Path into Product

Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia recognized a gap. Trained in computer science, he was told he'd be an engineer. Later, in business school, he realized that the program was very high level. Could there be something in the middle, that bridged technology and business? Bridging that gap became the genesis of Product School, a community and training program that Carlos founded and runs to train the next generation of product managers.

Carlos discusses a wide-range of product management topics, including:

Check out Product School's free resources: productschool.com

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Reza Shirazi found himself in project managment roles, but always felt like something missing. Years later, while discussing his skillset with a new manager, the manager said, “Oh I get it, you’re a product guy.”

Reza, originally from Pakistan and India, felt like he had found a home in product management. He takes a principles-first approach to product, and is thrilled by the endless learning, curiosity, collobaration with other experts, and impact that a product management can bring.

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Gretchen Rodriguez, originally from Cuba, started doing product-management-like work in Spain before joining eBay's marketing team. While at eBay, she discovered product management, and made deliberate decisions to "network with intention" in order to land her first product role. 

You will love Gretchen's positive and generous spirit; and the tips she provides aspiring managers are practical and impactful.

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We often hear that people's path into product management is one part effort ten parts luck. Trevor Bruner shows us that it can be equal parts hard work and equal parts luck. Trevor has the most diverse work background of any of our previous guests. From an oil rig supervisor to a salesman, he has a great story that shows what doors determination can open for someone looking to get into product management.

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Daniel Falabella, Senior Director of Product at Duolingo, was on a path to be a business consultant, until he realized, as he says, consulting was a "scam." That insight led him to try his hand in a start up, eventually transitioning into product management.

You'll find Daniel's contrarian and bombastic insights to be pragmatic and down to earth. He'll give you recommendations of books not to read and companies not to work for, and provide some really practical advice for being one of the top 10% of product managers.

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A self-described “maker,” inspired by digital encyclopedias and science fiction novels, Lance was awed by the potential that digital technologies could unleash for humans. When mentors finally convinced him that he was a product manager, he learned all he could through conferences, books, and thought leaders.

Lance describes various paths into product, specializations or related role to product managers, flavors of product leadership, how to transition into product, and more!

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Matthew Lace has a passion for solving the world’s problems. But in the early days of his career at the UN and other global non-profits, he realized he needed a discipline and skillset in order to bring his passion into reality. While in a job interview for a project manager position, the interviewer suggested that Matt look into product management. Since then, he has found the skillset he needs to build solutions and solve problems.

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Clement is never content. In his own words, he says, "If I see a pain, I want to go and solve it." Throughout his story, you see this idea play an important role. Eventually, his CEO convinces him to become an Associate Product Manager. From the moment Clement Kao speaks, you sense that he is a teacher and mentor; well, he is! He started his own company called Product Teacher, where he helps people break into product management or improve and succeed on the job.

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