Tips to become a Data Engineer 👇👇

1. Data Engineering Basics: At its core, it's about efficiently moving and reshaping data from one place/format to another.
2. Be Curious: The field is vast. Dive deep, ask questions, and always be in the mode of learning and experimenting.
3. Master Data: Understand the intricacies of data types, where they originate, and how they're structured.
4. Programming: Grasping a language is crucial. If you're unsure, start with Python – it's versatile and widely used in the industry.
5. SQL: A timeless tool for querying databases. Mastering SQL will empower you to work with data across various platforms.
6. Command Line: Familiarizing yourself with command line operations can save a lot of time, especially for quick and repetitive tasks.
7. Know Computers: A basic understanding of how computers communicate and process information can guide better data engineering decisions.
8. Personal Projects: Practical experience is invaluable. Start projects, learn from them, and showcase your work on platforms like GitHub.
9. APIs and JSON: Many modern data sources are API-based. Understanding how to extract and manipulate JSON data will be a daily task.
10. Tools Mastery: Get proficient with your primary tools, but stay updated with emerging technologies and platforms.
11. Data Storage Basics: Know the difference and use-cases for Databases, Data Lakes, and Data Warehouses. Understand the distinction between OLTP (online transaction processing) and OLAP (online analytical processing).
12. Cloud Platforms: The cloud is the future. AWS, Azure, and GCP offer free tiers to start experimenting.
13. Business Acumen: A data engineer who understands business metrics and their implications can offer more value.
14. Data Grain: Dive deep into datasets to understand their finest level of detail. It aids in more precise querying and analytics.
15. Data Formats: Recognizing main data formats (like JSON, XML, CSV, SQLite, Database) will help you navigate different datasets with ease.