Intro

I don’t know any software engineers who picked the career because they have great soft skills and thrive at communication. Most folks I know entered the field because they like to solve challenging technical problems. It’s fun to code and build things.

When it comes to managing one’s professional journey, these same people assume that great work speaks for itself. I used to think the same: work hard, and career advancement will magically follow. But that’s not how it works. Success isn’t just about technical abilities; it’s about articulating your aspirations, tracking progress, and ensuring your contributions are visible.

Own Your Career Goals

It’s easy to assume that moving forward professionally is just an artifact of hard work—your manager will notice all the great things you’re doing and advocate on your behalf. But the reality is, they are busy. Even if they care about your growth, they’re not going to remember every single thing you’ve done.

It’s your responsibility to express what you want. This can be hard if you’re nervous, shy, or don’t like asking for things—or if you’re worried about being confrontational. But the truth is, if you don’t ask, you won’t receive. Like the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

If you’re aiming for the next step in your career, you need to have a conversation with your manager and share your aspirations. You could start with something like, “I’m thinking about working toward a new role this year, and I want to understand where I stand in terms of the criteria for the next level.” This opens the door for a productive discussion about gaps and what you can work on over the next six to 12 months to make it happen.

Set Goals and Measure Progress

Once you’ve had the conversation with your manager, they’ll likely help identify areas where you need to grow. In most tech companies, moving to the next level requires you to already be operating at that level. It’s not about potential—it’s about proof.

If your manager highlights areas to improve, work with them to create a plan. For example, if you need to lead more projects, make sure they are aware of your interest so they can prioritize you for those opportunities. Begin with manageable tasks if you’re new to leading, and expand from there as you gain confidence.

Then, write clear objectives and track your development over time. Set a midway check-in to make sure you’re on track. Don’t wait six months only to find out you’ve been focusing on the wrong things. Regular feedback is key to staying aligned.

This advice applies to all kinds of professional aspirations—whether it’s stepping into a leadership role, switching teams, or exceeding expectations during performance reviews. Whatever you’re working toward, you need a clear plan, measurable progress, and regular touch points.

Represent Your Work with Confidence

Finally, when you’re meeting your goals, you need to make sure others know about it. Achievements rarely stand out on their own. In a busy company, whether at the team, org, or company level, you have to over-communicate.

It’s easy to assume colleagues know what you’re working on, but the reality is, they probably don’t. And that’s fine—it’s not personal. Part of your role is to give them context.

This might mean sharing updates about your project’s progress or highlighting the outcomes of something you’ve done. If your contributions are harder to measure—like mentoring others—make sure you document evidence of the results. For example, how have your mentees improved? What specific things have you helped them achieve?

And when you’ve completed something significant, don’t be shy about it. Make a big post, engage stakeholders, and communicate the value of your efforts in terms everyone can understand. That means covering the business results, the technical achievements, and any other relevant takeaways.

It’s important to share your influence clearly with others. While your work speaks for itself, it’s helpful to make sure people are aware of your contributions. If something goes unnoticed, it’s an opportunity to find a way to bring it to light, so it doesn't go unrecognized.

Conclusion

Self-advocacy is about being intentional with your professional life. Communicate your aspirations clearly, set measurable milestones, and share your accomplishments in a way that ensures your contributions are seen and understood. It’s not enough to do great work—you have to bring others along with you in your journey.