In this episode, Oleg and Mark dive into the world of software engineering career progression, exploring when it's time to move on from a role, how individual contributors can forge meaningful growth paths without defaulting to management, and the evolving skills—both technical and people-oriented—that shape long-term success. We cover the influence of AI, advocating for practical, targeted applications that solve real problems rather than generating excess content, and emphasize the need for verification and reliability in code-generation technologies. With insights for both experienced professionals and new grads, the conversation covers understanding business value, avoiding the pitfalls of overly narrow technical roles, and approaching job opportunities with a mindset focused on adding demonstrable value, making it clear that successful careers are built on active engagement and continuous growth.

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