Being a product manager is a rewarding career. People who want to enter the field can come from different backgrounds, from sales to customer service to engineers.
Are you working full time but want to switch careers, wondering how you become a product manager? Are you fresh out of college and looking to get your foot in the door? Do you wonder how to find an opportunity or how to get your first PM job? Here are some helpful ideas on how to get your career in product management started.
1. Learn about Product Management
The first step in becoming a product manager is learning about product management. Depending on the time and resources you have available, you can take several paths on this track. One of the easiest ways to start is to do research, and read books and blogs on the topic. A good overview can be found on this Visual Guide to the Best Books on Product Management. Another way is by taking an online class. This requires more of a time and financial investment - but can go a long way in growing your network, and getting some hands on PM work under your belt. Among the courses are Udemy’s Become a Product Manager by Cole Mercer and Evan Kimbrell. The regular price is $110, but from time to time Udemy has a promo where you can buy the course for only $12. Coursera offers a number of Software Product Management Specialization courses via their subscription model for $49 per month. Bootcamps, like Product School are another option for those looking to learn in person and build a portfolio to showcase with a future employer. It costs $4500, but it can be worth it as you are learning from professionals from top companies like Google and Apple.
2. Volunteer to gain skills
After you get some knowledge on product management, a really good way to get some experience and enhance your skills is to volunteer. There are lots of nonprofits out there that may not be able to afford to pay a full time product manager, but need their help to grow the organization.
In order to find volunteering opportunities, web sites like Volunteermatch.org, Catchafire.org, are a great place to start. Engaging with these organizations through volunteering is helpful in sharpening your PM skills by working with cross-functional teams, writing user stories, and creating roadmaps. Volunteering also provides a great opportunity to network with people in the field and learn from them while contributing to a mission you believe in.
3. Join BPMA’s mentorship program
Lastly, professional associations provide a wealth of knowledge and resources including mentorship programs. Pairing up with a mentor can help you learn from a professional with experience who can guide you through your journey. Boston Product Management Association is launching a new Mentorship program that focuses on two tracks, serving both aspiring and experienced PMs:
- Aspiring and Job Seeking track
- This track is for those who are looking to enter the Product Management field, and are looking for advice on how to leverage their skills to land that next role;
- One-to-one mentorship track
This track is geared towards current product managers, product marketing managers, or mid-level product leaders where mentors provide their mentees help with career development goals and give feedback on documentation and communication.
For more information about BPMA’s mentorship program, visit our web site at: https://www.bostonproducts.org/mentorship.
Product management is an exciting and rewarding career for anyone who loves solving problems, is curious, asks a lot of questions, and leads with empathy. Hopefully these suggestions are helpful in helping you land your next role.
John Santos is a volunteer with the BPMA blog team. He is a PM who has nonprofit experience and is passionate about making an impact on people's lives.
