Own Your Engineering Career (No One Else Will)

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