Where Do Product Managers Come From?

Tracing the Path: A Look at the Diverse Backgrounds and Experiences of Product Managers

Becoming a product manager can be a rewarding career path for those with a combination of technical and business skills, as well as strong problem-solving and communication skills. If you're interested in becoming a product manager, here are some steps you can take:

1. Get an education: Many product managers have a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field, such as business, computer science, or engineering. A degree in one of these fields can help you gain the technical knowledge and skills you'll need to be successful in a product management role.

2. Gain experience: In addition to formal education, you can also gain relevant experience through internships, co-op programs, or entry-level positions in product development or management. These opportunities can help you develop your skills and build your resume. This is one of the most important points, if not the most, but more on that on a different blog post.

3. Obtain a certification: Obtaining a certification in product management, such as the Certified Product Manager (CPM) or the Product Development and Management Association's (PDMA) Certified Product Development Professional (CPDP) certification, can help demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field and may be preferred by some employers.

4. Build your network: Networking can be a valuable tool in your journey to becoming a product manager. Attend industry events and meetups, join professional organizations and groups on LinkedIn and facebook, and connect with other professionals in your field. This can help you learn about job opportunities and get advice from experienced product managers.

5. Develop your skills: In addition to technical and business skills, product managers also need strong communication, leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. Consider taking courses or workshops to develop these skills and make yourself a more competitive candidate for product management positions.

6. Apply for product management roles: Once you have the education, experience, and skills needed to become a product manager, start applying for product management positions. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experience, and be prepared to showcase your knowledge and expertise during job interviews.

7. Prepare for the Interviews: Once you're invited to an interview, get prepared! Learn about the company, their vision, their strategy, the evolution of the product and business, if it is a product your can try by yourself, especially if it is a B2C, then TRY IT! write down things you like, things that you liked less. Try to do as many home assignments (contact me to get access to my repository of home assignments).

Becoming a product manager requires a combination of education, experience, and skills. With dedication and hard work, you can build the foundation you need to succeed in this rewarding career, however, if I need to say what would be the most important thing to focus on, it would most definitely be, get your hands dirty as fast as possible, yes, even if it meant "volunteering" somewhere....