Data Career Transformations

25: From COBOL Developer to Insurance Data Engineer: Brad Cronkrite

Description: In this conversation, Brad Cronkrite shares his journey from a developer to a lead data analytics engineer at Mercury Insurance. He discusses the critical role of data in the insurance industry, the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, and the importance of mentorship and self-awareness in career growth. Brad also emphasizes the significance of maintaining a work-life balance and understanding the dynamics of introversion in the workplace. He shares insights on empowering analytics teams through dbt mesh and reflects on past data disasters that shaped his approach to data engineering. Takeaways: * Brad's journey in data began as a developer on a mainframe. * Data is foundational in the insurance industry, influencing pricing and risk assessment. * Empowering analytics teams with dbt mesh allows for greater flexibility and ownership. * Finding your niche in data can lead to greater job satisfaction. * Day-to-day work in data engineering involves project management and troubleshooting. * AI can enhance workflows but must be used responsibly in decision-making. * Data disasters can lead to valuable learning experiences and improved processes. * Interviewing for data roles often reveals knowledge gaps that need addressing. * Understanding introversion can improve team dynamics and productivity. Measuring success in data work involves visibility and trust from leadership. Chapters: * 00:00 Brad's Journey into Data * 02:44 Navigating Imposter Syndrome * 05:38 Data's Role in the Insurance Industry * 08:22 Empowering Analytics Teams with dbt Mesh * 10:58 Finding Your Niche in Data Engineering * 13:27 The Structure of Brad's Data Team * 16:10 Building a Robust CI/CD Pipeline * 19:07 The Role of AI in Data Engineering * 21:44 Navigating Data Disasters * 24:15 Interview Insights and Challenges * 26:53 Understanding Introversion in the Workplace * 32:22 Proud Projects and Their Impact * 36:03 Mentorship and Career Growth * 37:14 Advice for Aspiring Data Professionals Speakers: * Guest: Brad Cronkrite, Lead Data Analytics Engineer, Mercury Insurance * Host: Bolaji Oyejide [http://linkedin.com/in/bolaji/], Community Manager at dbt Labs We're Building the Future of Data. Together. We've always believed the best way to get better at data is by sharing what you're learning. That's why we built the dbt Community—a place where data pros at every level can ask questions, debate ideas, and push each other forward. It's not just about solving today's problems—it's about building what's next, together. * Crowdsource solutions—70,000+ people who've been there, done that. * Find your crew—meet others who use the same tools you do. * Stay at the cutting edge—discussions, meetups, and game shows keep things fresh. 👉 Jump in and say hi—join the dbt Community now. [https://www.getdbt.com/community/join-the-community?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=q4-2025_aw&utm_content=join-community____&utm_term=all_all__]

23: From Nonprofit & Education, to Senior BI Analyst @ JustWorks: Millie Symns

In this episode of Data Career Transformations, Bolaji interviews Millie Symns, a senior Business Intelligence analyst at JustWorks. Millie shares her journey into the data field, emphasizing the importance of mission-driven work and the intersection of data and education. She discusses her current role, the challenges of communicating data insights to non-technical stakeholders, and the significance of mentorship in the data community. Millie's insights on data literacy, measuring business impact, and the value of collaboration highlight the evolving landscape of data careers. Chapters: * 02:48 Millie's Journey into Data * 05:36 The Intersection of Data and Mission-Driven Work * 08:19 Millie's Data Origin Story * 11:06 Current Role at JustWorks * 13:47 Career Path and Previous Roles * 16:32 Stakeholder Communication Challenges * 19:09 Data Literacy and Its Impact * 24:29 Understanding Data Through Personal Experience * 28:18 The Pressure of Quick Answers in Data * 29:10 Navigating Business Context as a Data Analyst * 32:29 Celebrating Small Wins in Data Projects * 35:51 Measuring Business Impact of Data Work * 39:45 The Importance of Mentorship in Data Careers Takeaways: * Millie's journey into data began with a passion for education and access to resources. * She emphasizes the importance of mission-driven work in the data field. Millie's first job involved education evaluation, which shaped her data career. * She transitioned from nonprofit to corporate, bringing her mission focus with her. * Millie values the role of data in solving collective issues rather than individual problems. * Her current role at JustWorks involves helping stakeholders make data-driven decisions. * Millie highlights the challenges of communicating data insights to non-technical stakeholders. * Data literacy varies across industries and impacts the quality of stakeholder requests. * Measuring the impact of data work is challenging but essential for data professionals. * Mentorship is crucial for growth in the data field, both as a mentor and mentee. Speakers: * Guest: Millie Symns [https://www.linkedin.com/in/millie-symns/], Senior BI Analyst at JustWorks * Host: Bolaji Oyejide [http://linkedin.com/in/bolaji/], Community Manager at dbt Labs We're Building the Future of Data. Together. We've always believed the best way to get better at data is by sharing what you're learning. That's why we built the dbt Community—a place where data pros at every level can ask questions, debate ideas, and push each other forward. It's not just about solving today's problems—it's about building what's next, together. * Crowdsource solutions—70,000+ people who've been there, done that. * Find your crew—meet others who use the same tools you do. * Stay at the cutting edge—discussions, meetups, and game shows keep things fresh. 👉 Jump in and say hi—join the dbt Community now. [https://www.getdbt.com/community/join-the-community?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=q4-2025_aw&utm_content=join-community____&utm_term=all_all__]

22: From Semi-Pro Baseball to Dir of Engineering @ BetterHelp, w Johnathan Brooks

Description: In this conversation, Bolaji and Johnathan "JB" Brooks discuss JB's journey from semi-pro baseball player to a data engineering leader at BetterHelp. They explore the balance between mental health and high-pressure environments, the importance of dbt and Kimball modeling in data engineering, and the evolving landscape of AI and machine learning. JB shares insights on communication skills, measuring the value of data work, and the significance of understanding stakeholders. The discussion emphasizes the need for empathy and personal connection in professional success, along with practical advice for aspiring data professionals. Takeaways: * JB played semi-pro baseball and has a passion for mental health. * The pressure of perfection can lead to mental health challenges. * Mental health awareness is crucial in high-pressure environments. * JB's career began in the insurance industry before transitioning to data engineering. * He adopted dbt early on, recognizing its potential in data transformation. * Machine learning and AI are rapidly evolving fields in data engineering. * BetterHelp's mission aligns with JB's values and career goals. * Communication skills are essential for data professionals to convey value. * Understanding stakeholders is key to being a valuable data professional. * Professional success should be defined by personal values, not external expectations. Chapters: * 00:00: Introduction to JB's Journey * 06:09: Mental Health Awareness in High-Pressure Environments * 09:09: JB's Career Beginnings in Insurance * 10:33: Early Exposure to DBT and Data Engineering * 11:24: Transitioning to Solutions Architect * 13:18: Navigating the Data Engineering Landscape * 19:49: Interview Insights and Lessons Learned * 21:49: Joining BetterHelp and Work-Life Balance * 24:21: The Impact of AI on Human Productivity * 26:51: The Importance of Human Connection in Tech * 27:41: Understanding Kimball Dimensional Modeling * 29:46: Modern Applications of Kimball Modeling * 31:21: Challenges and Pitfalls of Kimball Modeling * 36:58: Team Structure and Collaboration in Data * 37:55: Data Disasters and Lessons Learned * 39:38: Proud Projects and Their Impact * 40:58: Measuring the Value of Data Work * 42:56: Honing Communication and Persuasion Skills * 46:09: Defining Professional Success * 50:55: Encouragement for Emerging Data Professionals Speakers: * Guest: Johnathan JB Brooks [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnathan-brooks/], former Director of Data Engineering at BetterHelp. (Now Principal Data & AI Architect at Astrodata) * Host: Bolaji Oyejide [http://linkedin.com/in/bolaji/], Community Manager at dbt Labs We're Building the Future of Data. Together. We've always believed the best way to get better at data is by sharing what you're learning. That's why we built the dbt Community—a place where data pros at every level can ask questions, debate ideas, and push each other forward. It's not just about solving today's problems—it's about building what's next, together. * Crowdsource solutions—70,000+ people who've been there, done that. * Find your crew—meet others who use the same tools you do. * Stay at the cutting edge—discussions, meetups, and game shows keep things fresh. 👉 Jump in and say hi—join the dbt Community now. [https://www.getdbt.com/community/join-the-community?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=q4-2025_aw&utm_content=join-community____&utm_term=all_all__]

21: From Optimizing Physical Warehouses, to Optimizing FinOps Data Warehouses: Eddy Zulkifly

Description: In this episode of Data Career Transformations, Bolaji interviews Eddy Zulkifly, a senior staff data engineer at Kanaxis. They discuss Eddy's journey from chemical engineering to data engineering, his passion for soccer coaching, and the importance of community and mentorship in professional growth. Eddy shares insights on the role of Excel in business, the challenges of FinOps, and the significance of a growth mindset in both sports and data careers. He emphasizes the value of learning in public and encourages data professionals to share their experiences and learn from one another. Takeaways * Eddy transitioned from chemical engineering to industrial engineering due to his interest in psychology and data analysis. * Excel remains a crucial tool in business, often seen as the universal data language. Eddy's experience in supply chain management has greatly influenced his approach to data engineering. * Coaching kids in soccer has taught Eddy the importance of tailoring strategies to individual needs. * The concept of learning in public can accelerate personal and professional growth. Eddy believes in the importance of mentorship and community support in the data field. * Understanding business requirements is key to effective data engineering. Eddy's team at Kanaxis is structured to promote collaboration across data lifecycle stages. * Technical challenges in FinOps often involve cost allocation and resource tagging. Eddy aspires to lead a data team and build impactful data products in the future. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to Data Career Transformations * 02:47 Culinary Adventures in Malaysia and Singapore * 05:41 The Joy of Coaching Soccer * 08:29 From Chemical to Industrial Engineering * 11:08 The Role of Excel in Business * 13:51 Transitioning to Data Engineering * 16:44 Understanding Kanaxis and Its Operations * 19:23 The Structure of the Data Team at Kanaxis * 22:12 Challenges in FinOps and Data Optimization * 22:22 Navigating FinOps Challenges * 25:12 Lessons from the Pandemic: Data Engineering at Home Depot * 28:25 Proud Projects: Implementing Modern Data Stacks * 30:52 Mentorship and Community in Data Engineering * 34:12 Growth Mindset: Coaching and Learning * 39:42 Future Aspirations in Data Engineering * 41:46 Advice for Data Professionals Speakers: * Guest: Eddy Zulkifly [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddyzulkifly/], Senior Staff Data Engineer, Kinaxis * Host: Bolaji Oyejide [http://linkedin.com/in/bolaji/], Community Manager at dbt Labs We're Building the Future of Data. Together. We've always believed the best way to get better at data is by sharing what you're learning. That's why we built the dbt Community—a place where data pros at every level can ask questions, debate ideas, and push each other forward. It's not just about solving today's problems—it's about building what's next, together. * Crowdsource solutions—70,000+ people who've been there, done that. * Find your crew—meet others who use the same tools you do. * Stay at the cutting edge—discussions, meetups, and game shows keep things fresh. 👉 Jump in and say hi—join the dbt Community now. [https://www.getdbt.com/community/join-the-community?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=q4-2025_aw&utm_content=join-community____&utm_term=all_all__]

20: From Data Science & Engineering, to AI & ML Solutions Architect: Louis Guitton

Description: In this episode, Bolaji interviews Louis Guitton, an engineering leader with extensive experience in data engineering and analytics. They discuss Louis's journey from sports to data, his experiences at One Football Labs, and the challenges of communicating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Louis shares insights on handling stress and burnout, measuring the impact of data projects, and the importance of sustainable personal growth in a rapidly evolving field. He emphasizes the need for data professionals to understand the business context and offers valuable advice for those looking to build a fulfilling career in data. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/data-career-transformations/id1808952440?utm_campaign=Community%20Newsletter&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8ssF4spgFyXXRQ9824kyD4rPDspTUaFgDmEqBM0w_BE9ADl6A2ZQBMEJnUdmFptx1meZwrd74o2FNOP6VYOCIn6vZBVGhNSKwRAdLS0SnT1HKSM0g] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5lGKXYs2KI1SO7X3RZohop?si=2ac990eecd31478a&utm_campaign=Community%20Newsletter&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8ssF4spgFyXXRQ9824kyD4rPDspTUaFgDmEqBM0w_BE9ADl6A2ZQBMEJnUdmFptx1meZwrd74o2FNOP6VYOCIn6vZBVGhNSKwRAdLS0SnT1HKSM0g] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PL0QYlrC86xQkz_bHgNz3zFOmC3F1MuKZ8&utm_campaign=Community%20Newsletter&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8ssF4spgFyXXRQ9824kyD4rPDspTUaFgDmEqBM0w_BE9ADl6A2ZQBMEJnUdmFptx1meZwrd74o2FNOP6VYOCIn6vZBVGhNSKwRAdLS0SnT1HKSM0g] | Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bfcff1fb-2ab6-4af0-9201-f60fe9593b1e/data-career-transformations?utm_campaign=Community%20Newsletter&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8ssF4spgFyXXRQ9824kyD4rPDspTUaFgDmEqBM0w_BE9ADl6A2ZQBMEJnUdmFptx1meZwrd74o2FNOP6VYOCIn6vZBVGhNSKwRAdLS0SnT1HKSM0g] Takeaways * Louis has a diverse background in sports and data. * He emphasizes the importance of mental and physical preparation for marathons. * Data analytics is becoming increasingly important in sports. * Louis's career journey includes freelancing and working at One Football Labs. * He faced challenges in building a tagging system for football content. * Communication with non-technical stakeholders is crucial for data professionals. * Burnout is a common issue in the tech industry, and it's important to address it. * Measuring the impact of data projects can be challenging but necessary. * Sustainable personal growth is key to a long-term career in data. * Understanding the business context is essential for data professionals. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to Data Career Transformations * 01:51 The Intersection of Sports and Data * 05:22 The Role of Data in Personal Health 0 * 7:56 Career Journey: From Engineering to Freelancing * 11:05 Building a Data-Driven Business Unit * 17:26 Tackling Technical Challenges in Data Engineering * 20:49 Shipping the First Version: Lessons Learned * 21:33 Communicating with Non-Technical Stakeholders * 24:11 The Importance of Domain Knowledge * 26:35 Handling Stress and Burnout in Data Careers * 30:12 Measuring Impact in Data Projects * 33:14 Sustainable Personal Growth in Data Careers * 37:51 Mentorship and Influences in Career Development * 38:45 Advice for Building a Fulfilling Career Speakers: * Guest: Louis Guitton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisguitton/], AI Solutions Architect and ML Engineer * Host: Bolaji Oyejide [http://linkedin.com/in/bolaji/], Community Manager at dbt Labs We're Building the Future of Data. Together. We've always believed the best way to get better at data is by sharing what you're learning. That's why we built the dbt Community—a place where data pros at every level can ask questions, debate ideas, and push each other forward. It's not just about solving today's problems—it's about building what's next, together. * Crowdsource solutions—70,000+ people who've been there, done that. * Find your crew—meet others who use the same tools you do. * Stay at the cutting edge—discussions, meetups, and game shows keep things fresh. 👉 Jump in and say hi—join the dbt Community now. [https://www.getdbt.com/community/join-the-community?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=q4-2025_aw&utm_content=join-community____&utm_term=all_all__]