Product Managers Transition Series

Welcome to this edition of PM Musings with Omolara, where I feature Product Managers that have transitioned successfully to Product Management.

As a product coach and mentor, I have mentored 100+ aspiring and transitioning product managers. Having being there myself, I understand the struggles that come with it and that every transition journey is unique.

The feedback from the transition series has shown how seeing others with similar journey into product management has been motivating and inspiring.

In this edition, I will be sharing the experience of Segun Sobodu , a Product Quality Assurance Manager with Opera Software. He transitioned from being a Social Media Manager into product management successfully and is thriving as a Product Manager.

Introduction

Segun is a Product Quality Assurance Manager for Opera Software and a Product Consultant for various products like ReachOut, Yieldvest, and currently LocalBuka. He has two degrees from Covenant University and the School of Media and communication, Pan-Atlantic University in Mass Communication and Marketing Communication respectively.

What’s one interesting fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?

I am a shy person and I don’t like talking but I have to.

What was your career background before transitioning into product management?

My career background started as a Social Media manager. I have been a Social Media manager for the longest, which was not that rewarding. I did a bit of Product Marketing after that even though it was not called that at the time.

Transition Journey

What inspired you to transition into product management?

I think a lack of satisfaction and fulfillment was one of the things that made me transition. I wanted more.

Was there a pivotal moment that motivated the shift?

The pivotal moment was when I saw how people in my profession were earning and i was earning below that. I got tired of the mediocre way of my professional life. I needed a fresh new start and took it without looking back.

How did you prepare for your transition?

I researched a lot about product management and what it entails. I took courses from Product School for me to understand it better. I also watched YouTube videos as well. But i decided to actually take a course with a Product School here in Nigeria. I found a lot of them, such as Product Dive but one stood out for me because they offered something extra; Learning by doing (Open-source internship). The name of the school is Enoverlab.

What was the biggest challenge you faced during your transition, and how did you overcome it?

At first not knowing what to do or how to navigate my way. There are so many product resources online, getting an actual institute that would hold your hands along the way is golden and that’s what Enoverlab did for me. I am grateful for that.

Was there a specific skill or strength from your previous role that made your transition smoother?

I think Communication and Empathy was my biggest strength from my previous role.

Life as a Product Manager

What does a typical day in your life as a PM look like? Can you share a favorite part of your job?

A typical day in my life is Communication. From checking messages on Slack, responding to feedback from users on Google Playstore regarding our product, and meeting with the engineering, marketing and design team. 

What’s the most significant impact you’ve made in your current or previous PM role? A specific product launch, process improvement, or user problem solved?

I think a specific one will be when I was a Product Consultant for a product called ReachOut. This was when the product had a network glitch that only affected users in some geo-location in the North, South, and Eastern parts of the country at the time. This glitch affected the UA and engagement of the product. We lost a lot of users and it was a back-and-forth moment between I and the engineering team including the network providers. We eventually found out the glitch was from the network providers and it was fixed. But one unforgettable moment was growing the app downloads from 15,000 to 430,000.

Advice for Aspiring PMs

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to transition into product management?

One advice is; Don’t rush yourself. Take it one step at a time.

What misconceptions do people often have about transitioning into PM? How would you debunk them?

One misconception I think, would be product management is a get-rich-quick profession and easy to do.  On both occasions; it is not as easy as any other profession. It takes a lot of work to land a product management role that pays you what you are worth. So be prepared for it.

Personal Reflections

What do you wish you had known at the start of your journey?

I wish I had started this profession before now.

How has your journey inspired others in your community or network?

I think it has been pretty inspiring really. I have shared my story countless times and i have had positive feedback from people who look up to me. I get messages about my post or when i speak, it has been outstanding.

Fun Segment

Your favorite product management tool?

Slack and Trello

A product you admire and why?

It should be Google. They are literally integrated into every work of life. They are like the Coke of the internet.

One book or resource every PM should read?

I think it should be Inspired.

Coffee, tea, or neither while working?

It’s Pepsi for me. I don’t take coffee most times.

What’s next for you in your PM career?

Any exciting projects, personal growth goals, or ambitions for the future?

This year i plan on starting a podcast, attending more Tech events and just generally being out there more this year.

Where can readers connect with you or follow your journey?

It would be Linkedin. I am always there. You can find and connect with me here.