Path into Product

027: Creativity, Questions, and Curiosity | From Fine Arts to Product Manager | Diana Cameron

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 06:05:00 +0000

Today’s guest, Diana Cameron, followed a winding, creative path to product management. From web design to fine arts to mass communication, and even a sprinkling of film production, she finally transitions from customer experience to product management.

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026: 20+ Years of Non-Linear Experience | Business Analyst to Head of Product | Kyle Jacobsen

Wed, 15 May 2024 06:05:00 +0000

Today’s guest was a stunned business analyst who, when he was invited to join a new product management group at a company, did NOT ask: what’s product management? Nope, his first question was a lot more practical than that.

Today’s guest is my friend and mentor, Kyle Jacobsen. Kyle has over 20 years experience in product management, from entry-level all the way up to head of product.

We cover a wide range of topics: what product management was like 20 years ago (spoiler: a LOT different than now), the non-linear path of success, how “product manager” is actually a misnomer , and more

Kyle's website: https://www.kylejacobsen.me/

Send me your success stories: pathintoproduct@gmail.com

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025: Tell Me Why | Business Analyst to Product Manager | Emily Holcomb

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 06:05:00 +0000

What do product managers, toddlers, and the Backstreet Boys have in common? The answer to that riddle is what drives my guest on Path into Product today. Meet Emily Holcomb, a senior product strategy manager with over 6 years experience. Today she shared how curiosity and questions lead her along the path from a part content manager, part business analyst to full product manager.

Send me your success stories: pathintoproduct@gmail.com

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000: Find Your Path into Product Management

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 06:05:00 +0000

Becoming a product management professional has never been more difficult. Just look at any entry-level job posting on job boards, and you’ll see hundreds of applicants within hours. That is an incredible amount of competition! No wonder we call it “breaking” into product!

But becoming a product manager is not impossible.

The Path into Product podcast is here to help you find your path into a fulfilling product management career. If you are an aspiring PM, or maybe you’re only considering product management as a career, then you will hear stories from real, down-to-earth professionals about how they broke into product. I’ve interviewed dozens of product professionals, and I’ve found that there’s no single way to become a product professional, and you’d be surprised at how random some of these paths into product can be. My guests will walk alongside you, sharing their lessons learned, like a seasoned mentor showing you the ropes. No more wondering how to become a product manager.

I’m Aaron Airmet, a senior product manager with over 7 years experience in software product management. Join me as we dive deep into real professional’s real stories. I promise you will find your own Path into Product. Hit that subscribe or follow button, and listen today.

I'd love to hear from you! Email me at pathintoproduct@gmail.com

024: A "Recovering Developer"

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 03:59:49 +0000

Dan Barker, a self-described "recovering developer" found his way into product after various software developer and consulting roles. As a deep reader and experienced professional, Dan is very knowledgable about the craft of product management. He provides several recommendations for aspiring PMs—including several books to read.

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023: Childhood Memories and Passions

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Chris Campos gained a love for business and customer relationships while working in the family business. He fell in love with products while working in an Apple Store. Now he’s a director of product at Ramsey Solutions. Hear his story, insights in how to become a product manager, and his recommended books for aspiring product managers.

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022: Be a Sponge

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Logan Cottle has changed his mind about product management being a “cush” job. He was headed down the road of dentistry when a simple question began a journey into technology companies. First, starting as a Customer Success Manager, he gained a love for data and analytics and slowly made his way into product management. Logan’s story is a perfect example of making deliberate and iterative steps toward a career in product.

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021: Confidence and Crippling Self Doubt

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 12:00:00 +0000

In episode 21, Sarah Dethloff shares her unconventional path into product. With a background in journalism, Sarah decides to follow somewhat of a family path into teaching. After spending two years with Teach for America, she winds her way from "product lite" into her first "real product" role. Sarah's story is a perfect blend of accidentally falling into product management, finding a job based on family needs, luck, and talent. Her story will resonate with so many of you. Sarah is now Head of Product Strategy at Campfire.

Have feedback for the show? Email us pathintoproduct@gmail.com or complete our survey: https://forms.gle/STu2RYuM7qxG8fY47

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020: The Adventure of Product

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia recognized a gap. Trained in computer science, he was told he'd be an engineer. Later, in business school, he realized that the program was very high level. Could there be something in the middle, that bridged technology and business? Bridging that gap became the genesis of Product School, a community and training program that Carlos founded and runs to train the next generation of product managers.

Carlos discusses a wide-range of product management topics, including:

Product is a mindset, not just a title
What's changed for aspiring product managers trying to get in
The future of product management
Product manager portfolios
How to invest your time to land the first product role
Curiosity and always learning
Strong opinions, loosely held
Eating your own dog food (or as Carlos would say: drink your own champagne)
And more

Check out Product School's free resources: productschool.com

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019: Collaboration, Curiosity, Customer

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Reza Shirazi found himself in project managment roles, but always felt like something missing. Years later, while discussing his skillset with a new manager, the manager said, “Oh I get it, you’re a product guy.”

Reza, originally from Pakistan and India, felt like he had found a home in product management. He takes a principles-first approach to product, and is thrilled by the endless learning, curiosity, collobaration with other experts, and impact that a product management can bring.

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018: Providing Value

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 14:02:20 +0000

John Franck found his way into product management through many experiments, starts, failures, and successes. When he felt computer security was not for him, he knew something out there had to suit him. John's story offers helpful insight into how to provide value while networking and offers practical examples of being in the right place at the right time. John's Book Every Product Manager's First 90 Days: A Workbook for New Product Managers can be found here on Amazon. Have a product question of feedback for the show? https://forms.gle/BbHwHtfE62ccG8e16 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pathintoproduct/message

017: Network with Intention

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Gretchen Rodriguez, originally from Cuba, started doing product-management-like work in Spain before joining eBay's marketing team. While at eBay, she discovered product management, and made deliberate decisions to "network with intention" in order to land her first product role.

You will love Gretchen's positive and generous spirit; and the tips she provides aspiring managers are practical and impactful.

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016: Hard Work and Luck

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 13:00:00 +0000

We often hear that people's path into product management is one part effort ten parts luck. Trevor Bruner shows us that it can be equal parts hard work and equal parts luck. Trevor has the most diverse work background of any of our previous guests. From an oil rig supervisor to a salesman, he has a great story that shows what doors determination can open for someone looking to get into product management.

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015: Obsessed with Finding Truth

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 10:00:00 +0000

Daniel Falabella, Senior Director of Product at Duolingo, was on a path to be a business consultant, until he realized, as he says, consulting was a "scam." That insight led him to try his hand in a start up, eventually transitioning into product management.

You'll find Daniel's contrarian and bombastic insights to be pragmatic and down to earth. He'll give you recommendations of books not to read and companies not to work for, and provide some really practical advice for being one of the top 10% of product managers.

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014: “You haven't talked to me yet”

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 13:05:55 +0000

Alicia French has a get-it-done approach to life and solving problems. After taking a difficult customer call while working in client success, Alicia has 24 hours to solve her customer's problem. This leads her to talk to all the people she can and presses forward, seeking an answer. Her tenacious journey ultimately led her to product managing the experience this customer was facing. Have a product question or feedback for the show? Let us know by clicking here --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pathintoproduct/message

013: Maker to Product Leader - Lance Willett on How to Become a Product Manager

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000

A self-described “maker,” inspired by digital encyclopedias and science fiction novels, Lance was awed by the potential that digital technologies could unleash for humans. When mentors finally convinced him that he was a product manager, he learned all he could through conferences, books, and thought leaders.

Lance describes various paths into product, specializations or related role to product managers, flavors of product leadership, how to transition into product, and more!

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012: Passion + Skillset

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 16:18:10 +0000

Matthew Lace has a passion for solving the world’s problems. But in the early days of his career at the UN and other global non-profits, he realized he needed a discipline and skillset in order to bring his passion into reality. While in a job interview for a project manager position, the interviewer suggested that Matt look into product management. Since then, he has found the skillset he needs to build solutions and solve problems.

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011: Lean In

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 12:00:00 +0000

Clement is never content. In his own words, he says, "If I see a pain, I want to go and solve it." Throughout his story, you see this idea play an important role. Eventually, his CEO convinces him to become an Associate Product Manager. From the moment Clement Kao speaks, you sense that he is a teacher and mentor; well, he is! He started his own company called Product Teacher, where he helps people break into product management or improve and succeed on the job.

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010: "I Hate Sales. It's Not Me."

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Path into Product goes international! Robert Drury started in professional sports, tried his hand at managing a cinema, and eventually landed in sales and business development. While there, he developed a knack for listening to customers needs and figuring out how to solve them while delivering value for the business.

Robert is also founder of Getting Started in Product, where he shares content and services for people trying to, well, get started in product. You can find great content at https://www.gettingstartedinproduct.com.

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009: How Failure is Better than an MBA for Product Managers

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 12:00:00 +0000

Justin Knutson, senior product manager at O.C. Tanner, is no stranger to failure. After dropping out of high school (and never completing a GED), Justin started and failed eight small businesses. Yet he credits those failures with teaching him to approach business, product management, and life with an insatiable curiosity, humility, and willingness to learn.

Justin shares his insights on questions like:

What is at the core of being a good product manager?
Do you need a formal education to be a successful product manager?
What non-traditional learning experiences prepared Justin to be a product manager?
Why should someone not choose to be a product manager?
And so much more!

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008: "Unemployable"

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 03:02:07 +0000

Steve started as a cocky college student ready to change the world. After being told he was unemployable and then getting fired, he managed to pull himself together and continue to find opportunities to solve some incredible problems. He found himself in several different roles and leaned in when no one owned the customer's voice. During their career day, he teaches Product Management at his children's school every year. He is also CEO of a seed round startup called Campfire. This episode felt different to record and edit. He was thoughtful, clear, and inspiring. We kept it long so you, too, could experience all that Steve had to offer.

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007: Sprinkler Parts to Software Products: Tips from a PM with only 3 Months Experience

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 02:50:56 +0000

Jeff Compton is fresh off his path into product--with only three months of experience. He tells his story from mechanical engineering sprinkler parts to landing his first product role at a growth-stage company.

Jeff shares his insights on questions like:

Is an MBA a good path into product?
What do companies care about when hiring a product manager?
How can someone gain product experience before landing their first product role?
How to find an internship—even during government-mandated COVID lock downs?
Is an internship enough experience to be hired as a product manager?
Why choose a smaller company rather than a larger one to start your product management career
Why you wouldn't want to choose product management as a career?

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006: If You’re a Politician or Masochist, Product Management Might be for You

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 16:40:50 +0000

Billy Gast, Group Product Manager, tells his path into product from a technical background, moving from computer science into product. He discusses a wide gambit of topics: how PMs need to be politicians; the less glamorous parts of product; the difference between a Group PM, Growth PM, and Technical PM; product as a craft in start ups vs. established companies; and so much more! —— Have a question or want to provide feedback? Use this link to answer our Google survey: https://forms.gle/cVNRzyZsuNDMVrM99 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pathintoproduct/message

005: How to Land your First Product Role: Advice from a Senior Director of Product after 23 Years

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 04:28:27 +0000

After listening to this episode Nate Barrett will feel like an old friend. Nate shares valuable insights into hiring product managers, how to gain product manager experience, and how to make a difference in product. This episode is purposefully different, with a view point from a person hiring a product manager. We loved our discussion with Nate, and we think that you will love it too. Have a question or want to provide feedback? Use this link to answer our Google survey: https://forms.gle/cVNRzyZsuNDMVrM99 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pathintoproduct/message

004: Okay Becca, now you're a Product Manager!

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 14:34:31 +0000

Becca DeVito, desperate to find work, found herself in a dingy office for an interview. After filling out her information on a computer equipped with Windows 95, she landed a job at Goldman Sachs. After 8 years, she joined the start up Weave, wearing many hats including Product Manager. Listen to how Becca made a role for herself, took on hard problems, and worked with so many people along the way. She is now a successful product manager at Kenect. Have a product question or feedback for the show? Let us know here: https://forms.gle/cVNRzyZsuNDMVrM99 Like the show? Subscribe, give us a 5-star rating, and share with your friends! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pathintoproduct/message

003: From Project to Product

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 04:14:18 +0000

After experiencing the tactical nature of project management and being a Scrum master, Sara wanted to push herself outside of her comfort zone and attempt the strategic role of product manager. She provides great insights into the difference between project and product management; and shares a day in the life of a product professional.

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002: Not a Developer. Not a UX Designer. Maybe Product Manager?

Sat, 03 Jul 2021 22:54:17 +0000

Ethan, a self-described introvert, worked in customer success, where he dove deep in understanding the problems and pain points of his product’s customers. After a friend was hired into the product organization, he was introduced to a group of decision makers who worked with engineers to help them build the product. Overtime, he was able to join as a product manager—which started a crash course in learning an entirely new skillset.

Ethan’s pragmatic communication style will give you a good idea of a product manager’s daily life, and how you could join the product field by networking and transitioning within the same company.

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001: PhD to Product VP: Dave Rackham

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 02:52:26 +0000

Dave Rackham pursued a career in academia, until he couldn't shake a deep realization from his mind: complex, multi-faceted problems require multi-disciplinary solutions. Listen to Dave's Path into Product, from PhD to product manager, to now VP of Product at a growth-stage start up.

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