Bridging Infrastructure & Data: My Journey as a Data Engineer at Discover®
Name: Prajakta (she/her)
Title: Data Engineer
Office Location: Chicago, 606
Tell us about your role at Discover. What is your favorite project you’ve worked on, a core Discover memory, or a Discover culture moment that stands out to you?
I am a Data Engineer on the Fraud Authorizations team where I focus on implementing data domains for fraud-related data. My role has allowed me to participate in both sides of the equation—first, by helping build the platform as part of the Cloud Data Fabric team supporting the enterprise data management optimization initiative (aka Program Helix), and now, by diving deep into the data to develop robust domains on top of it. This dual-sided experience helped me connect dots between infrastructure and data, giving me a distinct advantage in my current role.
What truly stands out to me at Discover is the people and culture of continuous growth. I deeply value the strong sense of community that makes Discover a great place to work.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned? Would you give any advice for new Data & Analytics (DNA) employees?
The biggest lesson I've learned is the importance of adapting to change. Change may not always be comfortable, but it keeps us moving in the right direction. For new DNA employees, my advice is to always be on the lookout for ways to help problem solve for business partners. By focusing on adding value to the organization through your work, you’ll not only contribute to the success of the team but also pave the way for your own growth and development.
What Discover Behavior shines brightest in your area of work?
The Discover behaviors that shine the brightest on our Fraud Auth Domain team are "We are good partners" and "We take responsibility." We prioritize collaboration, ensuring we work closely with our partners and domain leads to align on our shared goal of making data reliable and actionable. At the same time, we take full ownership of our work, holding ourselves accountable to deliver high-quality data domains to make a meaningful impact.
Is there anything else you want to share about your journey at Discover?
My Discover journey has been truly rewarding. I've had the privilege of meeting remarkable people who have inspired and mentored me along the way. Discover has provided me with invaluable learning opportunities in the data engineering space, helping me grow both professionally and personally.
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