Five Game-changing lessons I learned as a Product Manager intern at Okta

Curious about what it's like to be a Product Manager intern at a leading tech company? My time at Okta was packed with valuable insights and practical experiences. Here are the five key lessons I learned that can elevate your product management career.

But first, a little about me: Hey, there. I'm Nouf. I like to think of myself as a wearer of multiple hats: technologist, researcher, educator, and product builder. With a strong foundation in computer science and a knack for product design from the Georgia Institute of Technology, I've had the privilege of working at tech giants like Microsoft, diving into the startup ecosystem through venture capital, and building innovative products.

I've spent a good chunk of time in college, balancing research, teaching, and hands-on projects. My venture capital experience further fueled my passion for advising founders on user research, product development, go-to-market strategies, fundraising, and hiring. Having worked across various roles, I'm driven to leverage my insights to create impactful products. And a little fun fact about me: I have a patent for an electric car that picks up plastic in deserts.

At Okta, I joined the Customer Identity Cloud team as part of the Identity and Access Management (IAM) Product team, where I got hands-on experience enhancing the user search API and making pagination a breeze. Here's what I learned during my time there.

1. Get technical early: Know the product inside and out

To crush it as a PM, you need to get your hands dirty from the get-go.

Dive into the product like a developer - explore every feature, test its limits, and understand its quirks. A deep dive will arm you with the insights needed to make smart decisions and write great requirements later on.

This hands-on approach is a total game-changer, especially when you're working on a highly technical product.

2. Master stakeholder management: Communicate like a pro

Success in PM roles hinges on understanding and managing your stakeholders.

Get to know the triad - engineers, designers, and business stakeholders. Each group brings a unique perspective.

Build strong relationships, listen intently, and ensure everyone's voice is heard. Clear, effective communication keeps everyone aligned and projects running smoothly.

3. Listen up: Uncover real customer pain points

Customers often describe surface-level issues, not the real root problems.

Here's the secret: Listen, listen, listen. Don't rush to defend the product.

Instead, ask probing questions to dig deeper and focus on understanding the problem, not jumping to solutions. By empathizing with their frustrations, you'll uncover the true issues that need fixing.

Solving the right problems is how you deliver real value.

4. Embrace ambiguity: Prioritize effectively

The PM role is all about navigating uncertainty.

Unlike coding, where success is clear-cut, PMs need to connect the dots and figure out the real problems.

Embrace the chaos and find joy in piecing together the puzzle. Learn to prioritize ruthlessly based on impact and feasibility. This way, you'll focus on what truly matters and drive maximum value.

5. Build relationships fast: Foster a collaborative team

Get to know your team within the first two weeks. Early connections make collaboration and communication a breeze.

Casual chats over coffee or quick Slack check-ins help build rapport and trust. Create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued.

When you establish these relationships, sending Slack DMs becomes easier and more effective later on.

Final thoughts

My time at Okta was a whirlwind of learning and growth. From getting my hands dirty with the technical stuff to mastering stakeholder communication, listening to customer pain points, embracing the unknown, and building solid team relationships, every lesson was invaluable.

If you're starting out in product management, these insights should set you up for success!

Find these tips helpful? Share them and help others level up their PM game.

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