Beyond Coding

Mo Fagir, a Principal Technical Consultant at ServiceNow with a background in AI and an internship at NASA, discusses the explosive growth of Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) roles amid declining traditional software jobs. He explains why companies struggle with AI adoption and need FDEs for systems integration. Mo outlines the essential technical skills like Python and cloud computing, while emphasizing the importance of attitude over credentials. He encourages juniors to embrace challenges and build portfolios to stand out in this evolving landscape.

Woodson Martin, CEO of OutSystems, shares insights on how software engineers can thrive in an AI-driven world. He argues that mere coding is only 20% of the job—real value comes from embracing the other 80% like problem-solving and architecture. Woodson discusses the importance of agentic workflows that automate tedious tasks while keeping humans engaged. He warns against ungoverned AI-generated code and advocates for engineers to build diverse skill sets that focus on customer impact and driving business revenue.

Michiel Overeem, Engineering Manager at AFAS, shares insights from his experience building efficient teams with just 10% of their employees as developers. He discusses the power of standardization in enhancing productivity and reveals how they hire two key types of engineers: 'craftsman' and 'product'. Michiel also explains the benefits of a four-day work week and how it fosters a culture of responsibility. Additionally, he highlights the importance of keeping engineers close to customers to drive success.

Bassem Dghaidi, a senior software engineer at GitHub with extensive experience in large-scale services, shares his insights on practical system design. He discusses the importance of simplicity over complexity, warning against premature scaling. Bassem emphasizes vertical scaling as a strategy for startups and explains how GitHub efficiently handles massive traffic with minimal architecture. He also touches on translating technical challenges into business risks and the growing influence of AI agents in coding, speeding up processes considerably.

Pasha Mazurin, Head of Mobile with over 15 years in the field including time at Uber, shares riveting insights on building a career in mobile engineering amid AI's rise. He discusses using AI as a junior engineer to enhance code generation and reviews. Pasha emphasizes the importance of mobile-first companies and the unique hiring philosophy from Uber, focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses. He reveals how AI brought joy back to his coding, and offers advice on crucial fundamentals for juniors, plus thoughts on adapting interview practices for the future.

Worried about staying relevant as AI and new tools keep changing tech? The answer isn't chasing every new framework, it's treating your career like an engineering problem you can solve.In this episode, we cover:Why staying relevant isn't about the tools (and what it's really about)The 3 essential career management tools: Brag Doc, Competency Framework, and MentorsHow to get promoted when you're already doing the workNavigating salary negotiations and knowing when to leaveBuilding a career plan that gives you permission to relaxIf you're an engineer who wants to take control of your career instead of letting it happen to you, this episode gives you the frameworks and tactics to do it.Connect with Özgen Güngör:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozgengungorTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:46 - The Biggest Challenge for Tech Careers Today00:01:33 - How to Stay Relevant in the Age of AI00:03:46 - The Coming Commoditization of Coding00:05:29 - How to Move Up the Value Stream as an Engineer00:07:35 - Your First Tech Job is a Throwaway (And That's OK)00:09:24 - The Power of Breaking Down Your Career Plan00:11:44 - You Work 13% of Your Life: Why Intentionality Matters00:13:56 - I Have Too Many Career Options. What Do I Do?00:15:34 - The "5 Whys" Exercise for Your Career00:19:38 - How to Get Your Manager to Be Your Ally00:22:15 - The Truth About Big Tech's Broken Promotion Process00:24:43 - The #1 Person Who Cares About Your Career00:28:48 - Why You MUST Keep a "Brag Doc"00:34:08 - How to Avoid Falling Behind in Promotions00:37:33 - What is a Competency Framework?00:40:34 - How to Map Out Your Own Career Ladder00:44:35 - The Silent Factor That Kills Engineering Performance00:48:31 - Your Career Transcends Your Company00:52:40 - The 5-Year Plan That Changed My Career00:56:18 - 3 Essential Tools for Total Career Management#TechCareer #SoftwareEngineering #CareerAdvice

You asked, I answered. In this Q&A episode, I tackle the toughest career questions you submitted: from getting promoted when the process feels political, to negotiating salary, to leading projects as an IC.In this episode, we cover:* Holding peers accountable when you're not their manager* Navigating promotions when the process is political or unclear* Increasing your salary with strategic job offers* Building real authority and getting noticed by leadership* Staying relevant in the age of AI without burning outThis is for software engineers who want practical strategies to level up their careers, increase their earning potential, and make real impact without the fluff.Join me at React Advanced and Tech Lead Conf in London:https://ti.to/gitnation/react-advanced-london-2025/discount/CODING20Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:19 - Holding Peers Accountable When Managers Won't Help00:03:58 - The Surprising Truth About Code "Quality"00:05:43 - Scaling Accountability Across Large Teams00:07:50 - When Climbing the Career Ladder Feels Political00:12:37 - How to Stay Relevant in Tech Without Burning Out00:14:49 - The Key to Learning Without Feeling Overwhelmed00:15:18 - The Real Difference for Engineers Working Globally00:17:44 - What to Do When You Get a Better Job Offer00:20:51 - Finding Motivation Beyond a Higher Salary00:21:41 - How to Build Real Credibility and Authority00:25:31 - The Advice I'd Give My Junior Developer Self00:29:05 - The Art of Effective Delegation00:31:47 - Why Delegation Is Really an Act of Trust00:32:21 - Team Player vs. Individual Star: A False Choice?00:34:43 - The #1 Personal Development Skill for Engineers00:37:11 - The Hidden Dangers of Relying on AI Tools00:40:08 - Is Volunteering at Tech Conferences Worth It?00:42:50 - My Personal Struggle with Embracing Change00:45:32 - The Career "Regret" I Don't Actually Regret00:46:45 - How to Stay Productive While Dealing with Grief00:49:08 - My Process for Finding Great Podcast Guests00:50:48 - The Secret to Making Guests Feel Comfortable00:52:06 - How Podcasting Transformed My Communication Skills00:53:35 - Handling Guarded or Difficult Podcast Guests00:56:11 - Final Thoughts & How to Support the ChannelGot questions for the next Q&A? Drop them in the comments 👇#SoftwareEngineering #CareerGrowth #TechLeadership

Sander Mak, Director of Technology at Picnic and creator of the Tech Academy, shares secrets to elevating one’s engineering career. He emphasizes the importance of understanding core principles over just coding skills. Sander explores the value of 'boring' technology, the pitfalls of copying without comprehension, and the shift from coder to product-focused engineer. He also discusses training strategies, fostering developer happiness, and integrating soft skills with technical growth to prepare engineers for real-world challenges.

In this session, Kate Ivanova, a seasoned Product Manager with a strong background in AI product development, discusses the evolving landscape of tech teams. She highlights how AI is merging the roles of product and engineering, enabling smaller teams to drive significant impact. Kate emphasizes the need for adaptability and an experimentation mindset for AI workflows. She also shares insights on ideal team structures, the importance of engineers understanding business, and ways to boost developer happiness and ownership. Tune in for a fresh take on modern tech collaboration!

What if you could turn a weekend project into a core product feature at a major tech company? We sit down with Behrouz Pooladrak, a software engineer and hackathon legend at Booking.com, to uncover how these intense competitions can fast-track your skills, career, and impact. He shares the mindset and strategies that took his ideas from a one-day build to a real-world product used by millions.In this episode, we cover:How to treat your hackathon project like a mini-startup to guarantee success.The surprising skills you gain from short-term projects that your daily job can't teach you.How companies like Booking.com use hackathons to innovate and train new talent.Why personal projects are the secret weapon for career growth.This episode is for any software engineer looking to distinguish themselves, learn new technologies rapidly, and make a real impact in the tech industry.Timestamps:00:00:49 - The Mindset of a Prolific Builder00:02:42 - How AI Helps You Build an MVP in One Day00:06:26 - Why This Engineer is a Hackathon "Living Legend"00:07:41 - From Hackathon Idea to Real AI Product00:11:42 - The Secret to Winning: Treat it Like a Startup00:17:22 - How Booking.com Onboards Juniors with a 4-Week Hackathon00:20:25 - Why We Still Need Junior Engineers in the Age of AI00:26:57 - The #1 Struggle Teams Face in Hackathons00:31:04 - The Real Reason to Join a Hackathon (It’s Not the Prize)00:35:46 - How to Start and Finish Your Personal Projects00:40:12 - The Feedback Loop Between Your Job and Hobby Projects#SoftwareEngineering #Hackathon #CareerGrowth