Entry-level positions for aspiring Product Managers at Amazon
While entry-level associate product manager roles exist, Hema notes that a more common path is starting as a software engineer or business/data analyst before transitioning into product management after "one, two years or three, four years." Some companies, however, do offer undergraduate training programs leading directly into associate product manager roles.
Software Engineering, Data Analysis, Business Analysis, Product Management, Career Paths
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Hema Chalamalasetty
Senior Product Manager
Amazon
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
UCLA Anderson, MBA
Engineering - Chemical
Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
International Student, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Many companies hire engineers or data/business analysts who can transition into product management after a few years.
2. Some companies offer associate product manager roles directly to undergraduates.
3. A common career path is to start as a software engineer and then move into product management over time.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
I know some companies take undergrads directly into Associate Product Manager roles and train them. However, it's still rare for someone to get these positions straight out of undergrad.
This is happening more often now than when I graduated. But what I've most commonly seen is people starting their careers as engineers. They begin as Software Development Engineers in tech companies or any other sector.
Eventually, over time, they move into product roles. I've also seen people start as business analysts or data analysts and then transition into product management. This usually happens after one to four years, depending on their interests, experience, and the company.
There are also some companies that do bring undergrads in immediately as Associate Product Managers and train them to get them involved.