Data engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as computer science, software engineering, information technology, data science, math, or business. Some bachelor’s programs may offer a concentration in data engineering. Common courses in data science or data analytics programs include:
Big data, Data mining, Data modeling, Applied statistics, Data warehousing, Business analytics, Data visualization, Database systems, and Database management.
In addition to a degree, data engineers should also have experience with programming languages like Python and Java, as well as knowledge of relational database management systems and database querying languages like SQL.
While a degree isn’t required to become a data engineer, some companies may prefer candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree may also help advance your career and lead to higher-paying positions. You can also consider professional certifications, such as the Certified Data Management Professional certification from the Data Management Association (DAMA) International, to show employers that you’re willing to improve your skills.