Crystal J. Hollis

Exploring Data Engineering: Skills and Mindset Shift

As I work through this course, I keep coming back to the idea that data engineering is not neutral. The decisions made at this layer, how data is collected, cleaned, structured, stored, and surfaced, shape everything that comes after. They influence which stories get told, which populations are visible, and which outcomes are even possible to measure....

Exploring Data Engineering: Skills and Mindset Shift As I work through this course, I keep coming back to the idea that data engineering is not neutral. The decisions made at this layer, how data is collected, cleaned, structured, stored, and surface…

Huge thanks to Sarah Peña for sharing her career journey and insights during Dallas College STEM League Engineers Week! Your advice on navigating careers in engineering, networking, and professional growth was invaluable.

Key takeaways from Sarah’s talk:

🔹 The Three E’s: Education, Experience, Exposure – Career growth isn’t just about what you know but also who knows you and what you can do. Keep learning, gaining experience, and building your network.

🔹 Your first job (or internship) doesn’t define your career – Sarah’s first internship helped her realize what she didn’t want to do. It’s just as important to figure out what doesn’t work for you as it is to find what does.

🔹 Self-advocacy is key – You bring value to a company, and it’s important to speak up, build relationships, and seek mentorship.

🔹 Certifications & further education – Don’t rush into extra degrees or certifications. Let your degree take you as far as it can, and if you need more, your company may even pay for it.

🔹 Networking is everything – Internal networking can open doors for promotions, while external networking helps you explore new industries and career shifts.

🔹 Finding the right company fit matters – Consider mentorship programs, education benefits, work-life balance, and growth opportunities when choosing a company.

🔹 “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll never arrive.” – Even if your career path isn’t fully clear yet, start setting goals and adjusting them as you grow.

This was a fantastic discussion, and I appreciate the opportunity to learn from it.

This week is Engineers Week at Dallas College hosted by STEM League and the STEM Institute. Today I listened to Maggie Wang, Ph.D. Candidate in Biomedical Engineering at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She provided valuable insights into navigating a Ph.D., balancing research with industry experience, and the role of AI in biomedical science. Her "CEO mindset" approach to structuring her day and making time for reading scientific news is something I definitely want to incorporate into my own routine.

A key takeaway was the importance of choosing an advisor who supports industry engagement. At UT Southwestern, Ph.D. students can take summer industry internships, but this requires advisor approval. Asking about this upfront ensures flexibility for those interested in biotech, AI in healthcare, or public health applications.

Maggie also emphasized the resilience needed in research—science rarely follows a straight path, and setbacks are inevitable. Staying connected to the broader impact of research, such as improving patient care or developing new technologies, helps maintain motivation through the long process of discovery.

Another important point was how research topics evolve. Ph.D. students typically start with a broad interest (e.g., cancer immunotherapy, AI in healthcare) and refine it through discussions with their adviser. Flexibility is essential, as unexpected findings often reshape research direction.

This discussion has encouraged me to refine my research focus and identify faculty working in AI-driven healthcare and public health applications.

This year, I want to share key takeaways from my classes, lectures, and workshops. If the information helps someone in my network, that would be awesome! [Reposting from LinkedIn]

Today, I started the GIS Programming (GIS 2335) Spring 2025 course at Dallas College with a deep dive into Python for GIS and the evolving skill set needed in the industry.

What is GIS?
GIS (Geographic Information System) is a technology that captures, stores, analyzes, and visualizes spatial and geographic data to help understand patterns, relationships, and trends in various fields such as urban planning, environmental science, and public health.

Key Takeaways from today's lesson:

▪️ Python enables automation of GIS tasks, reducing manual work.
▪️ Scripting allows for batch processing across multiple maps and datasets.
▪️ While GIS tools offer built-in functions, Python enhances efficiency for large-scale analysis.
▪️ GIS technology evolves quickly—memorization is not the goal.
▪️ Understanding GIS concepts and learning to adapt to new tools is more valuable than rote learning.
▪️ Employers prioritize:
✔️ Problem-solving skills
✔️ Adaptability and research ability
✔️ Experience with automation and scripting

This class lays the foundation for developing hands-on experience and intuition in GIS programming. I'm excited to apply these skills in future projects!