Whats the best way to get into product roles
Always been pretty product focused. I would say the goal in life would be to become pretty high up such as a director of product at a company. What would be the best way to go about this? I don’t think I want to be a SWE forever. Start applying for PM jobs? Or what about TPM, as I know they hire more of those at fb, google, Microsoft etc. Thanks everyone!
Easiest is to apply internally to product roles and market yourself that you have the product leadership and coordination skills required for the role. With that stamp, recruiting for product role outside should be pretty easy. You can always do a short product course (either in class or online) to help convey you're ready and interested in this transition.
First switch from eng to product. Reading decode and conquer and swipe to unlock will help with that. Then just make great products and you'll work up the ranks :)
By studying!
But should I just apply for those roles? Is that really all I have to do?
Disagree. Degrees don't get you into PM, but experience does. Cofound a failing startup, get your hands dirty, and apply for PM roles afterwards. Moving up the ladder from there requires different skills - being an opinion leader and influencer in a large org.