NEED ADVICE ON PRODUCT MANAGEMENT JOB ROLES

Question

Dear All,
I need your advice regarding career options that will be available to me post mba.

I am a telecom engineer in India with over four years of exp.Now I want to pursue mba from USA and post mba want to join Product Management roles in IT or Telecom sector. I have found that PM roles are quite different in different companies.Can you give your thoughts on this.and Also can I join PM straight away from school or I need to work in some other roles like marketing or sales and then move to PM roles.

Please advice.

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

Thanks for sharing your question. PM can be very complicated when trying to determine the nuances. Your hunch is correct this role tends to be very company specific. Now with the right experience which seems like you have you can certainly transition to a PM role immediately post-MBA so this should not necessarily be a concern if you have the right background. I would use the recruiting process and conversations with recruiters and employees at these firms to get a better understanding of what the role entails to help determine the differences.

Hope this helps!

Hope this helps!

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

Suryav,

While the details and specifics may vary, but Product Management does mean broadly something common across organizations. The posts  here  and  here  should give you a good sense of what it entails.

The switch into PM role really depends on the nature of your current work. It is a common post-MBA goal but that also means there is competition, especially within the ecommerce space.

Hope this helps,

suryav · Answer

Thanks VeritasPrepDozie,

I have a small doubt here.I am a support engineer in Telecom domain and don't have software development or Consulting experience. My concern is will recruiters and more importantly adcom will be able to digest this Goal as short term. will not PM role go a little bit too far considering my work ex and in that case how can I make them believe.

suryav · Answer

Thanks Manish,

I really liked the way you have described product management on your website.

so in nutshell Product management is a team and they envisage a product based on market research.Then they draw a plan to develop,market and sell that vary product based on financial and market study.Here one team member may look after development and other after sales or branding.and so it is not a one man show. And if I happen to join PM role then initially I will take care of one of these domains.The team work collaboratively to make that product successful and their decision making normally entails "WHAT needs to be done at a point of time".and it is the role of Project Manager to decide on "HOW" factor.
 
please correct if I am wrong.

As I wrote earlier I am a support engineer in Telecom domain and don't have software development or Consulting experience.Will this fact deter me in any way.

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

Suryav,

You are close. What you actually do will really depend on the kind of company you join and you may end up doing all of that for instance in a startup.

The journey from a support role to PM is likely to be a tough one - development work comes closest in terms of skill match. You'd do well to think of a backup plan too.

Cheers,

suryav · Answer

Yes I also feel going to PM roles is little bit tough..but telecom companies in US dont hire intl candidates...so this the big concern ...what can i end up doing in realistic terms..

Posted from my mobile device

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

It would be very premature on my end to just suggest something since I hardly know your profile and work experience and other details Suryav. Our MBA MAP is specifically designed to answer those and other related questions. You can check it out.

Cheers,

Cheers,

NEED ADVICE ON PRODUCT MANAGEMENT JOB ROLES

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