Ways to move into product management in media and entertainment tech industry
Hello everyone, I'm a tech developer working in big 4 consulting based out of India. For the past 6 years since graduating, I've worked in a product startup for 6 months and been in consulting for the rest, my main skills being client management, UI/UX design, full stack coding, agile methodologies and project management. In parallel, I've also had a professional musician side gig, my band doing well in the independent music scene, having done over 100 shows in venues across the country and released songs on media streaming platforms to rake up respectable number of views. I've got experience in music production, distribution platform management, artist and social media management through managing my band outreach. As covid struck, the independent music scene had a sudden death which made many indie musicians to do the digital pivot. Adapting through this, I realised I can merge my tech and music and passion for music into my career, primarily in product for media companies. Through my research, I've got to know that without prior product management experience, it might be difficult to break into a specific niche sector. I have applied to universities for an MBA, so as to provide opportunities for this switch, but that's genuinely a crapshoot considering the bloodbath it is for an overrepresented pool of applicant. Would love to know your opinions on the ways I can realise this career path I'm hoping of. Thanks a lot! :) YOE: 6 CTC: 20L INR #entertainment #media #consulting #tech #spotify #netflix #youtube #productmanagement #amazonmusic
One idea, although it would take time and (as always) no guarantees - Check out roles at Amazon as a program manager, technical program manager, or software engineer on the Amazon Music team to use your current role/skills to get into the industry. From there, you can explore different career paths in the company (tech or product) and/or apply to MBA and/or apply for roles at other companies. A great thing about Amazon is people do change functional areas with support from their manager and it happens regularly, so it isn’t something you have to invent the wheel on to achieve. When you interview tho, be focused on the immediate role and area. Seek the functional change to product or whatever interests you later, after you’re established and performing well in the role for at least a year. By then, you’ll have the reputation and network to explore a shift. Only some companies hire and value MBAs in product roles though, so it may be good to explore whether that will help you achieve your goals or not.
I cannot understate the value of references within your network especially when moving to a different sector. Also pitch how your background in tech can help the organization. Not just from a development standpoint but also from a quality assurance standpoint- are they getting the right products from the tech company they are outsourcing the job to. Hope that helps