Are you interested in a big data engineering career and want to learn the advantages and disadvantages of being a big data engineer? Check this post as I’ll share the insights!
Although this job brings benefits in terms of employment opportunities, income, and development, I must admit that it sometimes puts me under high pressure.
Keep reading to learn more!
Overview
In essence, big data engineers build and manage the technology that handles lots of information. Here’s what they do daily:
- Collecting data from different sources like databases, websites, and more.
- Storing data.
- Processing data using frameworks for counting, sorting, and finding patterns.
- Keeping data safe.
- Optimizing queries and data processing tasks.
- Working with cloud services, like AWS or Google Cloud, to build and manage scalable solutions.
Having worked in this field for many years, I admit this is an attractive career with many job opportunities and a high salary. But the complexity and tension it brings are also significant. I will analyze the pros and cons of this job shortly!
First, let’s learn about the benefits you will have when pursuing this career! I believe these factors will appeal to anyone who loves working with data.
1. Easy To Find Jobs
Getting a job in big data engineering is easy because there’s a high demand for people with these skills.
The numbers speak for themselves: with a projected job growth rate of 21% from 2018-2028 (equivalent to 284,100 jobs), this field is red hot and shows no signs of cooling down. That’s not all; currently, there are 303,105 active job openings for data engineers across the US.
2. High Salaries Compared To Other Tech Role
I admit that this career brings in big bucks, especially when compared to other IT jobs. In the US, a big data engineer in 2023 can rake in a hefty estimated total of $132,812 per year, which is way more than the average IT salary of about $76,260 annually.
On average, these engineers have a base salary of around $113,611/year. But what makes the job even sweeter is the chance to grab an extra $25,113 yearly. This extra money can come from tips, bonuses, commissions, and profit sharing.
In simple terms, if you’re eyeing a career with top-dollar rewards in the IT world, being a big data engineer is where the money’s at.
3. Work With Advanced Technologies
Another thing I like about this position is working with some really cool and advanced technologies, such as data processing frameworks (Apache Spark and Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS and Azure).
I love working with these tools as they help me build data systems, process information, and find vital insights for my company.
I’m always exploring new tech, too, like Apache Kafka for real-time data and ML with TensorFlow and PyTorch. I love how it lets me stay on top of all the latest tech trends.
4. Remote Work Opportunities
Today, many companies recognize that handling data and computer systems can be done anywhere with a good internet connection, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.
So, you can work from home or even while traveling and enjoy several advantages:
- A better balance between your job and personal life, as you don’t have to spend time commuting to the office.
- You can set up your workspace.
- Job possibilities all around the world.
Thus, if you want to work with data but don’t like sitting in an office daily, consider this career!
5. Impactful Work
Regarding the impacts you can make when working in this position, you can help organizations use their data to make decisions and improve their operations.
You can do this by creating systems that collect, process, and organize data so that others, like data scientists and analysts, can use it to figure out vital insights. These insights help companies make better plans, serve their customers well, and grow their business.
Next, let’s get to the cons of this career. I have compiled these drawbacks from my personal experience and a survey of other big data engineers.
6. Require Many Technical Skills
To work in this role, you must have a lot of technical skills, including being good at programming in different languages (Python and Java) and handling various data tools, databases, and cloud platforms.
These skills take a lot of time to learn and master. And as these technologies change, you must continually update and adapt to them.
7. Complexity
Has anyone told you that the duties of this position are very complex? You will build and maintain systems that handle tons of data, and this is like putting together a giant puzzle.
Besides, finding the crux of the problem in a larger volume of data is finding a needle in a haystack. It will take time to get used to this complexity.
8. Stressful
The data I work with is super important for companies, and handling these vital tasks sometimes causes me stress because if something breaks or data gets lost, it’s a big problem.
In finance and healthcare, stress levels are even higher. Big data engineers working in these areas often have to work overtime because of the vast workload and responsibilities.
Is the Big Data Engineering Career Worth It?
Absolutely! This career is worth considering as it brings many benefits, like good pay, job security, and the chance to work with the latest tech tools. Also, many jobs are available because more and more companies need these engineers.
Plus, your work will help businesses make better decisions using data, leading to their success. Even though the job can be challenging, it’s rewarding because you’re at the forefront of technology.
Conclusion
You now understand the pros and cons of this job. Because this career offers the ease of finding jobs, high income, and the opportunity to impact the world, start this career today if you love to work with big data!
However, you also need to consider the cons I mentioned, including required technical skills, complexity, and stress.
Please comment down your opinion about this job!