BUS 85 — Breaking into Product Management
Quarter: Summer
Instructor(s): Lindsay Oishi
Date(s): Jul 21—Aug 25
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Mondays
Grade Restriction: NGR only; no credit/letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 6:00—7:30 pm (PT)
Tuition: $470
Refund Deadline: Jul 23
Unit(s): 0
Enrollment Limit: 65
Status: Open
Quarter: Summer
Day: Mondays
Duration: 6 weeks
Time: 6:00—7:30 pm (PT)
Date(s): Jul 21—Aug 25
Unit(s): 0
Tuition: $470
Refund Deadline: Jul 23
Instructor(s): Lindsay Oishi
Grade Restriction: NGR only; no credit/letter grade
Enrollment Limit: 65
Recording Available: Yes
Status: Open
Curious about product management but unsure how to break in without a related degree or experience? This beginner-friendly course will help you explore software product management, determine if it’s right for you, and craft a personalized career plan.
We’ll answer all your questions about what it’s really like to be a product manager (PM)—especially in an industry being transformed by AI. Through an interactive case study, you’ll step into the role of a PM, practicing key responsibilities such as defining business goals, understanding customer needs, and creating a roadmap.
Next, we’ll explore real-life examples of professionals who have successfully transitioned into product management from diverse backgrounds. You’ll learn how to translate your skills and experiences into relevant PM qualifications and create a plan to address any gaps. Finally, we will share strategies and resources to continue your development plan or begin your job search. By the end of the course, you’ll have a personalized, actionable plan for launching your product management or related career.
We’ll answer all your questions about what it’s really like to be a product manager (PM)—especially in an industry being transformed by AI. Through an interactive case study, you’ll step into the role of a PM, practicing key responsibilities such as defining business goals, understanding customer needs, and creating a roadmap.
Next, we’ll explore real-life examples of professionals who have successfully transitioned into product management from diverse backgrounds. You’ll learn how to translate your skills and experiences into relevant PM qualifications and create a plan to address any gaps. Finally, we will share strategies and resources to continue your development plan or begin your job search. By the end of the course, you’ll have a personalized, actionable plan for launching your product management or related career.
This course will provide a high-level overview of resume building and interview practice but will not offer in-depth guidance on applying for or interviewing for product management roles.
LINDSAY OISHI
Senior Product Manager, Indeed
Lindsay Oishi manages a team of product managers at Indeed and has worked at Adobe, Chegg, and Intuit. Her product roles have spanned online learning apps, HR processes and technologies, and corporate social responsibility. She received a BA from Georgetown, an MA from Oxford, and a PhD in educational psychology from Stanford, where she focused her dissertation on applying design thinking to career development in emerging adulthood. She mentors and coaches students by giving guest workshops for the Stanford School of Medicine and the Stanford Career Center. Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.