I spent 18 years working in technology. I was a developer, a tech lead, a program manager, and a project manager. I dabbled in product management with my own company, a lot of competitive analysis, customer service, product road maps, and strategy, but I had a number of missing pieces in key areas like go-to-market strategy, and financials. I thought you might identify and relate to being out of alignment with your goals and your skill sets. This is my story about how I went from major gaps to being hired as a Product Manager. I’ll outline the procedures and the things I learned when I took on the role of Product Manager.
Technical Depth, Limited Product Skills
My career was nearly two decades of experience in various technical and managerial roles. I spent several years in a development role, and then served as a tech lead, and then moved to program and project management. Each offered lessons in execution and team leadership, but I began to realize I was missing product management skills. I had attempted elements of product strategy, but lacked knowledge in go-to-market planning and financial aspects of developing products. Identifying this shortfall pushed me to look for more formal learning, much in the same way as I would do in technical roles.
An Interest in Resolving Client Issues
My interest in product management came from a desire to solve customer problems and create innovative solutions. During the pandemic, I had time to reflect and started looking for product management courses in India. I realized that to make a meaningful, strategic impact, I needed structured learning to fill my skill gaps. Connecting with customer needs and crafting solutions became the core reason for my career shift.
Structured Learning and Hands-On Experience
I found the Institute of Product Leadership and joined their EMBA program in 2020. Their strategy was unique, particularly during the pandemic when there were few educational opportunities. Among the things I learned were:
- Product Labs: These labs offered practical, hands-on experience. I could develop real world product skills and applying theory to real scenarios.
- Career Labs: These sessions let me demonstrate my skills directly to hiring managers. It increased my confidence in my skills and exposed me to real-world situations.
- Case Studies: Working on a range of different case studies helped me apply product management concepts in different contexts. I tackled unique challenges and helped hone my skills and inspire confidence.
- Network and Mentorship: IPL’s association of product managers has provided advice, connections, and perspectives that have been invaluable for my professional growth.
This structured environment, coupled with the experiential education and mentoring I received, really made a difference. A significant turning point in my improvement came after a few case studies; at the time I felt secure and was consistently doing good interviews.
Product Manager at Tech Startup
Today, I work as a Product Manager at a Tech Startup. I use my passion for solving customer problems and my long-standing interest in product management to produce practical solutions. The skills I gained through my EMBA help me contribute directly to product development and strategy.
Reflections and Advice: Building a Product Mindset
Key lessons from my journey include:
- Be a Continuous Learner: You must be curious and flexible to understand how product management is always changing.
- Balance Theory and Practice: Combining academic learning with hands-on, experimental learning builds a strong, well-rounded skill set.
- Develop a Customer-Centric Mindset: Understanding what customers expect and what customers have been or will be impacted by is fundamental to your success in product management, irrespective of your background.
Focus on Problems: If you love finding customer problems and trying to solve them, product management may be a highly rewarding career path for you.
A Continuous Growth Journey
There was more to the EMBA program than just a degree. It was a commitment to ongoing professional and personal growth. The program also provided me with a framework, practical experience, and a network that gave me the confidence to move from a technical professional to product leadership. My journey of going from realizing there was a skills gap to finding a role in Product Management at Opsa demonstrates that with focus and support, a meaningful career transition is achievable.
