Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Product Managers
Stacie, a Chief Product Officer, notes that entry-level product management roles exist but are "tough" due to the broad skillset required; a supportive team is crucial for success in this area, while software engineering offers more structured entry points with a focus on "solid programming skills" and understanding the software development lifecycle.
Product Management, Software Engineering, Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Communication
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Stacie Frederick
Chief Product Officer
Stanza Systems
UC Berkeley
USC, MS Computer Science
Computer Science
Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Product management offers entry-level opportunities, especially in larger companies with mentorship programs. However, it's challenging due to the breadth of skills required.
2. Software engineering provides more structured entry-level roles, focusing on coding skills and gradually increasing responsibility within a team.
3. Strong coding skills are crucial for software engineering roles, while a collaborative mindset and understanding of the software development lifecycle are beneficial for both product management and software engineering.
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
I've seen plenty of entry-level product managers, and it is possible to succeed. This is especially true in a large enough company where you can get your feet wet in a specific area. It's also helpful to work with someone experienced who can guide you on how to think about problems, conduct research, and create a plan.
You'll also learn how to work with a technical team. However, product management is a tough role because you need experience in so many different areas. When you're starting from scratch, you'll likely be less experienced in all of them.
It makes a huge difference if you're on a really good team. Seeing how that team works well together will show you what you need to learn. Having people around you who can give good feedback and model effective practices is really important.
On the software engineering side, there are lots of opportunities, especially if you come in with solid programming skills. The rest involves understanding how your programming fits into the software development lifecycle. This includes working with team members, submitting code according to processes, and understanding the deployment pipeline.
Learning how to test effectively is also crucial. I would say this path is much easier because there's typically more structure. Companies can give you a small task, and as you grow, you'll naturally get bigger tasks and more independence.