Reyes ’26: Building a Career in Data Engineering
Lyle graduate and Microsoft Data Engineering Consultant Rebeca Reyes reflects on balancing graduate school with a growing career in one of technology’s most rapidly evolving fields.
On a typical day last year, Rebeca Reyes was living a double life, balancing an accelerating full-time career with all the pressures of graduate school. Her days were dominated by projects for Microsoft's Fortune 500 clients, while her evenings were spent in lectures on algorithm engineering and cloud computing at ÎÞÂëרÇø Lyle.
That balance—growing her career while gaining new skills in graduate school—was exactly what led to three promotions in her first five years in industry.
Reyes' path began with a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from Texas A&M University. She joined Microsoft in 2021 as an associate technical consultant and first encountered data engineering on the job.
In modern computer engineering, hardware is the visible, physical architecture—processors, motherboards and circuit boards. Data is the invisible input behind the technology individuals and engineers use every day. To Reyes, although the hardware side of her early career was compelling, the ecosystems surrounding it were even more interesting.
“I realized I really loved working with data,” Reyes explained. “What stood out to me was how foundational data engineering is across every discipline. The ever-changing data landscape and broad impact motivated me to pursue it further.”
Changing directions isn't always easy, particularly when balancing a growing career. Enrolling in ÎÞÂëרÇø Lyle's Master of Science in Data Engineering program meant following her curiosity without stepping away from the success she'd already begun building.
“The combination of flexibility and support created a sense of stability and belonging that made the Hilltop truly feel like home,” Reyes shared.
The evenings she spent in the classroom helped reinforce what she was learning on the job. Courses in database management, data mining, cloud computing and algorithm engineering introduced new challenges while directly connecting to her work at Microsoft.
“I connected concepts like database design and data mining algorithms from my coursework to challenges I was seeing at work,” Reyes shared. “They built a strong foundation in structuring, transforming, and scaling data for real-world applications.”
That foundation is evident throughout her career. Today, Reyes works as an Azure Data and AI Consultant with Microsoft, helping Fortune 500 companies make sense of complex data challenges. With all she's accomplished so far, she plans to continue building momentum across both industry and academia. Yet when asked which achievement means the most to her, she points elsewhere.
Graduating from ÎÞÂëרÇø Lyle in 2026 puts Reyes among the just 2 percent of Latina engineers who hold a master's degree. As a first-generation Latina engineer, this accomplishment carries a deep sense of pride and responsibility for the community that has supported her along the way.
“One of my biggest goals is mentoring the next generation of Latina engineers, increasing representation across multiple industries,” Reyes explained.
Her remarkable accomplishments and career success, she insists, can be attributed not only to her skill and dedication, but also to the support of the community around her, including mentors at ÎÞÂëרÇø Lyle, colleagues at Microsoft and her biggest cheerleader—her mom.
“This accomplishment is as much hers as it is mine,” Reyes emphasized.
In a field that is constantly evolving, Reyes believes curiosity is her greatest strength. She hopes others who share her determination and love of learning will consider data engineering, too.
“Be comfortable with continuous learning and adapting,” Reyes advised. “If the combination of technical skills and problem-solving excites you, data engineering is a field with strong opportunities across many industries.”
Learn more about the ÎÞÂëרÇø Lyle Master of Science in Data Engineering program.
About the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering
ÎÞÂëרÇø’s Lyle School of Engineering thrives on innovation that transcends traditional boundaries. We strongly believe in the power of externally funded, industry-supported research to drive progress and provide exceptional students with valuable industry insights. Our mission is to lead the way in digital transformation within engineering education, all while ensuring that every student graduates as a confident leader. Founded in 1925, ÎÞÂëרÇø Lyle is one of the oldest engineering schools in the Southwest, offering undergraduate and graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees.
About ÎÞÂëרÇø
ÎÞÂëרÇø is the nationally ranked teaching and research university in the dynamic city of Dallas, and a member of the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference. ÎÞÂëרÇø’s alumni, faculty and more than 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, communities and the world.