We are excited to spotlight Nayanjyoti Sonowal, one of our most active and insightful contributors in the Databricks Community, whose journey reflects the spirit of learning, collaboration, and innovation we value most.
Dive into his story, told in his own words -
Featured Member Introduction
- Name: Nayanjyoti Sonowal
- Community nickname: @nayan_wylde ⭐
- Pronouns: He/His/Him
- Company: Major Financial Institution in US
- Job Title: Sr. Cloud Engineer
Can you provide a brief overview of your career journey leading up to your current role?
I started my career 15 years ago after graduating in Electrical Engineering, beginning as a Front-End .NET Developer. Over the years, I transitioned through various roles including SQL Server Administrator, Data Analyst, BI Engineer, Data Engineer, Big Data Developer, and Data Architect etc. working across different projects and companies.
Throughout my journey, one thing has remained constant—I’ve always been a data nerd at heart. I’ve consistently gravitated toward roles that involve working with data, and that passion has shaped my entire career.
Around 2018, I made a conscious decision to shift towards cloud technologies, which opened the door to working with Databricks and exploring modern tools and frameworks. This shift broadened my skill set and allowed me to work on more advanced data solutions.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to take my career toward AI, building on my strong data foundation to work with intelligent systems and next-generation technologies.
What do you enjoy most about your current job or role?
What I enjoy most about my current role is that I get to work extensively with Databricks, which is something I’m genuinely passionate about. I’m constantly amazed by how fast Databricks is innovating—there’s always something new happening, whether it’s a feature release, a new capability, or a better way to solve complex data problems.
As someone who’s naturally curious and loves learning, this pace of innovation keeps me on my toes and fuels my excitement every day. I love diving in, experimenting with new tools, and figuring out how to apply them in real-world scenarios. It never feels stagnant—there’s always a new challenge to take on and something exciting to learn.
If you had to describe yourself using three words, what would they be? How do you think your coworkers would describe you?
If I had to describe myself in three words, I’d say I’m a fast learner, curious, and hardworking. I enjoy diving into new technologies, understanding how things work, and applying that knowledge quickly to solve real problems.
My coworkers would describe me as humble, a great team player. I believe in collaborating openly, supporting my team, and continuously pushing myself to grow while helping others succeed.
Have you had any mentors or significant influences in your professional life? If so, could you tell us about them?
Yes, I definitely like to thank two mentors who’ve made a big impact on my career. Jimmy Cooper technical mentor who really helped me deepen my skills and encouraged me to explore new tools like Databricks more confidently. Arvind Ravichandran who shaped how I think professionally they emphasized the importance of curiosity, continuous learning, and giving back to the community. Their guidance has played a huge role in how I approach my work and how I try to support others now.
When and why did you first start using Databricks?
I actually first wrote a small notebook in Databricks back in 2019 to build a simple visualization on a CSV table, but I really started using it actively around March 2020. At that time, I was working as a Data Consultant for a client, and I was asked to perform analysis on COVID data looking at trends and making predictions on how the pandemic might impact different countries.
That’s when I truly discovered the real power of Databricks. It allowed me to process large datasets, collaborate efficiently, and run predictive models all in one place. From that point on, there was no looking back. It became one of my go-to platforms for data work.
Are there any Databricks features that you particularly enjoy or find indispensable in your work?
Honestly, all the features in Databricks are great, but if I had to pick, Unity Catalog and Databricks Assistant are my favorites. Unity Catalog really makes it so much easier to discover and manage siloed data everything feels more organized and accessible. And Databricks Assistant has been a game changer for my productivity. It helps me write codes faster, troubleshoot issues, and get things done more efficiently.
Is there a Databricks feature you wish existed or would like to see in future updates?
I’d love to see a lightweight local version of the Databricks runtime - something you could spin up in VS Code that actually behaves like the real thing. Being able to test notebooks locally with actual Spark and Delta Lake without a ton of setup would be huge. Also, it would be great if Databricks Assistant gets even smarter, like suggesting data quality checks or automating common ETL steps. That would make working on the platform even faster and easier.
When did you join the Databricks Community, and what motivated you to do so?
I joined the Databricks Community in December 2022, when I began working more extensively with the Databricks platform and wanted to deepen my understanding beyond the documentation. What truly motivated me was the collaborative and knowledge-sharing culture within the community. I was inspired by how active members supported each other with practical solutions, shared best practices, and discussed real-world use cases.
This year, after meeting professionals at the Community Booth during the Data + AI Summit, I was even more inspired to contribute actively. Engaging with them showed me how valuable the community can be for staying connected with top professionals, learning directly from experts, and keeping up to date with the latest Databricks features and innovations.
What aspects of the Databricks Community do you find most valuable or enjoyable?
What I really enjoy about the Databricks Community is how supportive and collaborative it is. I can find answers to tricky problems quickly, share ideas, and see how other people are solving similar challenges. I like earning badges for contributions and really appreciate the moderators for all the hard work they do to recognize and reward members. It’s also great having access to blogs, tutorials, and forums to learn new skills or see how others tackle challenges. I just hope that in the future there might be some swags for active community members — that would be a fun bonus!
Outside of work, what is your favourite hobby or pastime?
Outside of work, I really enjoy playing tennis and spending time with my rock band over weekend, where I play bass guitar. I also love spending time with my wife, daughter, and our dog — whether it’s going for walks, hanging out at home, or just enjoying family time. It’s a great mix of staying active, being creative, and connecting with the people I care about.
Where do you envision yourself professionally in the next three years?
In the next three years, I see myself becoming even more active in the Databricks community — whether that’s helping other members solve problems, sharing knowledge through technical blogs, or just being part of the conversations that push the community forward. I’d love to present at the Databricks Summit or user group meetups, and I’m also working toward my Databricks MVP journey, which I’m really excited about. I want to keep growing technically while giving back to the community that’s helped me so much.
Want to follow Nayanjyoti’s work and insights?
Find him on LinkedIn and on Medium, where he’s planning to post more blogs and share his learning journey.
Thank you @nayan_wylde for sharing your story and for being such a valuable part of our community. We can’t wait to see you achieve your MVP goals and continue inspiring others along the way. Here’s to more learning, sharing, and innovation together! 🚀
