Page Text: Phoenix: $94,450 per year
How can you get into product management?
There is no set path to become a PM; people take a variety of routes to get there. Companies seek applicants with different backgrounds depending on the scope of their product, the size of their team, and other factors. Hiring managers may look for strong business skills, familiarity with their sector, technical expertise, or a combination of these qualifications. Big tech companies often seek applicants with backgrounds in engineering, design, and analytics when hiring PMs. A bachelor's degree in business, communications, or management may also be useful for obtaining a position.
While you can break into the field without pursuing specialized training, Product Management bootcamps are a great way to learn specific, targeted skills necessary for the role. Bootcamps can help those looking to pivot into tech get familiar with the essential functions of a product manager and their role within the industry.
Another way to bolster your resume is to learn relevant technical skills. There are free or low-cost courses online that can help you get familiar with data analytics , user experience, product design, and other related topics. This is a good choice for those who are interested in the field but aren't ready to commit to a bootcamp or certificate program.
Are product management bootcamps worth it?
For those seriously interested in a position as a product manager, yes. Product management bootcamps are an excellent way for people who want to break into the tech industry and learn specialized skills for the position. They are also often more affordable and take less time than earning a degree. Programs are taught by instructors with experience in the field, giving graduates a competitive edge with up-to-date skills. PM bootcamps usually cost between $900 and $4,500 and last six weeks to six months, depending on the program. While there are some part-time programs, most will likely require a significant time commitment to complete. Bootcamps also often provide job support to help graduates advance their careers, but landing a position in the industry will require personal dedication as well. Prospective students should consider their goals and prior commitments when deciding if a bootcamp is right for them.
What will you learn in a product management bootcamp?
Program topics may vary, but most focus on understanding the lifecycle of a product and learning how to identify problems and implement solutions. Students will learn how to conduct user research, analyze data, and strategically problem-solve within a product. Some courses may also include UX/UI design, digital marketing , making decisions using SQL, data visualization using analytics tools such as Tableau, and how to maximize efficiency by using Agile product management methods. Programs often allow students to work on real-world projects, partner one-on-one with mentors, and create a professional portfolio to demonstrate their skills. For more information on product management bootcamps, including student reviews, see our comprehensive list of product management bootcamps .
SwitchUp Rankings Methodology
SwitchUp's rankings are based on over 20,000 reviews from verified students and alumni, across over 500 bootcamps in operation. Because student and alumni feedback and ratings are indicative of bootcamp quality, rankings are ordered by review score. If bootcamps have the same review score, bootcamps with more reviews are ranked higher to break the tie. The order of the ranking is based on data at the time of publishing, but the ratings and review counts will change as more reviews come in.
To be considered for the 2021 rankings, bootcamps must help students land jobs in tech through excellent instructor support, curriculum, and career resources; each review left on SwitchUp evaluates the bootcamp on all of these aspects.
All bootcamps listed in product mangament ranking were required to meet the following criteria at the time of publication:
Offer an immersive or part-time product management program
Have at least 10 verified reviews of product management programs
For those product management program reviews, average at least 4/5 stars
Please see our full ranking methodology to see requirements for other rankings.
Bootcamp Highlights
Looking for a school with specific qualities? We've awarded merit badges to schools in several key areas:
Available Online
Offer either part-time or immersive courses that are available online. This includes courses that are offered temporarily online due to COVID-19.
Verified Outcomes
Offer a job outcomes report that was independently verified by a third-party auditor.
Flexible Classes
Offer self-paced, part-time, or evening classes.
Job Guarantee
Offer guaranteed job placement after graduation, or the student's tuition is refunded. Visit the official school site for related terms and conditions.
GI Bill
Approved to accept GI Bill funds according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs .
VET TEC Provider
Approved as a VET TEC Provider according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
References
Schwartz, N. (2020). New Hope for White-Collar Job-Seekers? It Depends on the Job. [online] The New York Times. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/21/business/economy/coronavirus-job-hunting.html [Accessed 11 September 2020].
Assistant Product Manager Salaries. [online] Glassdoor. Available at: https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/assistant-product-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm [Accessed 9 Sept. 2020].
Average Product Manager, Software Salary. [online] Payscale. Available at: https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Product_Manager%2C_Software/Salary [Accessed 9 Sept. 2020].
Product Manager Salaries. [online] Glassdoor. Available at: https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/product-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,15.htm [Accessed 9 Sept. 2020].
Sr Product Manager Salaries. [online] Available at: https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/sr-product-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm [Accessed 9 Sept. 2020].