Can one become a PM director at FAANG without a Masters from a top university?
It seems off LinkedIn like while PM is hard but breakable for people without much prestige in the pedigree, that the majority of Director Level and upwards are almost not only reserved disproportionately for MBAs and business types, but disproportionately Stanford Harvard and Haas background students. I have an MBA decision to make on EWMBA and this is making it really hard. Short term I agree with the TB consensus against MBA, based on finances, but long term, it seems like a requirement for C-suite. PK American born and raised #MBA #Director I personally don't see tech as a meritocracy like so many here do and see business types get way ahead without nearly as much grunt work. I've contracted now for two different FAANG companies to see it.
Former FAANG PM here. 80% of directors I knew had just a bachelors
Our Product Director is not from a Top MBA school, so it’s possible but we need to understand, Top MBA graduates are driven and have gone through years of grind and pedigree of achievements even before their MBAs. So, comparing non-MBAs and MBAs is probably its not an apples to apples comparison.
Or maybe they just had a life of privilege 🤷♂️
MBA’s are actually kind of rare in PM, based on my experience in FAANG. You absolutely don’t need one.
Yeah but I feel OP concern.. not sure if no MBA could hinders our growth in long term future. Lot of people also show off their MBAs and that creates imposter syndrome. I would suggest show off your tech degree because that’s more harder to complete.
@urumqi how about above director...v level and c level?
Definitely can happen. Especially since more PMs seem to be breaking into the industry via job role transfers once they join a company. I rarely see MBA’s. Just my experience- could be different at other companies.
that's epsecially surprising coming from Amazon...their LinkedIn is probably the MOST loaded with MBAs for PM. they also have an easier pipeline to hire from MBAs and not formal one for internal transfers. Usually Amaozn's PM job postings require 5 years of PM experience for outsiders Good comp too for Amazon PMs...around 300k with signing bonus. Just paid for the MBA in a year with it
300k for a PM right out of business school? That doesn’t sound right