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.
Entry-Level Jobs, Networking, Career Development, IT Support, Customer Service
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jake Carlisle
Senior Product Owner
Pacific Gas & Electric
UCLA
N/A
Anthropology, Sociology
Energy & Utilities
Cyber Security and IT
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level positions in product ownership are competitive but accessible with relevant majors.
2. Customer service and support roles offer entry points, allowing networking and learning about the company.
3. Coding and IT opportunities exist for CS majors, providing insight into the organization and potential upward mobility.
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
I think this field is pretty good for undergraduate college students. Getting immediately into a product specialist or product owner job might be difficult.
If you major in something that's a direct translation into a product, you might be able to do it. But the good news is, if you look at how I moved into this job, it was a bit of a lateral move.
I think if you have any interest in support or customer service, those are good ways to get your foot in the door. Companies are always hiring, especially during big initiatives or upgrades, and they'll hire interns or temporary workers to help out.
This allows you to start meeting people, networking, and asking questions. You can try to get inside information on hiring timelines and talk to people doing good work in the field. See if you can envision yourself in those roles and how you might grow there.
I think entry-level computer support roles, and depending on your major, coding opportunities, are great ways to get in. It really gives you a sense of how the IT organization is set up, who is in power, and what the morale is like.
You might not be able to go immediately into a subject matter expert role, but it's a great field for entry-level people looking to learn and then move up.
Advizer Personal Links