Super neat response that echoes many other replies to my thread on product marketing. I've been meaning to follow up; this seems like a good time.
First of all, lots of (marketing) folks took umbrage at me saying I'd consider an engineer who was interested in a career change.
First of all, lots of (marketing) folks took umbrage at me saying I'd consider an engineer who was interested in a career change.
I get why you're riled, there's a long history of engineers thinking engineers can do anyone else's job better than they can.
But I wasn't doing that. I was just saying, I can't *find* a product marketing person to do the job, so I'm open to growing one.
But I wasn't doing that. I was just saying, I can't *find* a product marketing person to do the job, so I'm open to growing one.
Good product marketing people (for technical products) have both the technical skill set *and* the marketing skill set. If you've got one, you can learn the other.
I've been trying in one direction, I'm open to trying the other direction. That's all.
I've been trying in one direction, I'm open to trying the other direction. That's all.
Now for @colourmeamused_ question: how to move in to product marketing from tech? And is that a good move for a senior engineer who wants to have more business impact?
In short: startups, and yes absolutely.
In short: startups, and yes absolutely.
I've given this advice before and I'll give it again: until you're a senior engineer, at least 5-7 years into your career, *stay technical* unless you are absolutely damn sure you want a one way ticket out of engineering forever.
google.com/amp/s/charity.…
google.com/amp/s/charity.…
There are a million paved roads out if engineering, and only a few narrow paths back in, esp if you're not a white or Asian dude.
And strong technical chops are the currency of power in this industry, second only to literal bags of money. Amass as much of it as you can.
And strong technical chops are the currency of power in this industry, second only to literal bags of money. Amass as much of it as you can.
Once you are a senior engineer, are there opportunities? Dear God yes there are opportunities. Every other discipline in the world seems to be hungry for people with an intersection of skills between software && their discipline. Unfairly so, tbqh.
Reminds me of the Arthur C Clarke quote about magic being sufficiently advanced science. Well, tech is magic to most people. They act like technical people can learn anything, and -- sadly -- like other people can't learn tech skills.
As an engineer, the world is your oyster.
As an engineer, the world is your oyster.
(I don't mean to demean anyone here; the combination of tech skills + another discipline is super fucking powerful and there should be more who pursue it! Opportunity is just unfairly slanted in our direction.)
So... How do you, an engineer, get experience in product marketing?
Startups.
Join one. Start one. Volunteer your service. You have one half of the skill set you need to be good at it, now you need practice with the other half.
Startups.
Join one. Start one. Volunteer your service. You have one half of the skill set you need to be good at it, now you need practice with the other half.
Startups are chronically hungry for help, accustomed to fluid roles and generalists, and have extremely low standards if you're cheap enough. ;)
Pick something you care about, and start marketing it. That would be my advice.
Good luck. (Anyone have any better advice?)
Pick something you care about, and start marketing it. That would be my advice.
Good luck. (Anyone have any better advice?)
