Next Steps After Being a Product Manager: Exploring Opportunities and Career Paths

Transitioning from the role of a Product Manager (PM) can be an intimidating but exciting time in your career. With a vast range of options available, this article will guide you through several career paths and provide insights into how to navigate the next phase of your professional journey.

Common Career Paths for Former Product Managers

After being a product manager, there are several potential career paths you could consider, fitting your interests and strengths. Here are some options to explore:

1. Senior Product Manager

This is a natural progression that allows you to take on more complex products and lead larger teams. In this role, you'll have a greater focus on strategy and alignment with business goals.

2. Director of Product Management

In this role, you would oversee multiple product managers and be responsible for the overall product strategy and vision for a company or a division. You'll play a key role in shaping the product roadmap and guiding your team towards success.

3. Chief Product Officer (CPO)

This role is highly strategic and involves setting the overall product strategy for the organization and aligning it with business goals. If you enjoy a leadership position with a broad impact on the company, this could be the perfect fit for you.

4. Product Marketing Manager

If you enjoy the marketing aspect of product management, transitioning to product marketing allows you to focus on go-to-market strategies, positioning, and customer engagement. This role often requires a strong understanding of market trends and customer needs.

5. Entrepreneur/Startup Founder

Starting your own company can be a rewarding challenge if you have a passion for a particular idea or market. Entrepreneurs often draw from their product management background to create innovative solutions and drive growth.

6. Consultant/Advisor

Leveraging your expertise to help other companies improve their product management processes can be a fulfilling way to use your skills. As a consultant, you can work with companies of all sizes to enhance their product development and strategic planning.

7. Transition to Related Fields

You might also consider roles in UX/UI design, data analysis, or operations, depending on your interests. These fields often complement the skills you've developed in product management and can offer a rewarding career path.

8. Further Education or Specialization

Pursuing an MBA or specialized certifications in areas like data analytics, UX design, or agile methodologies can enhance your skill set and open new opportunities. Continuous learning will help you stay updated with the latest trends and methodologies in product management.

Popular Career Tracks for Former Product Managers

Based on our interviews with former and current product managers, several tracks have gained popularity:

CTO

Several notable figures have made the transition from product management to CTO roles. For example, Bret Taylor, who was a product manager at Google before taking on the role of CTO at Facebook, and Pete Koomen, who started as a Google PM before co-founding Optimizely. Both have successfully leveraged their product management experience to lead technical and strategic functions.

Venture Capital (VC)

Notable VCs have also made the transition from product management. Satya Patel, who was a product manager at Google before moving on to Twitter as a VP Product, is now the co-founder of Homebrew Venture Capital, working alongside fellow product thought leader Hunter Walk. Adam Smith, another ex-Google PM, also transitioned to entrepreneurship and now leads Bowery Capital.

Vice President or Head of Product/Chief Product Officer (CPO)

Other successful product managers have advanced to more senior positions. April Underwood recently became Head of Platform for Slack, and Tim Schulz moved up to Chief Product Officer at Bigcommerce. These roles require a deep understanding of product strategy, business goals, and market dynamics.

As you decide on your next career step, consider your long-term goals, personal interests, and the skills you want to develop. Evaluate the potential impact of each role on your career and personal growth, and choose the path that aligns best with your aspirations.