Switching to PM might be a mistake
I have a unique background and at a turning point in my career.
I recently switched job from being a data scientist (DS) at FAANG to Product Manager at Nordstrom, mainly because:
1) I always wanted to be a PM but couldn't switch in the company I was at
2) although I was good at data analysis but I am a superman when it comes to driving cross team projects
3) I have also co-founded a startup in 2015, and absolutely loved the hustle.
I have 6+ YOE in the data science domain. Masters in non-CS , industrial engineering (which is the bummer)
It's been 10 months at Nordstrom and I am starting to feel difference of a retail (though they have e-commerce) company and tech company. PMing here is completely different; it is extremely slow, not analytical, lack of leadership and very political. And most importantly the compensation makes me cry. (130K TC, took a pay cut when I moved).
I am in my 30s and need financial stability ASAP.
So I have three choices now-
1) Start looking again for a PM role in other companies that pay well (but not sure if i can get an offer due to lack of experience)
2) Stay here for experience and then look
3) Go back to data science for a bigger paycheck
Have any of you guys been through the same? I am interested in listening to your journey
Any thoughts or advice is highly appreciated!
🙏🏼
edit: I am a PM for their e-commerce business.
comments
Now you have the knowledge that PMing for retail is horrible... maybe you can make a smoother transition to “e-commerce” since it’s sales related but there are a lot of tech e-commerce sites.
One thing I’ve seen from successful PMs is that they’re committed to the career change. If you’re not happy, then definitely look somewhere else... it may seem tough but I’m sure someone will take a chance on your story.
No matter how organized a place looks, retail will always be a mess.
IMHO going back to tech centric company for PM is the obvious answer
But I am currently working on a side project which I plan to launch in the six months. Most probably it won't work like all startup ideas, I might reach out to you then :)
What u describe
"PMing here is completely different; it is extremely slow, not analytical, lack of leadership and very political. "
Is what I saw every single PM do in all my SWE roles. Hence I have zero respect for PMs.
But u seem to have come from a place where PMs did real work and not just power-grab-politics.
I'd suggest if u want to be a good PM please come work with me and show me what a good PM can be. Or find a place where PMs don't spend their time BSing their days away.