Anh Dung Lam, Data Engineer Associate at our Milan office, divulges what it takes to become an excellent Data Engineer and reflects on the benefits of being part of Metyis’ diverse, multicultural team.
Meet Anh Dung Lam, our Data Engineer Associate in Milan
Tell us more about yourself.
My name is Anh Dung Lam, though my colleagues often call me Andy. I am originally from Hanoi, Vietnam, but I have been living in Milan with my family since 2017. I started with a bachelor's in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Kongju, South Korea, before moving to Italy in 2014 to undertake a master’s degree in Statistics and Information for Organisations and the Financial Market at the University of Calabria. During the last year of my master’s, I worked as a Data Visualisation Specialist for a small company in northern Italy. Soon after graduation in March 2018, I was employed as a Data Analyst and continued working in the role until August 2022. In September 2022, I joined Metyis’ team in Milan as a Data Engineer Associate.
In my spare time, I love playing table tennis and football; I find them therapeutic in helping me to release all my stress almost instantly. I also like reading when I get the chance.
What did you want to be growing up?
From a young age, I was always interested in technology and how it can be applied to solve problems. I initially pursued a Computer Engineering and Statistics degree, later discovering my passion for data engineering. I enjoy working with large datasets and finding meaningful insights from them. I am also interested in furthering my career by migrating machine learning and AI models.
What was your path to Metyis?
After previously working for a company for five years, I was considering moving to an international organisation, as I saw it as an opportunity to develop my skills further and gain valuable experience working with a diverse collection of people from around the world. Additionally, it can be a chance to learn more about new cultures, languages, and ways of thinking; this is an indispensable occasion for personal growth and development. This sentiment steered me towards Metyis, and that is why I decided to do an interview. After only 4 hours, I was resolute that I would join the adventure.
What is your current role at Metyis?
I’m an Associate Data Engineer, which entails implementing methods to improve data reliability and quality, combining raw information from different sources to create consistent and machine-readable formats, and developing and testing architectures that enable data extraction and transformation for predictive or prescriptive modelling. Furthermore, I firmly believe that data is not just boring numbers but a valuable resource that helps us better understand our users and their desires. This kind of awareness has always been one of the fundamental reasons I wanted to pursue a career in data engineering. Now, I can apply it to help businesses maximise their value using data.
What qualifications should be needed to become a good data engineer?
From my point of view, to become a solid data engineer, you should first have a strong foundation in computer science. A bachelor's degree in a field such as mathematics, science or computer programming can also be a strong start for a career in data engineering. Besides that, there are some other essential areas to master, including coding skills in Python, Scala or Java, knowledge of SQL and No-SQL, and a good understanding of cloud solution platforms such as the Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure. Last but not least, a passion and enthusiasm for data-driven decision-making are integral and should be at the heart of any data engineer.
What do you think about the future of data engineering?
With my experience and understanding of the field, I fully believe in an exceptionally bright future for data engineering. In times to come, I think it’s imperative for data engineers to focus on Data Cloud Activities, including improving performance and cost optimisation and Machine Learning Models.
What small things about working at Metyis make a big difference?
A positive attitude. I find an optimistic mindset in each and every colleague I’ve encountered, from my PM to my supervisor. It permits an environment that precipitates better collaboration amongst colleagues, increases motivation, and reduces stress. A positive attitude can also help boost morale, leading to increased job satisfaction and a more engaged workforce.
How do Metyis and your team inspire you to be a better professional?
The Milan team and wider Metyis community inspire me to continuously improve as a professional through their innovative ideas, diverse perspectives, and unwavering commitment to excellence, which will enhance my professional development. Working at Metyis provides opportunities for professional growth and helps individuals to develop their skills and advance in their careers. I am grateful to be part of a team that encourages innovative and creative thinking, forging new ways to solve problems and fostering a positive working environment, which increases my job satisfaction, motivation and better overall performance.
What are you most excited about for the future of Metyis?
Collaborating with colleagues from different countries and cultures with varying perspectives can be challenging at times. However, it’s a truly fun and advantageous journey that I’ve found myself on, one where I can learn and accomplish more than ever before as part of Metyis’ fast-growing, internationally diverse team. I look forward to continuing this journey and developing both my personal and professional skills.
Tell us about something you are proud of working with Metyis.
Counting my experiences working for different companies and positions, I am proud to be a member of the Metyis community, particularly the Milan team. I feel extremely happy and thankful for being treated with respect, integrity, and accountability. At Metyis, we are motivated by an incredible teamwork culture, not by impersonal directives from the management and our efforts are always rewarded with an excellent benefits package.