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Bernice, Product Manager at Acer: Advize Career Interview
A career journey from sales to product management at Acer is detailed, showcasing a path forged through diverse internships in tech, advertising, and journalism.
The interview reveals a demanding yet rewarding role managing numerous projects, requiring exceptional interpersonal skills and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
Success in this field hinges on continuous learning, open-mindedness, and strategic networking, according to the Acer product manager.
Navigating power dynamics within the tech industry and overcoming a lack of initial technical expertise are discussed as significant challenges.
The interview emphasizes the value of diverse academic coursework and internships for building critical skills and establishing professional connections, ultimately highlighting a fulfilling career driven by a passion for translating customer needs into successful products, while also noting the importance of supporting women in tech.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Bernice Li
Product Manager
Acer
National Taiwan University/2016
UCLA Anderson MBA
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Fine Arts, Music, Marketing
Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
International Student, Took Out Loans
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Career Path Of A Product Manager At Acer
Bernice's diverse academic background in integrated marketing and communication, coupled with varied internships in tech, advertising, and journalism, allowed the professional to explore different facets of business. This exploration led to a career progression from sales representative in a tech company to a product manager role, driven by a desire to understand both "interacting with people" and the product itself.
Main Responsibilities of a Product Manager at Acer
As a laptop product manager at Acer, Bernice's main responsibilities included "develop[ing] new products" and fulfilling "customized orders," requiring deep customer understanding and negotiation with engineering. The new product development process presented a significant challenge, as Bernice needed to navigate technical discussions despite a non-technical background, thus improving negotiation and technical skills during the role.
A Day in the Life of a Product Manager at Acer
Bernice, a Product Manager at Acer, describes a day as "full of meetings," juggling over 15 projects simultaneously involving communication with business management, engineering, factories, and marketing teams. This multifaceted role also includes extensive paperwork and material review to ensure smooth product development and market launch.
Most Important Skills for a Product Manager at Acer
For a product manager at Acer, Bernice highlights "interpersonal skills" as paramount, emphasizing the need to adapt communication styles when interacting with diverse teams such as engineering, marketing, and sales across different countries. Further, Bernice stresses the importance of maintaining an "open-minded" approach and a commitment to continuous learning to stay current with evolving technologies and competitive landscapes within the dynamic tech industry.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Sales Representative At Acer
Bernice, a product manager at Acer, most enjoyed "mak[ing] customers' requirements come true," finding fulfillment in the entire product creation and improvement process. This role allowed Bernice to leverage their customer-centric sales background while continuously learning from unexpected challenges.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Product Manager at Acer
Bernice, a Product Manager at Acer, cites two key challenges: a lack of engineering background initially hampered communication with engineering teams, requiring extensive "homework" and consultation with senior colleagues to navigate technical disagreements; and the need to improve project prioritization and understanding of product management processes, given the numerous concurrent projects and unexpected issues encountered during a first year in the role.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Tech Industry As A Product Manager
Bernice, a Product Manager at Acer, enjoys the tech industry because of early access to new products—"sometimes I can know some product before they launch"—and the opportunity to network with competitors, building relationships and gaining broader industry knowledge. This allows for unique learning experiences and the expansion of their professional network.
What Type of Person Thrives in the Tech Industry, According to a Product Manager at Acer
Acer Product Manager Bernice highlights the importance of adaptability and a willingness to learn in the fast-paced tech industry, stating that "we always have something new," requiring individuals to constantly update their skills and adjust to changing circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on product design and production. This flexibility and commitment to continuous learning are key traits for success.
What A Product Manager At Acer Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Hardware Industry
Bernice, a hardware product manager at Acer, wishes someone had explained the industry's power dynamics beforehand, noting that "engineering teams really have stronger power," particularly regarding mature products where "the first priority would be timeline management," rather than product design influence. The significant differences between hardware and software product management roles across industries also came as a surprise.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Product Managers At Acer
Bernice, a Product Manager at Acer, recommends internships as valuable entry-level experience, citing their own marketing internship where "deep conversation with customers" fostered understanding of customer needs and industry dynamics, significantly improving communication skills. This experience, they suggest, is highly beneficial for career development.
Significant Career Lesson From a Product Manager at Acer
Bernice's significant career lesson centers on the importance of diverse internship experiences to discover one's interests, followed by strategic networking. This networking proved crucial for their career pivot from sales to product management at Acer, demonstrating that "networking is really important."
College Experiences That Helped A Product Manager At Acer Succeed
To prepare for a successful career, Bernice recommends pursuing diverse coursework, stating that "attending class from different departments" broadened their understanding of various fields. This, coupled with internship experience, which provided "a true experience to get contact in...different industry," proved invaluable in developing professional skills and networking opportunities.
How Identity Has Influenced a Product Manager at Acer's Career
Bernice, a product manager at Acer, notes the male dominance in tech management, prompting a focus on technical skills to compete and ultimately create opportunities for other women. The challenges of balancing career and family also motivated a dedication to developing competitive and transferable skills to ensure career continuity, highlighting a commitment to both professional advancement and supporting other women in the tech industry.
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