Why I make my PM team deliver food orders - no exceptions

Hey everyone, I've been lurking here for a while, but I felt compelled to share my story today. It’s AM here in Seattle and read @PunyBlame’s post on the impostor syndrome - hit a nerve! I'm a 29-year-old woman, currently working as a Product Manager at Amazon in Seattle. No MBA, no tech background - just a Philosophy degree from Mumbai University and a whole lot of grit. Five years ago, if you'd told me I'd be where I am now, I would've laughed in your face. Back then, I was just another lost graduate, wondering what the hell I was going to do with a philosophy degree in a world obsessed with engineering and MBAs. But here's the thing I learned: success isn't always about being the smartest or having the "right" degree. Sometimes, it's just about showing up, day after day, even when you feel like an imposter. My journey started with a crappy content writing job that barely paid the bills. But I showed up every day, wrote those mind-numbing product descriptions, and used my free time to learn everything I could about tech and product management. I applied to hundreds of jobs, faced countless rejections. But I kept showing up. I networked like crazy, attended every tech meetup I could find in Mumbai, even when I felt like I didn't belong. I volunteered for projects at work that were way above my pay grade, just to get experience. Then came the breakthrough - a junior product role at a small startup. The pay was mediocre, the hours were insane, but I showed up every day with enthusiasm. I soaked up knowledge like a sponge, asked questions, made mistakes, and learned from them. Two years and three job changes later, I landed a role at Amazon India. It was a huge leap, and I felt completely out of my depth. Imposter syndrome hit me hard. But you know what? I showed up anyway. I put in the hours, raised my hand for challenging projects, and gradually, things started to click. When an opportunity came up in Seattle, I threw my hat in the ring, even though I was sure they'd laugh at my application. But they didn't. They saw my track record of showing up and getting shit done. Now, I'm not going to pretend it's all been smooth sailing. Moving to Seattle was terrifying. There are still days when I feel like I'm faking it. But I've learned that everyone feels that way sometimes. The key is to show up anyway. To anyone out there feeling lost or underqualified, here's what I want you to know: 1. Your degree doesn't define you. Skills can be learned if you're willing to put in the work. 2. Apply for jobs even if you don't tick all the boxes. Let them reject you; don't reject yourself. 3. Network genuinely. Help others without expecting anything in return. It pays off in unexpected ways. 4. Take on challenges that scare you. Growth happens outside your comfort zone. 5. Most importantly, just show up. Every. Single. Day. You'll face rejection. You'll doubt yourself. You'll want to quit. But if you keep showing up, putting in the work, and pushing through the tough times, you'd be amazed at where you can end up. So, to all the Philosophy grads (or any grads) out there wondering about their future - the world is full of opportunities if you're willing to work for them. Your destiny isn't decided by your degree, it's shaped by your determination :)

Inspired from @salt post in Product Managers channel.

Experienced Product, Tech, Sales, founder folks of GV, what would be your one piece of advice for a new APM/PM (1-2 yoe) in the industry, that would help them in the long run. Feel free to also let us know any mistakes you made as a Product guy, early in your career.

I really wanted to build great products and have a say in how they would be built. To thrive in ambiguity and find relationships between causality and features is an addictive feeling. What about you?

Great step to promote talent with ideas and strengthening the core of product

Hey folks, Looking to up my game in product management! 📊 Any favorite books, courses, or podcasts you recommend? Share your go-to resources! 📚 If you have any go-to resources such as books, online courses, podcasts, or blogs that have helped you on your product management journey, please share them with me! 📚 I'm particularly interested in resources that offer practical insights, real-world examples, and strategies for effective product development and management. Your recommendations will be invaluable as I continue to grow in my role. Thank you in advance for your suggestions! 🌟 #ProductManagement #LearningResources #ProductDevelopment #TechSkills

I am PM with around 5 yrs of experience. I’m struggling to take my skill to next level. always receive feedback from management that output isn’t good, mostly that UX isn’t good. what can I do to improve my work? 1. Read books ? 2. Study successful products from outside ? 3. Listen to podcasts 4. Work with great product people? but hardly these exist 5. leave this field altogether? 6. Just have patience and keep learning everyday? Can experienced people share what has worked out well for them? or point me to some directions?

1. They are the most overpaid people in India. 2. They have no work life balance and they don't even know what it means. 3. They think they are the best at everything, but they can't do anything right. 4. They are always complaining about their job and how much they hate it. 5. They are never satisfied with their salary or benefits package. 6. They are always looking for new jobs because they think they deserve better than what they currently have. Would you like to add anything else here?

I have been sooo interested in Product Management, as an outsider with no technical knowledge but all the passion for it. I intended to become a Product Manager taking the hard route (non technical background), but at this point I am still looking to learn more about it. Please share your thoughts, experience and tips?

Hey all , I actually have many questions but as of now I am only going with the three , I am pretty sure those who are product managers especially in tech are understanding the roles in their own defined way 1. Which part of your role is most exhausting , is it working with cross functional teams or taking approval from leadership for executing your features rather than pre defined roadmap ? 2. What does that mean if someone says product management is rewarding career ? (Monetary or professional growth ;) 3. How does this role is going to evolve in next 2-4 years Let's see what my fellow VINERS think about this role...