There are different roles related to the execution of a project. Some examples are: program manager, project manager, and product manager. Jhansi Reddy, principal technical program manager at microsoft, explained the differences between these roles. We also talked about how to transition from a developer role into a program manager role. Other topics that were covered are: conflict resolution and building trust with customers.

As technology evolves, more organizations across different industries are looking to adopt new technologies. Lara Rubbelke, Partner Engineering Manager at Microsoft, talked about how engineers at Microsoft collaborate with other organizations to build technical solutions. Lara explained that through customer engineering engagements, they are able to contribute to real world scenarios and help improve products. We also talked about her trajectory to a leadership role and career advice.

Open source software is behind a lot of systems we interact with. One example is Wordpress, a system that powers over 30% of the internet. In this episode Helen Hou-Sandi, explained what Wordpress is and how it’s used to create websites. We also talked about the characteristics of open source projects and best practices. Helen Hou-Sandí is Lead Developer at Wordpress and Director of Open Source Initiatives at 10up.

Marketing and storytelling are important components of product development because they allow companies to reach their audience and share their message. Miri Rodriguez, Head of Global Intern Programs at Microsoft, explained what storytelling is and its role in brand development. Miri is the author of the book “Brand storytelling: put your customers at the heart of your brand story”.

Technology changes the way we learn and engage with content. Throughout her career, Mickey Revenaugh has worked on bringing technological advancements to education. We talked about her experience in the 80s when computers were just starting to appear in classrooms. Mickey also talked about bringing the internet to schools in the 90s and how educational content has evolved. At the end we talked about how big data and artificial intelligence are used in education. Mickey is currently Vice President of Business Development in Global Online Learning at Pearson.

There are many paths to a career in technology. Shobana Krishnamoorthy, Senior Software Developer Lead at Microsoft, talked about her time growing up and learning to code with limited access to a computer. We also talked about her work and trajectory as a Software Developer Lead. At the end, we covered topics around the Grace Hopper Celebration, and open source mentorship.

Product management is a core area that helps us build software products. Tracy Mahnken, Vice President of Product at NerdWallet, explained the different areas of product management. We talked about product experimentation, cross-discipline collaboration and market research. Tracy also talked about important skills to have in product management and leadership positions.

Technology impacts the way we learn new languages. Maya Goodall, Senior Director at Rosetta Stone, explained how different technologies are used in language learning. We talked about Lingual Learning, a company she co-founded to help students learn English. Maya explained the challenges students face and the importance of embracing heritage languages and diverse backgrounds. We also talked about her current work at Rosetta Stone, and how they’re using Artificial Intelligence in tools for language learning.

Google’s main source of revenue is digital advertising. Sissie Hsiao, VP of Display, Video and App Advertising at Google, explained what digital advertising is and its workflow. We also talked about the role of Machine Learning in advertising and tackling invalid activity. Sissie then explained her path to a leadership role.

Intel Corporation is one of the largest semiconductor chip manufacturers in the world. Since then, it has expanded and built technologies in other domains. Huma Abidi, Senior Director of AI Software Products at Intel, talked about the semiconductor and microprocessor. We also talked about technologies developed in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. At the end, Huma explained her path to an Engineering Manager role.