UW PM Podcast UW PM

We dive deep into Product with Curtis from how he got his break into Product to advice to his younger self.

Today we’re here with a very special guest, Iris, who is a Waterloo alumni and has previously worked in product management roles across both Canadian and American landscapes at companies like Google X, Microsoft, Neo, and Scale AI. Currently she is working with Arteria AI. On the side, she is also completing a Masters degree in Analytics and AI. Iris formerly founded an impact-driven non-profit called OpenMeal and led a team of 50 at her own startup, Neutrify.

In this podcast, Frank, a recent graduate and currently a PM at Microsoft, shares his journey into product management. Despite his initial lack of technical expertise, Frank's determination and strategic approach enabled him to gain valuable experiences through various internships and leadership roles in college. He found his passion for product management early on and leveraged his experiences to secure a PM role at Microsoft, showcasing a blend of leadership and technical skills in his career progression.



Frank's highlights his proactive approach in pursuing his passion for product management from high school to college. His early exposure to the field through a podcast and interviews with industry professionals sparked his interest, leading him to establish a product management club in his senior year to help others navigate this career path. His insights into the differences between working as a PM in traditional and technology-centric industries, along with his diverse experiences, showcase the multifaceted nature of product management and the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.



Frank's Blog: https://frankthoughts.substack.com/

In this podcast episode, we meet Justin Ford, the co-founder of Javelin Sports, a company on a mission to combat social isolation through sports. They initially set out to create a platform for adults to connect through sports but had to pivot when the pandemic hit.



[00:00:02]: Introduction and Welcome

[00:00:33]: Introducing Justin Ford, co-founder of Jafflin Sports

[00:00:44]: Javlin Sports' mission to tackle social isolation crisis

[00:02:05]: Choosing volleyball as the focus for Javlin Sports

[00:02:40]: Initial challenges and the pivot during the pandemic

[00:05:32]: Success with COVID screening app and relaunch into sports

[00:06:57]: Importance of timing and execution for startups

[00:08:08]: Identifying timing trends and executing on them

[00:08:57]: The importance of having one great idea in a startup

[00:09:10]: The opportunity for improvement in skill level at games

Discover the captivating journey of Manon Modi, a product management expert with a diverse background in government and big tech. Join him as he explores the dynamic world of startups, fintech, and the profound power of making a positive impact. Tune in to the UWPM podcast for an inspiring and insightful episode you won't want to miss!



Timestamps

00:00-Introduction and Background

3:15-Work before PM

5:15-Skills for PM

6:30-Role at Big Tech vs Startups

8:05-Projects worked on

10:10-About his book

13:30-Problem identification as a PM

15:43-Developing product sense

18:00-Side projects in school

18:55-School things that led his career progression

21:25-Thoughts on hustle culture

24:00-Things you do in free time

25:20-Why PM is so entrepreneurial

28:50-Side projects Manan is working on 28:50

31:45-General advice

Hey UW PM listeners! 

We are switching it up a bit for our design folks by welcoming UW PM alumni Catherine Hoang! Soon to graduate from the GBDA program Catherine currently works as a Program and UX Strategist at Adobe. She also used to create gaming content on Youtube and worked previously as a Go-to-Market Manager Intern for Microsoft’s Minecraft for Education.

In this episode, Matthew talks with Catherine about her journey transitioning from business to design and the key learnings she grasped in the industry from numerous informal chats and external internships. This episode functions well as a starting point for students to understand the field of program management as well as career development in the business and design space.



Timestamps

0:00-Who is Catherine Hoang?

2:34-Business & Design Roles

4:19-Product vs Program Management 

7:20-Tips for External Recruiting

10:50-Transitioning into UX & Marketing Yourself

13:23-Design Specific Resources

15:05-PM Related Resources

15:34-Soft Skills to Highlight during Interviews

19:03-Life Near Post-Grad & Work as a Contractor 

21:04-Studying Abroad

23:19-Final Advice From Catherine