PM at a young age - what to do next?

Meta
Alostchick

Go to company page Meta

Alostchick
Apr 17 270 Comments

Got to Senior PM. Not sure what to do next. I genuinely need advice.

I got an undergraduate engineering degree, worked at FAANG (non-tech), and now a senior product manager at a start up making 200k+. All at 27 years old.

I am trying to decide what to do next:

Option 1: Study for GRE/GMAT to try and shoot for Harvard / Stanford / MIT MBA. This can help me further grow my network. However, I dont need the degree since I am already in the discipline I want & it will cost me money.

Option 2: Study for PM interviews at FAANG so I can aim for senior level product roles. This will give me more money and also allow me work on products with greater appeal. I could also use the money to buy a house. #pm #product #productmanager

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TOP 270 Comments
  • Google
    RatIRL

    Go to company page Google

    RatIRL
    This is the wrong forum to flex on for making $200k at 27 lol
    Apr 17 15
    • Amazon / Product
      thegrowls

      Go to company page Amazon Product

      thegrowls
      Listen, I get it. I already acknowledged that amazon is generally toxic. It's team dependent, and if you find a decent one, it's a super good place to learn if you're willing to make some sacrifices. Clown on Amazon all you want, I won't defend it. It's a classic blind pasttime.

      I'm not multiple sigmas smarter than your average person, and I'm lucky to be where I am. If I were smarter, I'd be an engineer. If I were an incredible PM, I wouldn't be at Amazon. I'm not. I'm sure y'all are smarter than me.

      In my case, you can do decently, relatively young even if you're not brilliant provided you're willing to put the work in and make some sacrifices, even if it means working for Amazon.
      Apr 19
    • Vroom
      noCAPn

      Go to company page Vroom

      noCAPn
      I'm 26 making 330k lol (not at Vroom anymore), this is largely "on track" in regards to most people in our discipline who are "hustlers"
      Apr 19
  • Airbnb
    badgers

    Go to company page Airbnb

    badgers
    Start your own business.
    Apr 17 3
    • Meta
      Alostchick

      Go to company page Meta

      Alostchick
      OP
      Ahhh if the idea and passion for a problem comes my way - I will
      Apr 17
    • Amazon
      vhhU25

      Go to company page Amazon

      vhhU25
      Forget all advice here. Make money. Keep going after the big bucks and as you do you will realize you’re given larger and complex responsibilities. That will earn you your MBA + business experience while bringing you closer to how decisions are made at the top. And you’ll be paid to do this. Perhaps join a VC firm, or a product-led tech firm.

      Being a PM is just the start. Learn how business is actually done and no MBA will teach you how.
      Apr 19
  • Amazon
    nohalal

    Go to company page Amazon

    nohalal
    At 26 i already became a sr pm and lived in three different countries working at amazon. US is my 4th.
    Apr 17 3
  • Adobe
    BHXM22

    Go to company page Adobe

    BHXM22
    I’d go for the MBA, but only at a top 5 school.
    Apr 17 14
    • @ByteDance - could you elaborate on getting into the US market part? I have a young relative who is doing MBA from top Indian Institute and will graduate soon. He wants to come to US. Ideas on how to do it? Thanks
      Apr 19
    • ByteDance / Product
      Cafilornia

      Go to company page ByteDance Product

      Cafilornia
      You get the US under a student visa (F1), you graduate and enter Optional Practical Training, which allows you to work for 1y without paying social security taxes, you get H1B and/or Green Card sponsorship from your employer, you get your Green Card and become able to work at any company in the US.
      Apr 19
  • Braze
    yungGREG2

    Go to company page Braze

    yungGREG2
    Lol.. this is so cringe. Go live your life chief. There is more to life than TC and RSUs. You are in a situation people dream about. Earning an insane amount of money at a young age and only just getting started. Congrats on making senior now take a year to go enjoy yourself and build yourself outside of work.
    Apr 18 6