Vanessa Kuśnierz: A Data Engineer on AI in Work and Business

Path to Data Engineering

Vanessa Kuśnierz, a recent graduate from Gdańsk University of Technology, started her journey in data engineering through a project analyzing job market trends for data professionals. Together with her team, she examined employer requirements and explored how data engineering differs from computer science in terms of career opportunities.

Job Offer Analysis Project

The project aimed to determine the most in-demand skills and technologies for data professionals. The team used:

• Python (BeautifulSoup library) for web scraping job offers,

• Excel for preliminary data analysis,

• Snowflake for cloud-based data storage and structuring,

• Power BI for data visualization.

Interestingly, they incorporated Snowflake into their workflow after noticing an increase in job postings requiring experience with this platform.

Trends in the Job Market

Vanessa’s research identified key shifts in employer demands:

• Growing importance of cloud computing – many companies are migrating to cloud-based solutions, increasing demand for Cloud Engineers.

• AI & Machine Learning dominance – skills related to AI have become more relevant than they were 5–7 years ago.

• Post-pandemic impact – the demand for data professionals surged as businesses adapted to remote work and data-driven decision-making.

Junior vs. Senior Roles

The study revealed clear differences in skill expectations for junior vs. senior positions:

• Juniors are expected to have foundational knowledge in programming (Python, SQL, R), algorithms, and Git, along with a good grasp of data concepts.

• Seniors are required to have leadership skills, project management abilities, and decision-making experience, often overseeing junior team members.

AI’s Role in Data Engineering

Vanessa views AI as an assistive tool rather than a job replacement. AI helps automate repetitive tasks, optimize code, and identify patterns faster, allowing data professionals to focus on insights and decision-making rather than manual labor.

Key Skills & Advice for Aspiring Data Professionals

• Critical Thinking – Understanding what the numbers truly mean and how they impact business decisions.

• Communication – Effectively presenting findings to managers and stakeholders in a clear and engaging way.

• Patience – Data work can be frustrating, requiring resilience to handle complex problems.

For beginners, Vanessa advises:

✅ Start small – Choose a specific area of interest and take online courses (Datacamp, Coursera, Udemy).
✅ Work on real projects – Even analyzing data on personal interests can help build skills.
✅ Create a portfolio – Showcasing projects can significantly boost job opportunities.

Future Plans

Vanessa plans to continue developing her expertise in data analysis, stay updated on industry trends, and pursue a master’s degree in a related field.