How teaching helped me in Product Management

From Classroom to Conference Room: How It All Started

I spent four fantastic years teaching biology, chemistry, and coding. Teaching was more than just a job for me—it was a passion. I loved breaking down complex ideas and seeing that "aha" moment in my students' eyes. With a background in science and coding, I had a solid foundation, but I always felt there was more I could do.

My interest in product management sparked when I started seeing how PMs were driving the product lifecycle after a friend introduced me to this product management world. I was hooked on the idea of building something impactful for a broader audience. That’s when I decided to switch gears and dive into product management.

Leveraging Transferable Skills

At first, teaching and product management seemed like two completely different worlds. But as I got deeper into it, I realized many skills from teaching were super valuable in product management.

1. Communication: As a teacher, I got pretty good at explaining complicated stuff in simple ways. This skill is a game-changer in product management, where I need to clearly communicate product visions, strategies, and requirements to different teams.

2. Empathy: Understanding my students' needs helped me develop a strong sense of empathy. In product management, this means really getting user pain points and creating solutions that genuinely help them.

3. Organization and Prioritization: Juggling lesson plans, grading, and student progress taught me to be super organized and prioritize like a pro. These skills are crucial for managing product backlogs, roadmaps, and deadlines.

4. Problem-Solving: Teaching coding involved a lot of troubleshooting and problem-solving. This experience has been invaluable for navigating the challenges that pop up during product development.

The Bumps in the Road

The transition wasn’t all smooth sailing. Moving from an educational environment to a corporate one required a big shift in mindset. Here are a few bumps I hit along the way:

1. Learning the Business/Finance Side: Getting my head around market dynamics, business strategies, and stakeholder management was new territory. I took online courses, watched numerous YouTube videos, and found mentors to help me get up to speed.

2. Technical Depth: While I was comfortable with coding basics, I needed to get deeper into the tech side to effectively communicate with engineering teams. So, I spent time upskilling.

3. Adapting to a Fast Pace: Product management moves a lot faster than teaching. Adapting to quick decision-making and rapid iterations was challenging but also super exciting.

Celebrating the Wins

Despite the challenges, the journey has been incredibly rewarding. Here are some wins that have made it all worthwhile:

1. Launching My First Product: Seeing a product I managed go live was an amazing feeling. It was a testament to the hard work, collaboration, and dedication of the entire team.

2. User-Centric Innovations: My teaching background made me particularly tuned into user needs. I’ve been able to drive user-centric innovations that significantly improved product adoption and satisfaction.

3. Continual Learning: I’ve embraced the learning curve, always seeking new knowledge and skills. This mindset has helped me stay adaptable and proactive in my role.

Final Thoughts

Transitioning from teaching to product management has been a transformative journey. It’s allowed me to leverage my passion for making complex ideas accessible and my knack for problem-solving in a whole new way. If you’re considering a similar shift, know that your unique background and skills can be powerful assets in the world of product management.

Remember, every experience adds value. Embrace the challenges, stay curious, and never stop learning. Your journey, no matter how unconventional, can lead to incredible opportunities and growth.

Thanks for reading!

If you have any questions or if you’re on a similar path, feel free to reach out!