Archive - SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter

“The First Data Hire” Series: How to Survive and Succeed as a Solo Data Leader

Everything they didn’t tell you when you took the job

Jul 8 •

June 2025

Speed Without Understanding - One of the Biggest Risks in Data Engineering

I just nuked all our dashboards.

Jun 30 •

If You’re New to Data, Read This Before You Build Anything

Plus 7 Articles I Think Everyone in Data Should Read

Jun 19 •

4 Strategies To Elevate Your Communication Style From Engineer To Leader

Hi, fellow future and current Data Leaders; Ben here 👋

Jun 10 •

Hype Is Not A Data Strategy

Almost every conversation I have with a data leader eventually leads to the same phrase: “Our industry is so far behind.” But if everyone is behind…

Jun 5 •

May 2025

Apache Iceberg Isn't Coming To Save You

But The Data World Loves It!

May 27 •

How to Keep Your Data Team From Becoming a Money Pit

Lessons I've Learned From Turning Around Data Teams

May 23 •

So You Think You Want to Quit Your Job?

Lessons from Three Years of Building a Career Without A Full-time Job

May 14 •

Back To The Basics: What Is Columnar Storage

And Why Is Everyone Using Parquet?

May 8 •

Why Your Data Team Doesn't Have A Seat At The Table

And How To Fix It

May 2 •

April 2025

Why You're Stuck at Senior Data Engineer (And How to Break Out)

So you've mastered Airflow, built hundreds of pipelines, and have racked up seven-plus years of experience, but you're still seen as just a Senior…

Apr 22 •

Understanding the “T” in ETL: A Back-to-Basics Guide to Data Transformations

Over the past year, I’ve been writing about several back-to-the-basics topics, like extracting data via APIs and SFTP, and building solid data models.

Apr 16 •

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