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In this episode of Beyond the Build, we sit down with Fola, a Senior Security Engineer whose career has taken him from Nigeria to South Africa and now the United States.

We unpack what it means to build a career across countries and cultures. Fola opens up about his journey out of Nigeria, the culture shocks he faced moving to Cape Town, and how he learned to navigate both corporate and social environments that were radically different from what he knew. We talk about the mindset it takes to thrive when you're constantly adapting, the invisible codes of workplace culture, and how he’s built strong relationships across borders.

Whether you’re thinking about working abroad, already navigating a new environment, or just curious about how tech looks in different parts of the world, this conversation is full of honest reflections and actionable insights.

Follow us on Social Media Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebuildpodcast) TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondthebuildpodcast)

Connect with Ope - https://www.linkedin.com/in/osunkoyaope/

Connect with Uma: Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/umacodes) Tiktok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@umacodes) Twitter: (https://twitter.com/umacodes) LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/umaabu/)

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Ask us a question or suggest an Episode: https://forms.gle/8tEg2CKTNNWteSgt9

What if the secret to making an impact at work isn’t solving every problem—but knowing which ones to ignore?

In this episode of Beyond the Build, we dive into one of the most overlooked but critical parts of being a software engineer: identifying the right problems to solve, at the right time, in the right way. It’s not about doing more work—it’s about doing the work that actually moves the needle.

We explore the strategic art of letting things fail (on purpose), why clearly articulating a problem is sometimes more valuable than jumping to a solution, and how to assess whether a problem is worth solving before you invest weeks into fixing it. We also get into the political layer of engineering: how to build buy-in, how timing can make or break good work, and why aligning with company KPIs and leadership priorities matters more than technical perfection.

From navigating town halls to choosing visibility over perfection, we break down the soft skills and unspoken dynamics that separate senior engineers from the rest. If you’ve ever felt like your most meaningful work goes unnoticed—or wondered why someone else got credit for something you quietly saved—this episode is for you.

Follow us on Social Media Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebuildpodcast) TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondthebuildpodcast)

Connect with Ope - https://www.linkedin.com/in/osunkoyaope/

Connect with Uma: Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/umacodes) Tiktok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@umacodes) Twitter: (https://twitter.com/umacodes) LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/umaabu/)

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Asking for help might seem like a basic skill, but in software engineering, how you ask can impact everything from your productivity to your team’s trust. In this episode of Beyond the Build, we break down the underrated art of asking for help at work.

We talk about:

• The mental shift engineers need to make when reaching out
• Who to ask, and when
• How to show you've done your due diligence
• Creating team cultures where asking for help is safe
• Ways to ask without technically asking, like requesting unblockers
• Why “not asking” can actually slow down your entire team

Whether you're early in your career or years in, this is the episode that’ll change how you think about asking for help—and maybe even how you give it.

Connect with Ope - https://www.linkedin.com/in/osunkoyaope/

Connect with Uma: Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/umacodes) Tiktok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@umacodes) Twitter: (https://twitter.com/umacodes) LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/umaabu/)

Follow us on Social Media Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebuildpodcast) TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondthebuildpodcast)

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Product managers wear a lot of hats—but what do they actually do?

In this episode of Beyond the Build, we sit down with our first-ever guest: Thien-Y Le, a Senior Product Manager at Microsoft, to get the unfiltered truth about one of tech's most misunderstood roles.

Thien-Y walks us through the real work of a PM—from balancing customer demands with business goals to managing relationships with engineers. We dig into what it takes to build a roadmap, why product managers are sometimes called “mini-CEOs,” and whether PMs really need to know how to code.

We also talk about the joys of bringing a product to life, the pain of navigating conflicting priorities, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that rarely get airtime.

Whether you’re an engineer curious about what PMs do in all those meetings, or a PM looking to feel seen, this episode gives you a candid look at product management inside one of the world’s biggest tech companies.

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In this episode of Beyond the Build, we dive deep into the often-overlooked world of tech networking and collaboration.

We share our personal experiences from dozens of conferences and meetups, revealing which events actually moved the needle for our careers and which ones were just free pizza and swag. You'll discover why general networking events are often a waste of time, how to identify the specific meetups that align with your goals, and the art of finding collaborators who complement your skills.

From navigating your first tech conference to building a network that opens doors you didn't even know existed, we break down the strategies that have worked for us and the mistakes we've made along the way. Whether you're a junior developer looking to break into the industry or a seasoned engineer seeking your next big opportunity, this episode will change how you think about professional relationships in tech.

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Every developer faces the same exhausting question:

Should I learn this hot new technology everyone’s talking about—or is it just another flash in the pan?

In this episode of Beyond the Build, we tackle the tech trend dilemma head-on. Some believe staying on top of the latest frameworks, tools, and AI models is essential to stay relevant in the job market. Others argue it’s all hype—what really matters will stick, and you’ll learn it when you actually need it.

We dive into both sides of the debate: the "stay current at all costs" crowd vs. the "ignore the noise" philosophy. We talk about how chasing every new announcement can lead to burnout and FOMO, and why blindly tuning it all out might leave you behind in important conversations.

You’ll hear:

• When it actually pays to follow trends
• How to spot transformative tech before it becomes mainstream
• A framework for deciding what’s worth your time
• Where to find unbiased takes in a world of vendor hype
• How to stay informed without being overwhelmed

We also explore why certain technologies last while others fade, and how to use judgment, curiosity, and timing to build a career that grows with the industry—without being ruled by it.

Whether you’re just starting out or years into your career, this episode will help you build a sustainable strategy for keeping up with tech without losing focus on what really matters.

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In this episode of Beyond the Build, we’re talking about one of the most overlooked parts of software engineering—being a great teammate.

Software engineering isn't a solo sport—it's the ultimate team game. But while we spend countless hours perfecting our technical skills, we often overlook the collaboration skills that actually determine our career success.

In this episode, we dive deep into what it really means to be someone people want to work with. We explore the characteristics that make certain engineers stand out—not just for their code but for how they make their teammates feel valued, heard, and empowered.

We break down collaboration at three levels: being a great teammate on your immediate team, contributing meaningfully to your organization, and making a positive impact across your entire company. From creating psychological safety where people feel comfortable asking questions to mastering the art of giving credit where it's due, we cover the practical skills that transform good engineers into exceptional collaborators.

You'll hear about the engineers we've worked with who left lasting impressions—and why people might not remember the details of your technical solutions, but they'll always remember how you made them feel. We discuss making yourself approachable, being the kind of reliable person others can count on, and how authentic connection drives both personal satisfaction and professional growth.

If you've ever wondered why some engineers seem to effortlessly advance their careers while others plateau despite strong technical skills, this episode reveals the missing piece of the puzzle.

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In this episode of Beyond the Build, we’re diving deep into what it really takes to get promoted as a software engineer. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about writing good code.

We break down how to think about promotions through the lens of impact, influence, and ownership, the pillars that often separate engineers who stay stuck from those who move up. You’ll learn what’s typically expected at each level, how to work with your manager (instead of just hoping they notice you), and why aligning with business priorities matters more than most engineers realize.

Whether you're feeling stuck, eyeing the next level, or just want to better understand the game behind the growth, this episode is for you.

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In this episode of Beyond the Build, we dive into the critical skill every engineer needs, but few are taught: how to collaborate with leadership. From one-on-ones with your manager to hallway chats with directors and VPs, we cover what you should be saying, asking, and sharing to make your work more visible, effective, and aligned.

We break down the types of conversations to have, how to tailor your updates to different levels of leadership, how to ask for feedback, and how to make sure your work doesn’t get lost in translation. Plus, we unpack the power of brag sheets and how to use them without sounding like, well, a jerk.

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In this episode of Beyond the Build, we dive deep into the art of running effective engineering meetings. 

We break down different types of meetings, when you should prep with documents (and how to write good pre-reads), how to align with key people before a big meeting, and why every meeting should have clear outcomes before it even starts.

We also discuss how to structure meetings based on who's attending, the power of AI tools to automate note-taking, and how to turn meetings into action—not just another calendar event.

Whether you’re a tech lead or an engineer, you’ll get practical tips to make your meetings shorter, more effective, and outcome-driven.

Tune in to transform your meetings from time-wasters into powerful tools for team alignment and productivity!