Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Product Managers
Entry-level product roles are competitive; Evan suggests pursuing "product internships or operations internships," or even project management roles, to gain relevant skills. Working with founders or in companies with strong product disciplines, even in roles like sales support, provides valuable experience and increases chances of securing a full-time product management position.
Product Management, Entry-Level Jobs, Internships, Career Development, Networking
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Evan Bradshaw
Product Manager
B2B SaaS Marketplace for Creative Production
UCSB
UCSB: Engineering School, Master of Technology Management (MS)
Psychology
Technology, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Consider internships in product or operations to gain relevant experience.
2. Project management roles offer transferable skills applicable to product management.
3. Working with founders or at companies with strong product disciplines provides valuable insights and experience
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
I tried to get into an associate product manager role, but it's very difficult to get into right out of school. So I would suggest trying to get into a product internship or an operations internship.
Project management is where I landed right out of school, and I think there are more than enough complementary skills you'll gain doing that. Product operations is also difficult to get into, but directly related. As long as you're working with a software development team that has product in it, then I think you're good to go.
It's really hard to break into product, so don't give up if you have to work at a hardware company, like I did. Also, working closely with founders can be really beneficial. I worked with my cousin, who was a thought leader in IT networking and big on YouTube. Working with someone like that is good for building product management skills because you learn what it takes to run your own business.
It would probably be easier to get a job like that, possibly as an intern or in a part-time capacity, and it will really help you get into a full-time role. Also, interning or working at a company that has a large product discipline, regardless of what you do, even possibly sales support, will be beneficial for your understanding of the processes and what the company is like. So those would be my suggestions.