In this episode of the Data Neighbor Podcast, we chat with VK Xu, a data engineer at Meta, about her remarkable journey from a background in journalism to becoming a data engineer at one of the world’s leading tech companies. VK shares how she transitioned from being a non-technical data journalist to mastering coding, analytics, and engineering in the tech world.

We dive into her experiences working at startups like Hoodline and Nextdoor, and how she embraced challenges, sought mentorship, and eventually made the leap to Meta. VK’s story is a testament to the power of adaptability, curiosity, and finding what truly excites you in your career.

We explore key topics like:
- VK’s pivot from journalism to data engineering
- The power of mentorship and finding your strengths
- Building a career at Nextdoor and transitioning to Meta
- Navigating challenges in data engineering and AI’s impact

Whether you're considering a career pivot, aspiring to break into data engineering, or curious about what it’s like to work at Meta, this episode is packed with practical advice, personal stories, and inspiration to help guide your own journey.

Subscribe for more episodes where we explore data science, machine learning, data engineering, business intelligence, and career growth!

Connect with VK: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huiqixu/

Connect with Hai, Sravya, and Shane:
Hai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hai-guan-6b58a7a
Sravya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sravyamadipalli
Shane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaneausleybutler

If you need personalized advice in your data career, send us a message on LinkedIn or post a comment below!