A primary graduate degree in the field you’re looking to become a product manager is also essential. A master’s degree in business is required for most product management roles. It automatically gives your CV an edge over your competitors and gives you the requisite skill-set to understand the contemporary business world. You can prepare for your first role as a product manager while also learning to manage AI-driven products through Microsoft’s AI Product Manager Professional Certificate program. In as little as three months, you’ll have earned a certificate for your resume from an industry leader in technology. A product manager is a professional who defines a product’s strategy, roadmap, features, and success.
How to Become a Product Manager
As a project manager, you can dig into the details of a complex project and manage it day-to-day. They get to work closely with a cross-functional team, track a big to-do list, and move items from the “in progress” to the “completed” column. Sometimes at a small company, one PM will run several aspects, but if you go to a larger company it’ll be expected that you niche down.
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Product Managers are usually not entry level positions, so their salaries reflect this. We’ve aggregated thousands of salaries across glassdoor and linkedin, and early career product managers can make anywhere between 90k-105k, depending on their location and skillsets. While a technical background can be beneficial, it is not always necessary. Many product managers come from diverse backgrounds and focus on the strategic and business aspects of the role. Consider obtaining product management certifications, such as those offered by the Product Management Institute, Pragmatic Marketing, or Scrum Alliance. Certifications can validate your knowledge and commitment to the field, making you a more attractive candidate.
Product Management Frameworks
An eCommerce product manager is focused on building products for online retail markets. They need to have a deep understanding of eCommerce platforms and technologies, and design products that provide a seamless and secure online shopping experience. People from diverse academic backgrounds get selected as product managers. However, a dedicated product management training can go a long way in giving you an full-stack developer edge over other candidates.
