My Journey into Product Management: From Curiosity to Action

Written By Soumya Boyanapalli

When I joined my team at Duke Energy, I was introduced to the role of a “Product Manager” for the first time. I remember sitting in one-on-one meetings with my product manager and asking questions like “Do you like your job?” and “What excites you about what you do?” I was curious - really curious - but I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. 

Looking back, I realize it was a bit of foreshadowing - product management was quietly taking root in my mind. 

The Spark That Changed Everything 

As a data scientist, I had the opportunity to lead the development and deployment of an AI driven product. Of course, I did the data science work - analyzing data, building models - but I also got to lead. I worked closely with cross-functional teams: change managers, architects, design strategists, software engineers, data scientists, business partners, and stakeholders. I was solving problems, aligning teams and making strategic decisions that would create real value for users. 

I found myself reflecting and started asking myself what had I loved most about the experience? What gave me the most energy? I realized that it was the opportunity to lead, strategize, make user-focused decisions and build something meaningful with a team. That’s when it hit me: the things I loved most about the experience were all core elements of product management. 

My Roadmap for Transitioning

Being a planner at heart, I created a personal roadmap to guide my transition into product management. Like any good product roadmap, it outlined key tasks, timelines and milestones to ensure I stay on track. My focus was on three key areas: 

  1. Understand the role: Learn what product management entails and what makes someone great at it. 

  2. Building relationships: Connect with experienced professionals to gain real-world perspectives. 

  3. Acquire skills: Take courses, earn certifications and gain hands-on experience whenever I could. 

Networking: The Power of Connections

The first thing I did was look for people within my company who worked in product roles. I reached out to product owners, managers and even directors, setting up a quick 30-minute call. To make the most of these conversations, I planned ahead: 

  • Preparation: I outlined questions to ask, ensuring the meetings were productive and respectful of their time.

  • Sample Questions:

    • Tell me about your career journey and how you got into product management.

    • What do you enjoy most about your role?

    • What challenges do you face in the product space?

    • What advice would you give someone transitioning into product management?

    • Are there opportunities to gain hands-on experience or shadow someone in your team?

Each conversation was insightful and I learned that there’s no “perfect” path into product management. People came from diverse backgrounds - finance, marketing, technical roles, even wedding planning! Everyone brings their own unique perspective and that’s part of what makes the field so exciting. 

These chats also taught me the importance of following up. If someone mentioned a project or meeting that sounded interesting, I’d ask if I could listen in. If opportunities weren’t available right away, I stayed connected and let them know I was eager to help or shadow whenever possible.

I didn’t stop at internal networking. I wanted to see what the product world looked like outside my company. I searched for local product meetups and events, discovering platforms like Meetup which became an awesome resource for connecting with product groups in my city. Talking to people from different industries gave me fresh perspectives and advice - from certifications to resume tips to job opportunities. 

Learning the Skills: Courses and Certifications

To deepen my understanding, I turned to online learning platforms like Udemy and LinkedIn Learning. Here are a few resources I found helpful:

  • Udemy: Become a Product Manager | Learn the Skills & Get the Job by Cole Mercer and Evan Kimbrell. This course was insightful but also genuinely fun thanks to the instructors’ humor. 

  • LinkedIn Learning: Short, easy-to-follow courses like:

    • Product Management: Building a Product Strategy by Eldad Persky and Teg Grenager

    • Product Management: Building a Product Roadmap by Eldad Persky and Teg Grenager

    • Product Management Insights by Hari Srinivasan

    • Strategic Thinking by Dorie Clark

Certifications also became a part of my plan. Two highly recommended ones are:

  • CSPO (Certified Scrum Product Owner): Focuses on Scrum principles, product backlog management, stakeholder collaboration and maximizing value.

  • PSPO (Professional Scrum Product Owner): Offers a deeper understanding of Scrum and creates customer-focused products.

I am currently working toward my CSPO certification and aim to complete it by the end of this month. 

What’s Next?

This journey has been challenging - but who doesn't love a good challenge? It’s also been incredibly rewarding. Every conversation, course and new connection has reinforced my passion for product management. I am excited to keep learning, growing and finding new ways to gain hands-on experience. 

If you’re also on a similar path, I’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re looking to chat about your journey, share advice or simply connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Soumya Boyanapalli