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Honorebel, Product Manager - Engineer at Fintech Company : Advize Career Interview
Honorebel's career journey, fueled by early tech exposure and a passion for leadership, is an inspiring example of success in the dynamic world of fintech.
Beginning with impactful internships at EA Sports, ASRA Space, and Turner Construction, and even launching a startup, the product manager role at a San Francisco Fintech company involves leading engineering teams, managing diverse projects from ATM locators to government solutions, and navigating the complexities of the finance industry.
Flexibility, rapid learning, and clear communication are essential skills, matched by the enjoyment of interfacing with customers, engineers, and the business team to see products come to life.
Thriving in fintech demands strong problem-solving skills, a hyperfocused work ethic, and the ability to understand global trends through the lens of financial data, such as the impact global events have on the market.
Success was built on proactive networking, associative thinking, and clear, simple communication, which helped them to overcome the challenges of being a first-generation Black American in a field lacking representation, proving that intentional goal-setting and a strong network can pave the way for success, especially for undergraduates and graduate students who secure roles through internships, co-ops and new grad programs by preparing for them a year and a half in advance.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Honorebel S. Walker
Product Manager - Engineer
Fintech Company
University of San Diego
Engineering - Electrical
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, First Generation College Student
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Career Path of a Product Manager and Engineer at a Fintech Company
Honorebel's career path began early with tech camps and The Hidden Genius Project, an organization that trains and mentors Black male youth in technology and entrepreneurship. This led to an impactful high school product management internship at EA Sports, followed by internships at ASRA Space where they helped take the company public, Turner Construction as a project engineer, and eventually, their own startup - all experiences that highlight a deep passion for "leading teams" and building.
Main Responsibilities of a Product Manager at a Fintech Company
Honorebel explains that a product manager's primary responsibility is to "lead a team of engineers" to build products, but that role varies based on the company and specific rotations within Visa's PM program, highlighting their experience with projects ranging from the "ATM Locator" website to developing technology for government clients to track waste, fraud, and abuse.
A Day In The Life Of A Product Engineer At A Fintech Company
Honorebel, a Product Manager - Engineer at a Fintech company in San Francisco, starts the day early with meetings, sometimes as early as "six in the morning" due to working with an East Coast team, then commutes to an office near the San Francisco stadium, which offers a hybrid work environment with 3-4 days spent in the office participating in calls and design meetings, as well as working on deliverables. The product manager's daily activities are highly variable, "depending on the week or depending on what we're kind of working on as a team."
Most Important Skills For A Product Manager Engineer At A Fintech Company
For a Product Manager - Engineer role at a Fintech Company, Honorebel emphasizes the importance of flexibility and patience, recognizing personal challenges in these areas, while also highlighting the crucial ability to "learn very quickly" and to ask clarifying questions. Understanding the problem one is trying to solve and being adaptable to different work environments, whether corporate or startup-like, are also vital for success.
Favorite Parts of Being a Product Manager at a Fintech Company
Honorebel enjoys the interfacing aspect of the product manager role, particularly engaging with customers, engineering, and the business team. Being able to "look at things at a high level" and manage multiple projects simultaneously is a key motivator, aligning with the desire to keep the mind moving and observe how products transition through different stages.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Product Manager And Engineer At A Fintech Company
Honorebel's biggest challenge as a Product Manager-Engineer in a FinTech company stems from a lack of prior experience in finance, requiring them to navigate "a very complicated industry" with numerous nuances. This necessitates overcoming communication barriers to effectively translate business needs, understand financial concepts, and contribute meaningfully despite feeling "very confused" and "very lost" at times.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Fintech Industry as a Product Manager and Engineer
Honorebel enjoys being in the FinTech industry because it offers a unique perspective on how globally interconnected everyone is, explaining that "whenever you swipe your Visa card, we're receiving data points about the market." Being able to see and analyze global trends, such as the impact of world events like wars and supply chain shortages, coupled with the breadth of the industry, which allows one to work on diverse projects ranging from cash-based teams to commercial solutions for government clients, is fulfilling to Honorebel.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Fintech According To A Product Manager Engineer At Fintech Company
Honorebel believes successful individuals in the Fintech industry, especially leaders and managers, excel through strong communication skills, effective problem-solving abilities, and "being very focused about what the goals and what intentions are about whatever it is you're doing." In addition to the critical soft skills of communication and problem solving, Honorebel posits that a "hyperfocused" work ethic is also critical to a high performer's success, but that this is something that is not spoken about enough in career conversations.
What a Product Manager and Engineer at a Fintech Company wishes they had known before entering the Fintech industry
Honorebel wishes there was a recommended book to better prepare individuals for the fintech industry, specifically focusing on payments, because Visa's goal is "to make it easier for people to be paid and get paid"; and this type of book would allow a very deep dive, vertically and horizontally, into the industry. Honorebel references the book "Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time" as a generally applicable book, explaining it is something that helps to learn as fast as possible, but that it's not tailored enough to the nuances of the fintech industry.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Product Managers and Engineers
Entry-level opportunities in the field include internships, co-ops, and new grad programs, but securing these roles requires proactive preparation "at least a year and a half in advance" through subscribing to mailing lists and networking on LinkedIn. Honorebel emphasizes taking advantage of resources like university clubs and career fairs tailored for students, as these opportunities are "carved out for you because you are the future," as well as new grad programs which are tailored for specific classes of graduating students which limits the competition from professionals from other companies.
Significant Career Lesson From A Product Manager Engineer At Fintech Company
Honorebel, a Product Manager in Fintech, emphasizes the value of associative thinking for learning and pattern recognition. They also highlight the "KISS method" ("Keep It Simple, Stupid"), stressing the importance of clear and simple communication, even in complex fields like finance, to ensure ideas are easily understood.
College Experiences That Helped A Product Manager Engineer At A Fintech Company Succeed
To set up for success in college, Honorebel prioritized being highly active and visible both on and off campus, attending "at least maybe one to three events a week," even venturing outside personal areas of interest such as going to a farming event. This proactive approach to networking, including just "showing up" at places like Qualcomm and establishing connections across diverse fields, proved invaluable by building a strong network that supported startup endeavors and demonstrated a reliable and resourceful personal brand.
How Identity Has Influenced A Product Manager Engineer At Fintech Company's Career
As a first-generation Black American in a field where Black professionals are underrepresented, the interviewee acknowledged the challenges of feeling like an outlier and lacking an automatic alumni network, stating "less than 3% of tech is black". Despite these obstacles, being clear with goals, drawing inspiration from family, and proactively networking are helping to pave the way for the future and future generations.
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