In this podcast, Irina Stanescu, a software engineer with a background at Google, Uber, and an AI startup, shares her career journey and insights into the engineering culture at major tech companies. She compares Google's structured, design-document-driven approach with Uber's fast-paced, informal environment. Irina offers valuable advice on navigating promotions, stressing the importance of building relationships, showcasing your impact, and actively planning your career growth. She also highlights the significance of influence in a tech career, emphasizing the need to establish credibility and trust before trying to persuade others.