Thread by @ja9co

1/ A month ago, I landed a full-time PM offer @Microsoft based on competence, not credentials.

I had a very unusual path to PM, but I’m humbled by how much I’ve learned to get here. A thread that I hope may help other aspiring PMs out 👇🏻

2/ My goal before PM was to become a physician scientist because I thought it was a legitimate career, but it didn't work out. I constantly yearn for three things that the traditional med school route didn't offer: social interaction, dynamic work, and "move fast" culture.

3/ After undergrad, I joined an edtech startup as a tutor, but I kept volunteering to spearhead various initiatives and learned just enough to grow the business and the team.

4/ I took advantage of the autonomous environment I was in, defined the GTM strategy, and spearheaded an online academic coaching business, branded as @JaninetheTutor, that generated 6-digit revenue for @OneClass. I learned product by creating product.

5/ Contrary to popular belief, I think early-career PMs need to be technical — it’ll immediately distinguish you amongst the sea of non-technical folks. If you understand the trifecta well, you become unstoppable.

6/ I came out stronger after facing multiple rejections. Thank you to the recruiters, hiring managers, and PMs who have interviewed me so far — they were an affirmation that someone like myself who came from a non-technical background can also break into PM.

7/ Having no prior product knowledge made it extremely difficult, but I optimized for the future. I learned a ton from religiously following operators and VCs including but not limited to @shreyas @Suhail @garrytan @lennysan @kennethn @kevinyien @ShaanVP @boztank @will_lawrenceTO

8/ Since opportunities were never handed to me, I learned not to be complacent. Grit is distance travelled from where you come from to how far you've gotten while passion is caring about what you do. The synergy between grit and passion powered me through all the ups and downs.

9/ Surround yourself with people smarter than you. You’d be surprised at how people can drastically alter the trajectory of your life. S/o to @johnsonshi86 @HenrikaLim @calvintychan @ara_eind @ProductBuds @mgmazarakis @vpr_ware and so many others 🙏🏻

10/ Full story here: bit.ly/3wqyBLY 🚀

I forgot to mention — @justinkan’s TikTok vids are 🔥 if you want to learn fast!