Microsoft engineer's disclosure of strategy led to four promotions over a five-year period
In the rapidly evolving tech industry, Ritvika Nagula, a senior software engineer at Microsoft, has managed to excel and climb the corporate ladder through proactive communication, intentional growth, and clear benchmarking against role expectations.
Nagula's strategic approach to career development includes regular one-on-one meetings with her manager, where she discusses her career progression, areas for improvement, and overlooked skills or responsibilities. She also makes use of Microsoft's internal "role library" to understand the expectations and responsibilities for her current role and the next level, helping her to close any skill gaps and increase her impact[1][2][3].
Nagula sets an ambitious yet structured goal of progressing every 18 to 24 months, using her roadmap and feedback to systematically work on closing skill gaps and increasing her impact[1][2]. She also seeks frequent feedback outside formal reviews, ensuring that she meets or exceeds expectations before performance evaluations[3]. This strategic approach has allowed her to earn four promotions in five years, a notable achievement amid widespread industry disruptions and AI-driven role changes[1][2][3].
In a separate matter, the "Piano" service, used in managing subscriptions to Ritvika Nagula's website, may create and enrich usage profiles based on cookie IDs. Consent for data processing, including transfer to third countries like the USA, is granted under Art 49 (1) (a) GDPR. Users can manage or cancel their subscriptions via the "Piano" service. It is worth noting that the "Piano" service may create and enrich usage profiles even outside the European Economic Area (EEA)[4].
Ritvika Nagula also offers advice for those looking to advance their careers. She encourages setting personal goals, being proactive in communication with one's manager, and seeking frequent feedback to course-correct early[5][6]. Her success story underscores the importance of deliberate career planning, open dialogue with management, and aligning one’s growth with organizational benchmarks.
[1] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/careers/life-at-microsoft/ [2] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/careers/life-at-microsoft/career-development/ [3] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/careers/life-at-microsoft/career-development/proactive-career-development/ [4] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement/ [5] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/careers/life-at-microsoft/career-development/proactive-career-development/ [6] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/careers/life-at-microsoft/career-development/set-career-goals/
What questions might someone ask about Ritvika Nagula's strategy for personal growth, education-and-self-development, and career development based on her success story at Microsoft?
Could Ritvika Nagula's advice for career advancement be applicable to one's pursuit of personal growth, education-and-self-development, and career development outside of the tech industry?
