Spotify Spotlight: Interview with Data Engineer Ankita Pawar
This is part 4 in our new interview series called “Spotify Spotlight.” In these interviews, we showcase Spotifiers working in a range of different tech roles, and learn more about their journey to Spotify and what they love about working here.
What’s your name and where are you from?
My name is Ankita Pawar. I was born and raised most of my young age in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. I completed my undergrad in Computer Science in my hometown before moving to the US for graduate studies. In the US, I have been flitting between various states on the east coast, moving from North Carolina to Massachusetts, to Georgia, and then finally shuttling between New Jersey and New York.
What was your journey to Spotify?
After finishing my master’s in Computer Science, I found my first job in Massachusetts as a Software Engineer. It was here when I gained exposure to big data through various company initiatives and helped design Batch & Real-time data processing infrastructure. This experience kindled a thirst to learn everything about Big Data and gave a sense of realization I love the disciplines of Data Engineering and Data Science. After moving to NJ/NY area two years back, I immediately began looking at Spotify as my next destination given it was clear I wanted to work for a data-driven company.
What do you do at Spotify?
I work as a Data Engineer in Spotify’s Data Infrastructure Tribe. I started working with Spotify’s AB Testing Platform to design and implement data infrastructure for generating metrics around hundreds of AB tests. I briefly embedded on a team responsible for generating core datasets at Spotify. I am currently working with a team that focuses on improving the data quality aspect at Spotify. Apart from my day-to-day role as a Data Engineer, I have also been a Project Manager for an internal project at Spotify, which later graduated to a Road Manager role.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
At Spotify, we generate a lot of data. Designing infrastructure solutions that can transform this data into meaningful insights for various business needs and guarantee quality is very challenging but essential. Companies like Spotify are in many ways on the cutting edge with data, so there is a lot of trial and error and learning as you go.
How would you describe the Spotify culture and what it means to you?
The diverse and inclusive culture of Spotify will quickly make you feel at home. Spotify genuinely cares for its employees and provides all the support for their growth and exposure. Internal moves and short-term embeds are highly encouraged at Spotify. If you have skills & interests beyond engineering, Spotify is the right place for you. You will get all the opportunities to explore, hone and advance those skills here. Throughout my time at Spotify, I have found great mentors and buddies.
Tags: Data
