What's New In Data cover image

What's New In Data

From the Marines to Data Engineering with Alexander Noonan (Dagster Labs)

Nov 21, 2024
Alex Noonan, a developer advocate at Dagster, shares his fascinating journey from Marine aircraft mechanic to data engineering guru. He discusses the challenges of social media shifts post-Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, exploring how platforms like Blue Sky are changing community dynamics. Alex offers insights on networking strategies across LinkedIn, Reddit, and more, emphasizing the relevance of tailored content. He also highlights AI's transformative role in streamlining data processes, showcasing innovations like Dagster that enhance the day-to-day workflow of data professionals.
39:58

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Alex Noonan's journey from a Marine aircraft mechanic to data engineering illustrates the diverse backgrounds enriching the data industry.
  • Recent shifts in social media, particularly after Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, have fragmented data communities, leading users to seek alternatives like Blue Sky.

Deep dives

Alex Noonan's Journey into Data

Alex Noonan's unconventional career path led him to the field of data after diverse experiences, including serving as a Marine aircraft mechanic. His initial interest in data sparked after watching 'The Big Short,' which highlighted the power of data for making predictions and informed decisions. Transitioning from finance studies to a role as a data analyst, he worked extensively with SQL databases and later took on data engineering and content marketing roles. Ultimately, his hands-on experience with Dagster as a data user motivated him to pursue a position as a developer advocate at the company.

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