Hi Pranjali,

Understand the PM Role:

• Responsibilities: A PM is responsible for the product lifecycle, from ideation and development to launch and iteration. They work with cross-functional teams including engineering, design, marketing, and sales.
• Skills Required: Key skills include strategic thinking, communication, leadership, market research, and understanding customer needs.

Leverage Your Technical Background:

• Technical Expertise: Your background in computer science and development can be a strong asset, as many PM roles require a good understanding of the technical aspects of product development.
• Problem-Solving: Highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work with development teams effectively.

Gain Relevant Experience:

• Cross-Functional Projects: Volunteer for cross-functional projects in your current role to gain experience in working with different teams.
• Shadow a PM: If possible, shadow a PM at Barclays to understand their daily responsibilities and challenges.
• Internships or Part-Time Roles: Consider internships or part-time roles related to product management to gain practical experience.

Acquire Necessary Skills:

• Market Research: Learn how to conduct market research and analyze customer feedback.
• Strategic Thinking: Develop strategic thinking and planning skills.
• Leadership and Communication: Improve your leadership and communication skills to effectively manage and lead teams.

Obtain Relevant Certifications:

• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO): This certification provides a strong foundation in agile methodologies and product ownership.
• Product Management Certificate from General Assembly: Offers practical skills and knowledge needed for a PM role.
• Pragmatic Institute Product Management Certification: Focuses on product strategy and market-driven development.
• Product School’s Product Management Certification: Offers comprehensive training on various aspects of product management.

Build a Strong Resume and Portfolio:

• Highlight Relevant Projects: Include any projects where you took on PM responsibilities, such as defining product requirements or coordinating with different teams.
• Showcase Certifications: List relevant certifications prominently on your resume.
• Create a Portfolio: Develop a portfolio that showcases your experience, skills, and projects related to product management.

Network and Seek Mentorship:

• Professional Networks: Join product management communities and attend industry events to network with professionals in the field.
• Mentorship: Seek mentorship from experienced PMs who can provide guidance and advice.

Apply for PM Roles:

• Tailored Applications: Customize your resume and cover letter for each PM role, highlighting your relevant experience and skills.
• Leverage Internal Opportunities: Look for internal PM opportunities at Barclays and express your interest to your current manager.

Online Courses and Certifications:

• Coursera: "Digital Product Management" Specialization by University of Virginia.
• Udacity: "Become a Product Manager" Nanodegree Program.
• LinkedIn Learning: Courses on product management fundamentals and advanced techniques.

I hope this helps, feel free to book a 1:1 session for more details. I was a dev in start of my career and made the change to Product management. Could definitely help you with this

Hi Pranjali,

Congratulations on completing your computer science engineering degree at Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology! It's great that you're exploring your career options and recognizing your interest in product management (PM).

Book a free trial session for more details -Amit Garg | Preplaced

Some basic how you can leverage your background and make a smooth transition:

Highlighting Your CS Skills for PM Roles:

• Problem-solving: Your engineering background has equipped you with strong problem-solving skills, a critical asset for PMs.
• Technical Understanding: Having a solid grasp of software development will allow you to understand the technical aspects of product creation and collaborate effectively with engineers.
• Analytical Thinking: The analytical skills honed during your studies will be valuable for user research, data analysis, and making data-driven product decisions.

Building Your PM Skillset:

• 
  
• Start with the Fundamentals: Familiarize yourself with the product development lifecycle, user research methodologies, and core PM concepts (product roadmaps, user stories, wireframing).
• Online Resources: Take advantage of free and paid online courses
• Books: Read books like "Inspired" by Marty Cagan, "Cracking the PM Interview" by Gayle Laakmann McDowell, and "Hooked" by Nir Eyal, which offer valuable insights into product management practices.

Experience While at Barclays:

• Seek Internal Opportunities: Look for ways to get involved in product-related tasks within Barclays, even if it's outside your core role. Talk to your manager and express your interest in understanding the product lifecycle.
• Focus on User Experience: As a developer, pay close attention to user feedback and identify areas for improvement. This demonstrates your user empathy, a crucial trait for PMs.

Certifications (Optional):

While not mandatory, some product management certifications can demonstrate your commitment to the field.

However, prioritize building relevant skills and experience:

• Product School Certification: Offers a comprehensive program covering various product management aspects.
• Certified Product Manager (CPM) by AIPMM: Industry-recognized credential that validates your knowledge.

Networking and Mentorship:

• Connect with Product Managers: Reach out to PMs on LinkedIn and attend industry events to learn from their experiences.

Book me as a Mentor: Amit Garg | Preplaced

Having a mentor who can guide you on your PM journey can be invaluable.

Remember: The key is to showcase how your skills and experiences translate well to product management. Emphasize your user empathy, problem-solving abilities, and technical understanding. As you gain experience at Barclays, you can build a strong portfolio through case studies or even contribute to open-source projects demonstrating your product sense.

This transition might take time, but with dedication and continuous learning, you can successfully move towards a product management role. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any specific questions about resources or how to tailor your approach at Barclays!

since you are currently employed at a bank,I would suggest acquiring knowledge pre-training to the financial. sector. Under stand where their expertise lies and how they generated revenue from their project.identify the challenges they encountered and observe how they remedy any faults that arise their operations. Also you need to understand the roadmap they are follow to execute their product . Once you have basic understanding then you can go to any product management course. Better to take guidance and do your own research you will get your goal. Best of luck 😊