LitPM: Breaking into Product Management

Richie W
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LitPM: Breaking into Product Management

LitPM is a podcast dedicated to helping you break into product management and providing a glimpse into the lives of individuals who have successfully made it. We demystify the world of product management and explore all the buzz surrounding it. Whether you're aspiring to break into product management, new to the field, or simply interested in authentic conversations with real homies in Product, this podcast is for you.

  1. 11/11/2024

    Ep#24: Aurelie Y - Trailblazing a path into the inaugural Shopify APM program with no prior PM experience

    In this episode, we’re joined by Aurelie, a product manager at Printify, a Series A startup enabling anyone to start a custom merchandise business with zero inventory through on-demand fulfillment and a global network of print partners. Aurelie’s journey from business school to a coveted APM role at Shopify is full of insight and determination. After realizing her resume needed serious building to break into product, she founded The Product Project to build PM skills, pursued a CS minor to close technical gaps, and developed a philosophy around embracing 60% readiness to keep moving forward. Listen in as we discuss her experience with imposter syndrome, the power of community, and the bold choice to move to Europe to grow her career in tech. This episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice for anyone on the path to product management.

    42 min

  2. 09/15/2024

    Ep#23: Camelia H - Collaborating with Data Scientists & Mastering Experimentation as a Product Manager

    In this episode of LitPM, we’re thrilled to welcome our first-ever data scientist—Camelia, Head of Data Science at Black Crow AI. With a background that includes stints at Codecademy and Uber, Camelia shares her journey from mechanical engineering to data science, and how she partners with product managers to drive results. We dive deep into her experience with experimentation, A/B testing, and the evolving role of AI in e-commerce. Plus, Camelia gives us insider tips on what data scientists look for when interviewing PMs. If you’re a PM (or aspiring to be one) looking to master collaboration with data scientists and understand the world of experimentation, this episode is packed with valuable insights! Time Stamps (1:52) Background and intro (6:52) Transitioning to Data Science from Mechanical Engineering (9:58) Experience working with PMs (14:00) Technical data skills required for PMs (19:36) Experimentation: how to set it up, when to experiment (30:38) Impact of AI for data scientists (34:56) What Data Scientists look when interviewing PMs

    39 min

  3. 09/09/2024

    Ep#22: Angela S - Finessing the direct transition from Investment Banking to Product, and how to stand out as a candidate

    In this special episode, we chat with Angela, a Wharton grad who started in investment banking at RBC Capital Markets before pivoting to tech. After realizing she wanted to explore her creative side, Angela hustled her way into a product role at Autodesk, quickly rising to a Group PM position within three years. She then led product teams at major tech companies like Brex and Meta. We dive into Angela's journey from banking to product management, discuss how the role has evolved, and explore the future of product management in the era of AI. Whether you're into product, tech, or just looking for great career advice, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and practical tips. Tune in for a fun and fascinating conversation! (2:08) Background and Intro (6:31) Role as investment banker (8:48) Evaluating product and tech (13:42) The evolution of the product role post ZIRP (19:32) The curated approach to landing product interviews (35:56) How AI is shaping the role of product management

    45 min

  4. 05/28/2024

    Ep#21: Stephany Y - Building products at Meta, Transitioning to Startups, and the Evolution of the Product Role

    Welcome to episode 21 of LitPM! Today, we’re joined by the amazing Stephany, currently a Group PM at Atlassian. Stephany has an impressive background, having worked at notable startups like Glossier and Attentive, and kicking off her journey with the renowned Google APM internship. Post-college, she joined Facebook's rotational product manager program, where she contributed to key features like Instagram Stories. In this episode, we dive deep into Stephany's career and her unique perspective on product management. We explore her entry into the field, the various archetypes of product managers, and the work she did at Meta. We also discuss her transition from big tech to startups, her move into product leadership, and how she excels in her current GPM role at Atlassian. Whether you’re aspiring to break into product management, curious about how FAANG PMs tackle challenges, eager to advance your product career, or simply interested in the tech industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in and enjoy! Timestamps: (1:50) Background and Intro (4:17) Google APM internship (9:21) PM archetypes  (14:22) Meta’s RPM program (19:02) Building products at Meta - IG Stories vs. Snapchat (30:37) How to prepare for PM role with no background or experience (33:21) Choosing Big Tech vs. Startup as a New Grad (37:19) Exiting Meta for Startups (39:37) Transitioning into Product Leadership (43:30) The evolution of the GPM role (48:20) How product role has evolved over the years

    54 min

  5. 04/23/2024

    Ep#20: Stephen S - Landing the Meta RPM role from a non-target school

    We are celebrating Episode 20! 🚀  Join us as we welcome Stephen, co-founder of Arena, a powerful decentralized crypto exchange that's all about making alt-coin trading a breeze. From landing a spot in Meta's coveted RPM program fresh out of College to becoming an entrepreneur and co-founding Arena, Stephen has gone through it all and has minted his resume. Tune in as he shares his secrets to acing product interviews and navigating the startup landscape. Whether you're chasing your dream job or plotting your entrepreneurial adventure, this episode is your roadmap to success. Timestamps: (2:00) - Intro and background (8:59) - Breaking into the RPM role (14:43) - Cracking the product interview (23:07) - Standing out in the product interview (25:54) - The RPM Program: Projects and Scope (34:10) - Transitioning from PM to Founder

    37 min

  6. 04/14/2024

    Ep#19: Ben P - Finessing the Internal Transition into Product, from an ex-Gusto PM

    Join us on this episode of LitPM for an insightful chat with our homie Ben! He went from the first Risk hire at Gusto to a Product Manager, and he's sharing his journey with us. Learn how he navigated the transition, talked to his boss, and identified the perfect company for career growth. We'll also delve into the highs and lows of product management and how Ben's now using his experience to start his own company. If you're aiming for a career shift, this episode is a must-listen. Hit play and enjoy! Timestamps: (2:56) - Introduction and background (7:47) - Thinking about breaking into product (13:14) - Identifying a company that will allow growth into a product role (18:32) - Finessing the internal transition into Product (33:50) - Biggest fallacies in product and learning gaps (37:15) - Leaving product and how to explore early ideas as a Founder

    46 min

  7. 03/31/2024

    Ep #18: Sam P - Enrolling in a Product Bootcamp as an electrical engineer

    Our guest today is Sam, a product manager who shares her two-year odyssey, navigating from her background in electrical engineering to the unfamiliar terrain of product management. We journey alongside Sam as she deliberates between traditional education routes like an MBA and more specialized options like product bootcamps. Discover why she ultimately chose the immersive environment of a product bootcamp, specifically the renowned Co.Lab program, which offers students a simulated work experience mirroring real-life product management scenarios. For those considering a career pivot into tech without prior industry experience, Sam’s insights are invaluable. Tune in as she reveals the pivotal moments of her journey, from education decisions to landing that first job post-bootcamp.Whether you're a non-technical professional eyeing a transition into the tech world or simply seeking inspiration from real success stories, this episode is tailored for you. Join us as we unravel the secrets to breaking into product management, one story at a time. Timestamps: (2:42) - Introduction and background (5:13) - Exploring a career switch into Product (10:56) - Evaluating Product Bootcamps (15:46) - The Co.Lab product program (30:02) - Getting that first job post Bootcamp

    43 min

  8. 03/01/2024

    Ep #17: Amir P - Breaking into Product from Investment Banking

    In this episode, we’re joined by the homie Amir Prodensky. Amir’s first job out of college was in Banking, but he always knew he wanted to get into Tech. He first made a transition into a BizOps role at Revolut and eventually into a Product role. He later became one of the first business hires at an early stage Stripe backed fintech company and is now the CEO and Co-Founder of Strada, a YC-backed automation tooling company. Amir talks through how he discovered product management and why he ultimately decided to leave a path of certainty in Banking to pursue the tech industry.  This episode is for friends in Banking who are thinking about switching to a career in tech as well as anyone who is looking to switch internally into a Product role Timestamps: (1:51) - Navigating high school and college (4:29) - Experience in Banking as a new grad (9:40) - Switching to Tech as BizOps hire (29:24) - Thoughts working in Tech  (36:45) - Navigating the internal transition into Product (45:24) - Skill gaps as a newly minted Product Manager (51:27) - Reflecting on the transition and general career advice

    55 min
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About

LitPM is a podcast dedicated to helping you break into product management and providing a glimpse into the lives of individuals who have successfully made it. We demystify the world of product management and explore all the buzz surrounding it. Whether you're aspiring to break into product management, new to the field, or simply interested in authentic conversations with real homies in Product, this podcast is for you.

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