I just graduated from business school and started working in a large and traditional manufacturing firm. They offered me a role that was very good (Strategy/CorpDev.) from career development perspective. However, as I looking forward to next 5 years, I aim to move into a faster paced environment. My aim is to get into IoT hardware based companies such as Samsara. But I am looking out for more IoT Tech companies and this is where I need help. Since I am not in consulting a couple of options are closed or extremely competitive for me 1. Corp Dev in Tech 2. Even BizOps. 3. Strategy What's open? Operations Strategy Porgram Management My core experience is in Engg, sales, GM and data analytics. I have worked in analytics (ML/SQL), made an Android App (will launch it to Play Store) and worked in robotics (in pre-MBA work)
1. You can be non-tech PM (no software back ground) in most tech companies. They maintain two different titles for PMs for a reason. 2. Being the strategy guy trying to break into tech, My research & “feeling” so is that strategy roles are not as central /powerful in tech as they are in many other mature industries. If strategy alone is your passion (rather than do strategy, then either make product or do bd etc), then perhaps focus on other industries or join mbb serving niche areas in tech.
I think this is exactly what I am running into. Given these constraints, I am increasingly thinking about finding operative roles in the 3-5 year term and then potentially start a HW startup of my own. That's been my goal all along VISA constraints/MBA loans are pretty much the only reason preventing me from doing so in the US. Anywho, thanks a ton for a candid take in this matter.
Consider hardware product manager positions at Internet companies, like Amazon lab 126, Google Nest, Microsoft Azure Sphere
Thanks for the suggestion! This is interesting. Could you expand on this role? I am generally unaware of the expectations from hardware PM. I have consciously shied away from PM role because of - 1. Lack of experience with developers. And I have heard that MBA (non-engg dev) PMs are generally not suited for the role either. 2. This is a question - how strategic are these roles? Do you get silo-ed into a product feature? 3. Am I competing with software PMs?