Beyond The Build

• EP17: The Layoff Signals Everyone Ignores (Until It's Too Late)

  Send us a textAsk us a question or suggest an Episode: https://forms.gle/8tEg2CKTNNWteSgt9In this raw and honest episode, we dive deep into the uncomfortable reality of tech layoffs that every software engineer needs to understand.Drawing from our own experiences of surviving cuts while watching teammates get let go, we break down the harsh truths about what really determines who stays and who goes.We explore the critical difference between working in cost centers versus revenue-generating teams and why your org chart position might matter more than your code quality. You'll learn to spot the early warning signs of layoffs - from leadership musical chairs to the dangerous allure of experimental projects that seem exciting until budget cuts hit.We also discuss how your life phase and responsibilities should influence your career decisions, why being unable to measure your impact is a massive red flag, and how toxic team dynamics can drag down even the best performers. Whether you're a junior dev or a senior engineer, this episode will change how you think about job security and career strategy in tech.This isn't just another layoff story - it's a tactical guide for navigating the realities of modern tech careers.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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• EP16: From Lagos to South Africa to a US Tech Giant - Career Lessons From A Digital Nomad

  Send us a textAsk us a question or suggest an Episode: https://forms.gle/8tEg2CKTNNWteSgt9In 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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• EP 15: Focusing On Solving the Right Problems (and Ignoring the Wrong Ones)

  Send us a textAsk us a question or suggest an Episode: https://forms.gle/8tEg2CKTNNWteSgt9What 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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• EP14: How to Ask for Help Without Feeling Dumb (Engineer's Guide)

  Send us a textAsk us a question or suggest an Episode: https://forms.gle/8tEg2CKTNNWteSgt9Asking 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 outWho to ask, and whenHow to show you've done your due diligenceCreating team cultures where asking for help is safeWays to ask without technically asking, like requesting unblockersWhy “not asking” can actually slow down your entire teamWhether 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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• EP13: Inside the Mind of a Senior Product Manager at Microsoft

  Send us a textProduct 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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