So what is product management?
Author: Nini Ren
Everyone around me wants to go into “PM”… but what is it, and why do people want to go?
In our previous post, we explored going into product without being a product manager in roles such as program management, product marketing, and product strategy. Now, we dive deeper into what is product management.
As part of Wharton’s 2021 TechWeek, we paneled Wharton second-year MBA students who explored a product management internship last summer at Google and Apple. We got an inside peek into their world, and we’re excited to share what we found out. Read on!
Who is on the panel?
To respect the privacy of our panelists, we just listed their roles — hope you understand :)
Google PM Intern #1
Google PM Intern #2
Google PM Intern #3
Apple PM intern
Why did you decide to pursue a product management internship?
A decision-making seat with end-to-end purview of responsibilities
“In my previous roles, I did a lot of growth, product, and strategic analyses, and I would hand over my recommendations and move on. But I wanted a seat at the decision-making table, more ownership of the product roadmap, and end-to-end scope from understanding user needs and overall strategy to product definition to actually implementing the product.”
Google PM Intern #1
A way to leverage both the technical and executive skills acquired from the MBA program
“I was a software engineer and had an engineering degree prior to business school. I wanted to pivot into a role that utilized more executive skills such as developing business strategy, team management, and leadership that I acquired from my MBA at Wharton. Product management seemed like the perfect fit. You’re in the role of a mini-CEO of a feature set or product suite and need to have an ability to influence without authority.”
Apple PM Intern
An exploration of different types of PM and a chance to drive impact
“I had 5 years of PM experience in fintech, and I wanted to do PM in a different area of tech. I really love the gamut of things like execution, production sprints, and really defining and adding value to users with the products I launch. I wanted to explore PM at a big technology company because they have standardized the PM role and have a track record of launching great products that impact thousands, millions — if not billions of users.”
Google PM Intern #2
Tell us about the day-to-day experience.
Crafting the product requirement document
“The main deliverable for the internship and a good chunk of the PM job is working towards writing up the product requirement document (PR/FAQ for Amazon or PRD for Google). The document outlines the product or feature you are trying to launch and goes into detail on the research that supports the implementation and launch of the product. Writing this document is a very iterative process that requires talking to a span of different specialists from engineering to designers to UX to other PMs. By the time a requirements document is finished, it is ready to be handed off to the engineers to implement.”
Google PM Intern #1
Testing your cross-functional management skills
“In PM roles, you have to influence without authority — which is the biggest challenge of the role in my opinion. You are responsible for the product, but have no authority over the engineers, designers, your managers, or other PMs that this product will affect. It is up to you to use those skills cultivated from business school to drive your big vision and give on the smaller details. So it is a lot of relationship building, developing subject matter expertise to establish credibility, and presenting findings from your research in a compelling way.”
Google PM Intern #3
Understanding the customer/user needs and pain points
“My manager said that you want to sit in the problem and stay there as long as you can. Because then you truly understand the customer’s needs. You understand the highest level of goals and what competitors are doing to address them. You will also start to explore all the complexities that bubble up from how to price the product, how to deliver the product, and how customers will perceive the value of your product.”
Google PM Intern #2
What does a future career look like in product management?
Chief, VP, Director, Head, and Master of the Universe of products or maybe a startup
“I’m thinking of being a director of product but still exploring whether it’s a better fit at a big tech or a smaller startup. The smaller the startup, the more responsibility and impact you get.”
Apple PM Intern
“I’ve only been a PM for 3 months, but so far so good! My ultimate goal is to become a Chief of Product or head of products. But first, I just want to know how to be a good PM.”
Google PM Intern #1
“Two directions for me that are not necessarily mutually exclusive. One, I want to become a VP or head of product for a pre-IPO startup. Two, I’m also thinking of starting my own company. If I were to stay in PM, I’d imagine I would still start something along the way.”
Google PM Intern #2
Given you have all successfully recruited for a summer internship, what is your advice on recruiting?
The single most important thing: mock cases
“For me, it was less about reading books and more about getting as much mock case practice as possible. I reached out to first-years, second-years, and even random people on the internet. It’s not uncommon to do 30–50 mock interviews. Nothing prepares you better than getting as close as you can in an interview environment. The mock cases help you figure out gaps in your study so you can use materials to fill those gaps.”
Google PM Intern #1 and #2
… though sometimes you can just ace an interview (go Wharton!)
“I just did one case and got the job. So even if you are going into it last minute, just bring your confidence to the table.”
Apple PM Intern
An airtight resume
“To even get considered for an initial phone screen or interview, you need an airtight resume. So take a look at the published resume books of second-year students who received a PM internship for the summer and further filter for people who have a similar background as you. Model the language and the way they construct each bullet of the resume — consider how the manner in which they represent their experience.”
Google PM Intern #3
Referrals or no?
“For internships, it’s really marginal in terms of impact for big tech recruiting. But having one is at least equal if not better than not having one. Instead of asking for referrals from people who are working at the companies, treat your conversations as really a way for you to learn more about PM, the company, and the tech industry. You will develop genuine rapport and that will come through during your interviews.”
Consensus from the panel
Casting a wide net vs. laser focus? It depends…
“I only applied to 4–5 companies. I only wanted to apply for companies I could see myself working during the “big tech” recruiting cycle. If it didn’t work out, my plan was to apply for start-ups during the later enterprise recruiting. A startup would likely have given me greater ownership or scope to develop PM chops over the summer.”
Google PM Intern #3
“I cast a wide net for companies. It can be a really black box process and I knew I wanted to pivot into PM after business school, so I optimized for just getting a PM role.”
Apple PM Intern
“I also applied to a lot of companies. But knew when to say no. A couple of times, I got a take home that would take 3 hours or a weekend to complete. That is really a good indication if you really want that job or not. For me, I said ‘no’ to those.”
Google PM Intern #2
What are your parting thoughts for students interested in product management?
Take time to meet people
“I took time to reach out to people completely outside my team or product area and just took the opportunity to learn more. Especially as an intern, people are more than willing to talk to you about their experience. You are learning on the job, but your knowledge of PM will be siloed within your team. Talk to people outside your team, outside your role as a PM, and just take time to soak it in. You owe it to yourself to know if PM or this industry is for you.”
Apple PM Intern
Immerse yourself in tech
“You might as well take a deep dive into the industry. Read up the latest trend on TechCrunch, develop a viewpoint, and really listen to those tidbits people provide during a coffee chat or employer information session. You will come across as more engaged during the interviews, but more importantly discover if this job or industry is really for you.”
Google PM Intern #2
Stay the course. It’s all gonna be okay :)
“Recruiting for tech notoriously drags on for quite a while. It kicks off in November, with some of the initial interview invites coming in December and January. However, it varies. I had friends getting offers in April and May while others from other companies as early as October and September (yes before it “officially” kicks off in November — though those were off Wharton CareerPath). It can truly be a black box process, so if you really want to give it a shot for the summer, stay the course. You will land something great.”
Google PM Intern #3
Additional study materials recommended by our panelists (not sponsored — we swear!)
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