Product 101: Breaking into Product Management
Thinking about a career in product management but not sure where to start? This session is built for you. Product management is one of the most exciting and in-demand roles in tech, but it can feel like a black box from the outside. In this introductory coaching series, I'll give you a clear, honest picture of what PMs actually do, what skills you need to break in, and how to start building them today — whether you're a student, a career switcher, or just exploring your options. We'll cover the fundamentals of the PM role, core frameworks and methodology, work through a basic product build process end-to-end, develop a basic product pitch deck that you'll be comfortable pitching, walk through the core skills hiring managers look for, and map out a realistic path to landing your first product job. What We'll Cover - What product management actually looks like day-to-day, and what no one tells you before you start - The core skills every early PM needs: strategy basics, customer thinking, prioritization, and stakeholder communication - How to start building a product mindset even without a PM title yet - What your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn need to show to get taken seriously - How to break in: whether through APM programs, internal transitions, or entry-level roles - What to expect from the PM interview process and how to start preparing
What's included
- A clear picture of the PM role: what it really involves, across different company types and stages
- A pitch deck narrative / template you can leverage for PM interviews and on-the-job deliverables
- A clickable prototype of a product idea you developed, ready to go into build
- An understanding of the basic AI tools and skills you should have in your back pocket as you move into a PM role
- Interview prep fundamentals: a introduction to the types of questions you'll face, how to start thinking about them, and the key frameworks you should have at the ready
Meet your expert
Tricia H.
Product Mgmt coach with 15yrs+ experience across startups & enterprise
I'm a product leader with 15+ years of experience building and scaling zero-to-one ventures, platforms, and enterprise systems across AI, defense tech, fintech, edtech, agtech, telco, and more. I have a passion for turning ambitious ideas into real, working products that people love. I've led cross-functional teams from discovery through to commercialization and growth, working across complex stakeholder environments to ship impactful, user-centered products with millions of users (and dollars) on the line. I love working both in the details on day-to-day build and at the 10k foot level of product strategy and org-level decision making. I've launched 6 start ups in Australia and the US, and am now back in the Bay Area working for a big tech firm. Teaching and coaching has been a part of my career for the last 8 years, starting out as a mentor and career coach in my companies and as a leader of my teams, and then as a lead produce management instructor for General Assembly. I was also a founding panel member for Flowpath, a company that was supporting product managers in assessing their skill set, finding the gaps, and helping them how to craft better CVs that pitched their work at the right level for their career. I attended Stanford University for both undergrad and graduate school, and was recently back at the Stanford Graduate School of Business to earn an MS in Management (c/o 2025). When not building products people love and coaching PMs, I teach horse riding at Stanford, run, cycle, and hike, and take every opportunity I can to travel the world.
