I've been hustling at product roles for as long as I can remember and I'm absolutely exhausted. I haven't seen much career growth and feel I'm stuck in the mediocre pump-and-dump atmosphere that is middle management in this track. Additionally, I made the huge mistake to move to Verizon, where PM is something completely different as far as I can tell. There are so many incompetent managers here and I'm not heard when I suggest another way. I'm terrified of losing my job over the next recession and having to hustle and recover/rebrand/whatever to survive yet again. After the dot-com bust, then the last recession, I am a traumatized mess. I can't afford to stop working and take a break right now, and just terrified. In my current role I'm literally sitting here on my hands begging my manager to tell me what I can do to show value. I'm terrified here. I think I want out of PM but don't even know what I'd do. I started my career designing and building websites in the late 90s, built and launched numerous mobile apps, and won some awards earlier in my career, but since the recession, my career has been nothing but a wet fart. Does anyone have advice on different tracks I could move to that wouldn't be so stressful constantly for NO GOOD REASON? My stress almost constantly comes from managers who can't lead and refuse to listen to me when I suggest perhaps better ways to do the work. I was interviewing with google a bit ago and it was going well till the hiring freeze. I think I just want to do something else, I don't seem to belong in product management. I've literally performed every job activity related to building digital products. Design, animation, analytics, storytelling, etc.., etc..., but I don't have the charisma or an Ivy League degree to be considered for tech jobs in the bay area (where I live and kind of want out now). Any advice would be appreciated. TC: 220k #pm #product #careerpath
Not sure there is such a thing as no stress job. Not been in the same position as you but maybe consider first how to get to a better zen place / mindset in your current role and then figuring out a path away.
I’m in the same boat. PM $ is great but I don’t enjoy the role all that much. I recently joined a new company and I love the culture and team. But I’m now convinced I just dislike being a PM.
I highly recommend spending your free time on something that helps you cope with stress. Therapy, yoga, meditation, etc. I’ve been in a similar situation and realized it wasn’t work but rather my own mindset trapping me in a chaotic place. Wishing you the best of luck!
That's a good idea, I keep forgetting to do these things for myself. Thank you for the reminder friend.
Tryexponent is a good resource for breaking into good PM roles or to understand your value as a PM . There are a few good videos on youtube , watch at your leisure. You will have an idea on what questions to ask during interviews etc. I have come to believe interviewing is a two way street ! They need you as much as you need them. I was in your boat an year ago. A little bit of calmness did help me but productive management of time ( without being overwhelmed) did come a long way !!
wet fart lol
Have you considered UX/product design? There's freedom in not "owning"the product and letting execs duck it up rather than feeling pressure as a PO/PM.
I am so sorry you feel this way. I am in the same boat as you, and fairly new in the position, it’s only been 2 years. And, I hate it. My manger just doesn’t get happy at all. But, I see it’s because of his own insecurities. He has no experience but got to a senior position by kissing up. He doesn’t like when I suggest great solutions, he even tries to put me down in meetings by completely changing my own sentences to something really silly. I am planning to give it another shot at a better company and not give up yet. It’s just a fucked up time to make a switch. I think you should try to find what you like doing other than work and do more of that. Additionally, consider project manger roles or independent consultant/contractor roles where you can just get out whenever you want if it doesn’t work for you. I really hope it gets better for you.
I used to feel that way too until I really analyzed where those fears and anxiety were coming from and I started addressing them. The place you work at definitely matters and I'm not gonna pretend Verizon is the ideal company, so what I would suggest is slow down, try to get allies where you are instead of chafing against what you perceive as bad management (you're probably right but it doesn't help) and establish yourself as a key part of the team. While you do that, learn that nothing is THAT important, manage your workload and start working strategically on figuring out and preparing for your next step. What do you want to achieve? Make a plan and then do it.
So interesting. Would love to hear more about how to address the fears and anxiety. I feel this... just feel like I'm not good enough to be a PM but honestly think some of it is just in my head. Not in PM now but have been in the past.
Same boat except I make half your TC 😞 I would love to transition out of PM and go into DS
Hold up! Why would you waste your valuable time in a role where you don’t see any career growth? Wouldn’t it make sense to make the switch to a role that you love. In that role you will give your 100% and that will recession proof you.
Bruh u make x3 my salary
But you get a butter stipend brotha