Jake, Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas & Electric: Advize Career Interview
A journey from unfocused college years and retail jobs to a Senior Product Owner position at Pacific Gas & Electric, this professional's career path highlights adaptability and networking as key ingredients for success.
The role involves managing complex product issues, collaborating with vendors, and ensuring excellent user experience. A day in the life balances technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills and a forward-thinking approach.
While technical skills are important, adaptability, a positive attitude, and strong communication are paramount.
The most rewarding aspect is the creative influence over product direction and the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies.
The biggest challenge is the rapid pace of technological change, but this is seen as an exciting opportunity for continued learning and growth within the utility industry.
Advice for aspiring professionals includes starting in customer service or support roles to gain valuable experience and build connections, and prioritizing determination and self-belief in cultivating strong professional relationships.
Academic performance doesn't need to be stellar, but consistent forward momentum and avoiding major setbacks are critical.
The interview offers a unique and inspiring perspective on navigating a successful career in the tech industry, particularly within a large utility company.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Jake Carlisle
Senior Product Owner
Pacific Gas & Electric
UCLA
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Anthropology, Sociology
Energy and Utilities
Cyber Security and IT
None Applicable
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path of a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas and Electric
Jake's career journey, beginning with a sociology/psychology degree and unfocused college years that included retail work, evolved through various roles—from facilities maintenance at UCLA to retail management at Abercrombie & Fitch—demonstrating a consistent ability to leverage connections and a positive attitude ("always put those out...always try to show up with a smile"). This approach, combined with self-driven learning and embracing opportunities outside initial comfort zones (such as a tech startup and vodka sales), ultimately led to a Senior Product Owner position at PG&E, highlighting the value of adaptability and networking in career progression.
Main Responsibilities of a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas and Electric
Jake's main responsibilities as a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas & Electric involve handling "more complicated or deeper issues" related to the company's products, requiring expert knowledge and collaboration with vendors like Microsoft. This includes staying ahead of updates, testing changes, and communicating effectively with end-users, demonstrating "total ownership" and adopting a "beginner mindset" to ensure user experience.
A Day In The Life Of A Senior Product Owner At Pacific Gas And Electric
A senior product owner's day involves monitoring product performance ("checking on your product status"), proactively identifying and addressing issues, and building relationships across departments to gather feedback and anticipate future needs. This necessitates a blend of technical expertise, strong interpersonal skills ("people skills of staying connected"), and a forward-thinking approach to navigate evolving technological landscapes and potential product obsolescence.
Most Important Skills for a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas and Electric
Jake, a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas & Electric, emphasizes that while technical skills are listed on job descriptions, "adaptability, excitement for learning, and people skills" are far more crucial for success. The ability to handle changing responsibilities, maintain a positive attitude, and navigate interpersonal dynamics effectively are key, as these "softer skills are a little bit more difficult to…acquire."
Favorite Parts Of Being A Senior Product Owner At Pacific Gas And Electric
Jake, a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas & Electric, most enjoys the creative input and ability to influence the direction of their product, stating that the role allows them to "speak about the direction of where I would like to see things go". This contrasts with past roles, and the opportunity to leverage emerging technologies like "cloud and AI" while pursuing personal passions and continuous learning is a key source of satisfaction.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Senior Product Owner At Pacific Gas And Electric
Jake's biggest challenge as a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas & Electric is the rapid rate of change inherent in the tech field, making it "a very daunting, very overwhelming" task to stay current and relevant. This constant learning curve, however, is viewed as an exciting opportunity for growth and maintaining a position at the "forefront of knowledge."
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Utility Industry As A Senior Product Owner
Jake, a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas & Electric, enjoys the technology and continuous learning in the utility space, finding immense satisfaction in contributing to "an essential resource" – providing energy that powers homes and keeps communities functioning. The impactful nature of the work, despite an office setting, is a significant source of pride for Jake.
What Type of Person Thrives in Energy, a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas and Electric Explains
Jake, a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas & Electric, identifies two successful profiles in the industry: "an extremely technical smart person," a "technical whiz," or someone with strong "soccer skills"— adept at collaboration and finding answers— demonstrating that diverse skillsets can lead to a fulfilling career.
What a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas and Electric Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Technology Industry
Jake, a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas & Electric, advises that the technical knowledge requirements are less demanding than initially perceived; "you can and will gain it if you're asking the right questions," emphasizing the importance of adaptability in a rapidly evolving technological landscape where "two, three years later, it's a completely different product."
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Product Owners at Pacific Gas and Electric
Jake, a Senior Product Owner, advises that while entry-level product roles might be challenging, starting in customer service or a support role provides valuable experience, networking opportunities ("getting your foot in the door"), and insight into the company culture. This approach, mirroring Jake's own career path, allows for upward mobility within the IT field, eventually enabling a move into specialized roles.
Significant Career Lesson From a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas and Electric
Jake's most significant career lesson centers on "determination and self-belief," emphasizing the importance of investing in people and cultivating positive relationships rather than solely focusing on technical skills. This approach, Jake explains, involves being "flexible, be fun, be positive," ultimately leading to stronger professional connections and career advancement.
College Experiences That Helped a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas and Electric Succeed
Jake, a Senior Product Owner at Pacific Gas & Electric, surprisingly reveals that "I was not a good undergraduate student," yet emphasizes the importance of simply staying on track academically, avoiding major setbacks that could hinder future progress. This allowed Jake to be "positioned that once I kind of figured things out, I had the ability to take that next step," ultimately demonstrating that consistent forward momentum, even without a clear career path initially, can be a key ingredient for career success.
Advizer Personal Links