Career Path Of A Product Manager At ChargePoint
Kevin's career path began with an urban planning degree and public sector internships, but a post-graduation setback—"he had mentioned that you will be successful, but not in this current role"—led to a pivot. This unexpected event spurred the creation of their own startup and subsequent entry into the tech sector, ultimately leading to a product management role.
Career Exploration, Overcoming Challenges, Technology, Startup, Product Management
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kevin Chung
Product Manager
ChargePoint
Cornell University 2011
UCLA MBA
Political Science, American Studies
Energy & Utilities, Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member, LGBTQ, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Kevin's career path transitioned from urban planning to product management after his college internships didn't lead to full-time roles.
2. His manager's advice to pursue a different career path led him to explore his passions and start his own company in the tech sector.
3. This experience in the technology industry eventually propelled him into a product management role, highlighting the value of adaptability and exploring different career avenues.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Any internships or jobs you had before your current role?
I was an urban planning major at Cornell University's School of Architecture. At that time, I thought I would pursue a career in the public sector. I had internships with San Francisco International Airport, working on airport terminal development projects and in airport-specific management consulting.
However, my career path shifted when I learned that my final internship after college wouldn't lead to a full-time role. My manager at the time gave me advice that, while not pleasant to hear after graduation, was significant. He told me I would be successful, but not in my current position.
This was a wake-up call, prompting me to reconsider what I was passionate about and what I truly wanted to work on. I was in San Francisco during a period of significant tech growth. This led me to create my own startup and begin working in the technology sector, which eventually propelled my career into product management.