🗣️ Understand the learning process of an aspiring PM

🤓 Thank you for joining us today. Could you start by introducing yourself and sharing a bit about your background and aspirations as an aspiring product manager?

👩‍💻 Of course! I’m excited to be here. My name is Sarah, and I come from a technical background with a degree in computer science. I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of technology, business, and user experience. My goal is to transition into a product management role, and I’m currently working as a software engineer. To prepare for this transition, I’ve been actively reading books, articles, and attending webinars on product management.

🤓 That’s great to hear, Sarah. Could you tell us more about your learning process? How do you decide what to read or which webinars to attend?

👩‍💻 My learning process is quite systematic. I usually start by identifying specific areas within product management that I want to learn more about. For example, I might focus on topics like user research, roadmapping, or agile development. Then, I search for highly recommended books and articles on these subjects. I often read reviews and recommendations from experienced product managers in the field.

When it comes to webinars, I prefer those conducted by industry experts and professionals who can share real-world insights and experiences. I also look for webinars that offer practical tips and case studies. It’s crucial for me to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

🤓 That sounds like a well-structured approach. How do you ensure that what you learn from these resources is effectively translated into your current work or any personal projects?

👩‍💻 It’s a bit of a challenge, but I try to apply what I learn as much as possible. For instance, if I’m reading a book on user research, I’ll find opportunities to conduct user interviews or surveys in my current projects, even if it’s not a formal part of my role as a software engineer. I think practical experience is the best teacher.

I also keep a “learning journal” where I jot down key takeaways from the resources I’ve consumed and reflect on how I can apply them. It helps me stay organized and ensures that I don’t forget valuable insights.

🤓 That’s a great approach. Can you share an example of a specific concept or technique you’ve learned through your self-study that you successfully applied in your work or projects?

👩‍💻 Absolutely! One concept I learned about was the importance of creating user personas to better understand our target audience. After reading about this, I initiated a discussion with my team about the potential benefits. We decided to create user personas for one of our software projects, even though it wasn’t a standard practice in our development process.

By doing so, we gained a deeper understanding of our users’ needs and pain points. This, in turn, influenced our feature prioritization and design decisions. It was a small step, but it made a noticeable difference in the quality of the product we were developing.

🤓 That’s a fantastic example of theory in action. Lastly, how do you envision platforms like My Product Journal fitting into your learning and practice as an aspiring product manager?

👩‍💻 I see platforms like My Product Journal as an invaluable resource for consolidating and expanding my knowledge. Having a platform where I can access curated content, real-world case studies, and engage with a community of experienced product managers would be a huge asset. It would provide me with more practical insights and networking opportunities to learn from others’ experiences and grow as a product manager.

🤓 Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your journey and insights. Your dedication and approach to learning are truly inspiring. We wish you the best of luck in your pursuit of a career in product management!