than 2000+ students in the field of Data Science through his stints as a mentor/trainers at Great Learning, UpGrad and Jaro Education.

Join me as we delve in Sarveshwaran’s experience, as he shares his invaluable knowledge and crucial insights into how can make a successful transition and career in Data Science

Welcome to 'The Starlight Podium,' where we'll explore the secrets of personal branding and its transformative power on your career. In this inaugural episode, join me, your host Varun, in my conversation with LinkedIn lead generation and personal branding strategist, John Naveen.

John's journey from Tuticorin, India, to LinkedIn success is nothing short of inspiring. He's not only helping SaaS CEOs land high-paying clients in less than 45 days but has also mastered the art of content creation. 

Discover the ingenious approach that sets John apart, drawing inspiration from diverse sources. Since joining LinkedIn in December 2022, his content has reached over 2 million impressions, generating 50+ leads and opening doors to five podcast invitations and job offers.

Join me as we delve into John's strategies behind content creation, his insights on personal branding, and how this transformative journey can change your professional path forever.