Junior Product Manager at The Times
What were some of your best experiences from your time at UOL Management school?
I may be biased but there isn't a better city than Liverpool to experience your university years. I often miss the friendliness, buzz and vibrance (not forgetting the price) of Liverpool whilst starting out my career in London. It is a brilliant city which will always be a special place.
How did your studies prepare you for life after graduation?
The Management School in particular was a great spot to collaborate and innovate with peers. My year in industry, its associated modules and the mentors that helped me succeed in my placement year, truly prepared me for the real world.
Completing a year in industry was by far the best decision I made during my time in university. The real world is a competitive place, and how you earn your place is through experience. I thoroughly enjoyed my placement year as it gave me the opportunity to find out what I like and dislike, saving me tons of time and effort in the long term.
You now work as a Junior Product Manager at The Times, can you describe your typical day or week?
I hate to be cliché but no week or day is the same at The Times. The Media sphere is a truly fast-paced environment. News changes all the time and we have to adapt accordingly. But it's an honour to work for such a prestigious brand, which is touched by 10 million+ users each month.
As a Product Manager I am constantly thinking of new ways to solve user's problems through feature implementation. I am a Retention PM, looking at ways to optimise the reader's experience once they have purchased a subscription. It's the perfect job in the sense that I am involved in all areas from user design to technical development. The job and the company have provided me with a great environment to learn, having the responsibility to prioritise product roadmaps based on business needs which is a complicated thing to do, and I'm very much still learning in this area.
What accomplishments in your role are you most proud of so far and why?
Before I joined the Times I was on Samsung's graduate programme. I've always had an interest and passion for Women in Technology, and Samsung gave me the space to advocate on this topic. During my time there I organised a sold-out Women@Samsung event, focussing on career development and opportunities available for women within the business. I also arranged for a facilitator from Google to deliver their award winning #Iamremarkable workshop (check it out if you haven't heard of it). I managed to organise and facilitate the event after being in the company less than a year which just goes to show what you can do when you're passionate about something.
What are your future career goals?
Product Management is a great career path for those curiously minded, as it opens up so many doors to explore. There are so many areas of business I find fascinating, so as long as I am continually learning in my career, then I will be happy.
Based on your experiences, what advice would you give to students beginning their university journey, aspiring to follow a similar career path?
Again, it's a cliche answer, but take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. By embracing a 'can-do' attitude it will truly change your perspective on work.