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How to Prepare for Data Engineering & Big Data Certifications: A Strategic Guide

Julie Thomas
February 12, 2026 0 Comments

The career of Data Engineering is rapidly growing as organizations continue to expand their use of data and create scalable pipelines, utilize cloud platforms, and build AI-powered insights. Companies are looking for people to help them build and maintain modern data ecosystems. It is estimated that in 2026, Data Engineering certifications, 

Cloud Computing Certification programs, boot camps, and AI online courses will be great incentives for advancing careers. This guide outlines how to prepare yourself for a successful career in data engineering, what skill sets to focus on and what types of certifications you should complete to expedite your success.

Why is Data Engineering a High-Growth Career in 2026?

 Market Demand and Salaries 

 The demand for Data Engineers is on the rise largely due to;

  1. Companies are moving to the cloud

  2. Integration of AI and Big Data

  3. Need for Real-Time Analytics

  4. Transforming enterprises to digital solutions

As a result, positions such as Data Engineer, Cloud Engineer, DevOps Engineer, and Data Scientist are starting to command higher salaries because these organizations rely heavily on a strong data infrastructure to deliver services.

 There are various ways for companies to recruit candidates from;

  1. IT Training Programs

  2. Employee Training Programs

  3. Data Science Engineering Tracks

  4. Data Engineering Courses

Skills Expected by Companies

Employers today look for individuals who exhibit capability in:

  1. Data Pipelines & ETL Tools

  2. AWS, GCP, and Azure Cloud Platforms

  3. Basic Machine Learning Skills

  4. DevOps Skills and Automation

  5. Soft Skills Development / People Management Courses

Having both technical skills and leadership potential will allow you to advance quickly.

Best Certifications to Pursue in 2026

Taking the right type of cloud computing certification course or Data Engineering Boot Camp will significantly increase your future career opportunities.

Cloud Computing Certification

The following are the top Cloud Computing Certifications you should consider taking:

  1. AWS Learn Cloud Compute Courses

  2. Google Cloud Platform Training Programs

  3. AWS Cloud Engineer Boot Camp

  4. Certified Cloud Security Professional

 Data Engineering Certification

The following are the top Data Engineering Certifications you should consider taking:

 AI & Machine Learning Certification

Due to the growing use of AI in data platforms, taking the following AI & ML Certification Programs should be done as a high priority:

  1. Online AI Courses

  2. Online Machine Learning Course

  3. Machine Learning Course with Certificate

  4. Online Deep Learning Course

  5. Online ML & AI Courses

 BI & Data Visualization Certification

Having the ability to tell stories with data gives you an advantage:

  1. Data Visualization Courses and Training Programs

  2. Online Tableau Classes

  3. Microsoft Power BI Training Programs

  4. Online BI Courses

Development Preparation Plan or Roadmap 

Build Foundation (What You’ll Need to Get Started).

The foundation can be built using the following tools:

  1. SQL &  databases

  2. Python for data engineering

  3. The basics of machine/deep learning

  4. Online course in data science

Learn Core Tools Used by Data Engineers 

The primary tools in the data engineer’s arsenal are:

  1. Apache Spark

  2. Hadoop

  3. Kafka Streaming

  4. Airflow

  5. Training on DevOps (CI/CD)

Practice the Cloud

Use Cloud Computing or Cloud Technologies to Practice and Gain Experience for the Future because Cloud Computing Will Be a Must-Have Skill in 2026.

Practical experience in:

  1. Building deployed pipelines on AWS

  2. Google Cloud Platform – Hands-On Labs

  3. Online Courses in Cloud Computing

Develop Skills Working with AI and Automation 

The following are Samples of Training Available in this Emerging Field:

  1. Generative AI Training

  2. Google Generative AI Course

  3. Generative AI Training with Agentic

  4. Copilot Training

  5. ChatGPT Training

  6. ChatGPT ML Interpreter

  7. Online Courses in ChatGPT

Take Mock Tests &; Reassess Your Skills Obtained Through Self-study.

  1. Practice Tests

  2. Scenario-based Questions

  3. Time Management Drills

  4. Simulate Real Projects

Use Mock Tests to Increase Your Confidence and Speed Up the Learning Process.

Best Learning Paths for Developers Based on Career Objective

Path 1 Becoming a Data Engineer

  1. Data Engineer Bootcamp

  2. Courses for Data Engineering

  3. Certification Course in Cloud Computing

 

 Path 2: Data Scientist

  1. Bootcamp for Data Scientists

  2. Bootcamp for Data Science Online

  3. Data Science Courses Online

Path 3: Business Intelligence & Analytics Specialist

  1. Bootcamp for Business Intelligence

  2. Power BI Training

  3. Power BI Online Classes

  4. Tableau Training for Beginners; and

  5. Business Intelligence Courses that are Online

 Path 4: Leadership & Management Path

  1. Leadership & Management Courses

  2. Leadership Training for People Who are New Managers

  3. People Management Courses

  4. People Management Courses Available Online; and

  5. Soft Skills Development Training

Projects You MUST Create

 Certificates on their Own will Not Help in Obtaining Employment from Recruiters.

 You need to Build:

  1. An End-to-End ETL Pipeline

  2. A Cloud Data Warehouse (e.g. Snowflake or Google BigQuery)

  3. A Dashboard Using Power BI or Tableau

  4. A Deployed ML Model; and

  5. A Chatbot that Uses Generative AI with ChatGPT

 These types of projects Validate Your Learning.

 A Six-Month Study Plan

 Month 1 and 2

Learn SQL, Python, and Machine Learning Using an Online Course

 Month 3 and 4 

Attend a Bootcamp for Data Engineering and Practice with Cloud Technologies

 Month 5

Visualizing and Using BI Tools

 Month 6

Participating in Mock Exams and Achieving Certifications

 Following This Type of Method Will Help Prevent Overworking Yourself.

Training Options

Bootcamps

  1. Cloud Engineer Bootcamp

  2. Data Engineering Bootcamp

  3. Data Science Bootcamp

Online Classes

  1. Online Artificial Intelligence Course

  2. Online  Cloud Computing Courses

Corporate Training

  • Employee Development Training Program

  • IT Training Programs

  • Employee Training Programs

Choose training based on your available budget and schedule.

 Things to Avoid 

Avoid the following things while taking courses:

  • Lack of hands-on projects

  • Not working with actual cloud platforms

  • Neglecting to develop soft skills

  • Taking too many classes and making no progress

  • Lack of a strategy for earning certifications

Focusing on fewer classes rather than trying to take too many will help you make progress.

 Jobs After Completing Certification

Upon completion of an Online Data Engineering Course or the Cloud Engineer Bootcamp, you will be qualified for any number of these positions:

  • Data Engineer

  • Cloud Engineer

  • Artificial Intelligence Engineer

  • DevOps Engineer

  • Business Intelligence Analyst

  • Data Scientist

  • Analytics Manager

FAQs

  • Which Data Engineering certification is best?

The best Data Engineering certification depends on your career goals and experience level. Beginners can start with foundational cloud certifications, while professionals should target AWS, Google Cloud, or a Data Engineering Bootcamp to gain hands-on skills and industry-recognized credentials.


  • Are bootcamps worth it?

Yes, bootcamps are highly effective because they focus on practical, job-ready skills rather than just theory. A good Data Engineering Bootcamp provides real-world projects, mentorship, and faster learning, helping you transition into roles quicker than traditional courses.

  • How long does preparation take?

Preparation usually takes three to six months, depending on your background and study time. With consistent daily practice, hands-on projects, and mock exams, you can build strong technical foundations and confidently clear most Data Engineering or Cloud certifications.


  • Can beginners take AI Courses Online?

Absolutely. Many AI Courses Online are designed specifically for beginners and start with basics like Python and Machine Learning fundamentals. Step-by-step lessons, guided projects, and practical examples make it easy for newcomers to gradually build confidence and skills.

Your Next Step Starts Now

Data Engineering is more than just a trending skill — it’s a future-proof career at the core of cloud computing, AI, and modern business intelligence. With the right mix of Data Engineering certifications, Cloud Computing Certification programs, bootcamps, and hands-on projects, you can quickly become job-ready and stand out to employers. Don’t wait to get started. Explore BigDataTrunk’s Data Engineering Courses Online and certification training programs today, enroll now, and take the first step toward a high-growth data career.