• Main points: Software engineers grow in senior roles and take on more responsibility. Growth requires mastering communication, strategy, and soft influence. They build advanced architectures and run large projects. An effective Staff+ engineer becomes a core steward. Career growth is a meandering path. One needs to master influence, communication, and strategic thinking. Having deep domain context is valuable. Engineers should develop skills like 1:1 conversations, writing, and speaking. 1:1s are good for showcasing capabilities. Beyond technical mastery, engineers can interview, attend events, and run onboarding sessions. Leaders should listen carefully in 1:1s and consider team and organizational needs.
• Key information: Suhail Patel's talk at [QCon London] about growing as a software engineer. Growth is not linear. Engineers take on more complex projects and influence. They become stewards. Career growth is a journey with difficulties and opportunities. Need to master various skills. 1:1s are important for showing capabilities. Engineers can do more than technical work to boost careers. Leaders should listen in 1:1s.
• Important details: First job in software engineering came randomly. Skills like being open to 1:1s and writing for others. Improving speaking skills for effective communication. Limited interaction with colleagues on Slack. 1:1s can be about non-work topics. Engineers can interview and run onboarding sessions. Leaders have responsibilities in 1:1s.