Introduction: Hi, my name is Malika Singal, I’m a Btech(computer science) graduate and I’m on a journey to become a product manager. Today, I’d like to share my story as an aspiring product manager, detailing the steps I’m taking, the challenges I’m facing, and my approach to building a standout portfolio. I hope my journey can inspire and guide those who are also pursuing a career in product management.
My Background: My professional journey began in Aavas Financiers Ltd, a PAN India company where I spent a year as a Network Support Specialist. I was responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the company’s network infrastructure. This included configuring and maintaining network devices, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and implementing security protocols to protect the network. During this time, I developed a keen customer empathy by solving problems for our end users, which gradually sparked my curiosity about product management. Understanding customer needs and finding solutions to their problems made me realize the importance of creating products that truly add value. So before entering into this field, Its very important to ask ‘WHY’, why you want to become a PM?
Steps I’m Taking: “To transition into product management, I’ve taken several proactive steps. Firstly, I enrolled in two consecutive Udemy courses and their instructors’ names are Cole Mercer and Evan Kimbrell, which provided me with foundational knowledge. I believe that one can learn so much by just reading books so I started reading must recommended books for product management. My top three suggestions are: 1. “The Lean Product Playbook” by Dan Olsen, 2. “How to crack PM interview” by Gayle Mcdowell & Jackie Bavaro, 3. “Inspired” by Marty Cagan. Furthermore I’m working on personal projects to apply what I’ve learned and build a portfolio.
Challenges and Learning:
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. One significant hurdle has been gaining practical experience without a formal product management role. To address this, I started working on side projects and started looking for the clients around me who wants to grow their product or brand. This taught me the importance of taking initiative and creating my own opportunities. Even though my portfolio is still a work in progress, these experiences have allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios and start building a tangible collection of my work.
Balancing self-study with other commitments has also been challenging. Finding the time to take courses, read books, and work on projects while managing other responsibilities can be overwhelming. This challenge taught me the value of effective time management and prioritization. I developed a structured study schedule, set realistic goals, and broke down tasks into manageable chunks. This approach has helped me stay organized and disciplined as I continue to build my portfolio.
Advice for Fellow Aspirants: For those aspiring to become product managers, my advice is to start right now. The resources which I’ve mentioned above (books & courses) have been incredibly helpful.
Networking is also crucial—connecting with current product managers and aspiring product managers on platforms like LinkedIn can provide insights and mentorship opportunities.
Lastly, work on real or simulated projects to build a portfolio that demonstrates your skills and thinking process.
