I’ve been a data (reporting) analyst for nearly a decade. I got my start writing complex SQL queries to develop reports and expanded into visualization (Tableau, Power BI). Lately I spent time as a data modeler designing DBs and helping create ETLs using ADF (though not putting hands on that process myself, I’m familiar enough with it to make it work).

I’m looking for my next opportunity and finding that my lack of knowledge in Python is creating a blocker. Also, other skills I don’t have seem to crop up, like Spark, Hadoop, etc. It seems like the Data Engineer role has been folded into my Data Analyst role and I just can’t compete any more.

Would anyone have any suggestions for paths I might take to remedy this? I can work with some online Python courses but I feel I’m not getting the full experience needed to really support the new needs being asked of those in my role. I’m hoping someone might have some suggestions for directions I might take to up-skill myself and be more prepared for the emerging needs of this changing industry.