Beyond Coding

Are you waiting for a promotion that never comes? In this episode, we break down why relying on your manager to define your growth is a career-limiting mistake and how you can take full ownership of your professional path.
In this episode, we cover:
Why hard skills get you hired but won't get you ahead
How to create growth opportunities when your company has no clear path
Using RACI to own decisions and increase your visibility

Connect with Zanina:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaninakatira

References:
RACI - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsibility_assignment_matrix

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:51 - Why hard skills get you hired but soft skills make you thrive
00:04:17 - How to connect your code to actual business results
00:06:44 - The art of storytelling for technical professionals
00:09:16 - Balancing execution speed with team collaboration
00:11:57 - The problem with forcing engineers into management roles
00:15:13 - Surviving when technology outgrows your current skillset
00:17:59 - Using the RACI method to clarify ownership and decisions
00:21:23 - What to do when your manager has no answers for your growth
00:24:40 - Why you should value scope of work over job titles
00:28:39 - How to pitch and negotiate impactful projects to leadership
00:33:00 - Expanding your perspective by networking outside your team
00:35:35 - Visualizing your ambition and defining what success looks like
00:39:16 - Overcoming the fear of asking for constructive feedback

#careergrowth #softwareengineering #softskills

Software engineers often think adding AI is just a simple API call, but moving from a Proof of Concept to a stable production system requires a completely different mindset.
Maria Vechtomova breaks down the harsh reality of MLOps, why rigorous evaluation is non-negotiable, and why autonomous agents are riskier than you think.

In this episode, we cover:
The essential MLOps principles every software engineer must learn
How to bridge the gap between a demo and a production-grade solution
Strategies for evaluating agents and detecting model drift
The security risks of customer service agents and prompt injection
Practical tips for using AI tools to boost your own productivity

Connect with Maria:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-vechtomova

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:25 - Why the AI Hype Was Actually Good for Monitoring
00:03:07 - Real-World AI Use Cases That Deliver Actual Value
00:05:16 - MLOps Basics Every Software Engineer Needs to Know
00:08:08 - The Hidden Complexity of Deploying Agents to Production
00:12:02 - Minimum Requirements for Moving from PoC to Production
00:15:41 - Step-by-Step Guide to Evaluating AI Features Before Launch
00:18:08 - How to Handle Data Labeling and Drift Detection
00:21:55 - Why You Likely Need Custom Tools for Monitoring
00:24:56 - Why Engineers Build AI Features They Don't Need
00:26:01 - How Software Engineers Can Learn Data Science Principles
00:31:36 - The Dangerous Security Risks of Autonomous Customer Service Agents
00:34:44 - Why Human-in-the-Loop is Essential for Avoiding Reputational Damage
00:36:18 - Boosting Developer Productivity with Opinionated AI Prompts
00:39:20 - Using Voice Notes and AI to Organize Your Life

#MLOps #SoftwareEngineering #ArtificialIntelligence

Are your technical skills actually holding your career back? In this conversation with Anand Sahay, Global CEO of Xebia, we explore the controversial reality that "mediocre" engineers often climb the corporate ladder faster than technical wizards. And what you need to do to change that trajectory.

In this episode, we cover:
Why simplicity and business value beat complex code every time
The specific mindset shift required to move from Senior Engineer to Executive
How to maintain technical intuition and manage risk without micromanaging
The hidden arrogance that stops great engineers from becoming great leaders

This discussion is essential for software engineers, architects, and technical managers who want to break through the "tech ceiling" and understand how decisions are really made at the top.

Connect with Anand:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ansahay

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:28 - How to Pitch to Executives (And Not Get Rejected)
00:03:42 - The #1 Trait of Elite Engineering Leaders
00:06:15 - Why AI Answers Destroy Your Credibility
00:10:11 - Why Mediocre Engineers Get Promoted Over Great Ones
00:14:15 - The Truth About the "Individual Contributor" Track
00:16:16 - The Arrogance Trap: Why Devs Fail at Business
00:22:08 - Stop Being a "One Man Army" (Unless You Do This)
00:25:32 - From Developer to CEO: The Uncommon Path
00:29:07 - Why Most Engineering Teams Are Structured Wrong
00:32:17 - How to Spot a Toxic Tech Culture
00:34:44 - Will AI Replace Senior Engineers?
00:38:40 - Maintaining Technical Intuition Without Coding Daily
00:41:53 - When to Approve "Bad" Ideas for Team Morale
00:48:41 - The "Hard Part First" Rule for Innovation

#SoftwareEngineering #TechLeadership #CareerGrowth

Tools change and frameworks die, but your career doesn't have to. Marijn Markus joins the show to explain why "Don't be a fool with a tool" is the single most important piece of advice for modern software engineers and data professionals.
In this episode, we cover:
The "Meta-Skill" of learning how to learn new technologies
Why real innovation often originates in "dark" industries like crime and warfare
How to future-proof your career against AI agents and automation
Why understanding the business problem is more valuable than writing the code
This conversation is essential for engineers who want to move from memorizing syntax to mastering the skills that actually last.

Connect with Marijn Markus:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marijnmarkus

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:01 - Realizing That Data Science Can Actually Save Lives
00:04:36 - Predicting Refugee Movements With Hamburger Prices
00:07:05 - Why You Should Try Different Roles Early in Your Career
00:12:37 - Learning in Banking to Eventually Help Non-Profits
00:15:38 - Why Certifications Are Compensation for Lack of Experience
00:18:36 - The Single Most Important Skill in the Tech Field
00:21:39 - "If They Understood the Problem, They Wouldn't Hire You"
00:25:48 - Why Innovation Comes From War, Crime, and Adult Industries
00:31:16 - The Danger of AI Agents and Automated Social Engineering
00:35:03 - Focus on Skills That Do Not Have Expiration Dates
00:39:47 - How to Navigate Truth in the Era of Deepfakes
00:41:30 - Don't Be a Fool With a Tool (The Selenium Trap)
00:45:25 - Rising Above the Tools to Become an Expert
#SoftwareEngineering #CareerAdvice #Technology

Are you just executing tickets, or are you driving business impact?
In this episode, Praveen Murugesan (VP of Engineering at Samsara) breaks down why the best engineers don't just write code and why "coding skills" alone won't get you there.
He explains the critical shift from "software engineer" to "product engineer," why you shouldn't wait for permission to solve problems, and how to de-risk high-stakes projects like a true owner.

In this episode, we cover:
The difference between a "Ticket Taker" and a Product Engineer
Why Product Managers should NOT be doing project management
How to grow to Staff Engineer without managing a large team
The exact interview questions to ask to test a company’s culture
A real story of an engineer telling a VP: "That's not an important problem"

Connect with Praveen Murugesan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/praveenmurugesan

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:55 - Product Engineer vs. Software Engineer: What’s the Difference?
00:06:20 - Why Product Managers Should Not Do Project Management
00:11:06 - The Danger of "Flying Blind" Without Business Context
00:15:24 - Why Curiosity Is the Ultimate Leverage in the AI Era
00:25:06 - Why the Best Ideas Must Win Regardless of Hierarchy
00:27:43 - The #1 Interview Question to Test for Engineering Ownership
00:32:12 - How to Test a Company’s Culture Before You Join
00:36:04 - Why You Don't Need to Be Senior to Be a Product Engineer
00:40:46 - Managing High-Stakes Projects and De-risking Failure
00:43:56 - What I Learned From Breaking Production at Salesforce
00:48:29 - The Myth About Staff Engineering and Managing Teams
00:51:59 - The Engineer Who Told the VP: "That's Not an Important Problem"

#SoftwareEngineering #StaffEngineer #CareerGrowth