Best Path to Product Manager Out of School

Question

Hi all, I'll be starting a masters in Info Systems in a few months with the eventual goal of getting into product management. By the end of the program I'll have completed at least one data consulting internship.

Im wondering what the best path to product management is. I saw a post on here that said its important to get skills around creating specs and being comfortable working with people, but I'm not sure what those jobs would be.

Obviously I know an APM/RPM program would be ideal but since they're so competitive, I'm looking for alternatives.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

1zm00utkpoiserg · Accepted Answer

alternatives are typically working on side projects or smaller companies where you can show experience dealing with users, making decisions based on principled prioritization, and working with various stakeholders.

typically product is about being the voice of the customer, while understanding how to get things done/executing, and working towards a greater vision/having a principled approach to problem solving.

and often at smaller companies, or by working on your own side projects, you get the ability to do all those things. hope that helps

Aproductguy · Answer

If you cant land a apm or rpm opp then i think getting a job as a product analyst or product specialist works.  Helps build ur pm knowledge and yoe in product

BolognaBot4000 · Answer

If you ask 10 product managers how they got into it, you'l probably get 8-10 unique stories. At least when I got into the field, there wasn't a clear path for it. Some ppl were design/ux, others were engineering, others were psychology believe it or not.

You'll need a mix of people management skills, familiarity with the tech you're working on, users and their behaviors, and a bonus would be some business/sales acumen. Knowing how the product will impact the bottom line makes it easier to get resources, especially when your company or team is small.

slavaUa · Answer

btw, how do you like your MS? Is it worth the money?

slavaUa · Answer

I am in the same boat! But at Bellevue College.  Trying to network and break in. Probably have to enter the field as SWE and then transition.

Best Path to Product Manager Out of School

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