This blog captures a candid podcast conversation with one of our successfully placed learners, Ayushi — a passionate UX designer who transitioned into the world of Product Management through our specialized program. In this episode, she opens up about her journey from a tech background, her motivation to switch careers, and how Jobaaj Learnings helped her navigate this transition while balancing a full-time job.

If you’re someone exploring career shifts into Product Management, this story is a must-read.

Podcaster:
Hi, thank you so much for getting on this call and taking the time from your busy schedule. To begin, can you share a bit about your educational background?

Ayushi:
Absolutely. First of all, thank you for having me. I graduated from Chennai with a B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering in 2022. After that, I moved to Pune and started my career as a UX Designer at an IT startup called Iraq Infotech.

Later, I came across the field of Product Management, which aligned with my long-term goal of developing something of my own. While exploring how to upskill, I discovered Jobaaj Learnings and their Product Management course. After speaking to the team and understanding the curriculum, I decided to join.

As a working professional with a tight schedule, I really appreciated the flexibility they offered. Live sessions were conducted on Sundays, which worked well for me. Although I couldn’t complete the course in the suggested four to six months due to unforeseen circumstances, the team was incredibly supportive and allowed me to learn at my own pace.

Even the final stages — taking the exam, building a portfolio, and preparing for placements — were handled very smoothly.

Podcaster:
That’s great to hear! Could you tell us a bit about how the placement experience went?

Ayushi:
Honestly, it was better than I expected. The placement team was very helpful and hands-on. One of the mentors was assigned to me and took a genuine interest in my progress. She not only followed up with job roles but even helped shortlist opportunities based on my profile.

Sometimes, when I was too busy to apply immediately, she’d keep track of roles and guide me through what to apply for. It felt like someone was truly looking out for me.

Podcaster:
How did you initially come across Jobaaj Learnings?

Ayushi:
I was searching for Product Management courses online and saw a pop-up through Google Ads. After that, I started seeing more on Instagram. I eventually got a call about a two-day workshop, which I attended.

Initially, I wasn’t very sure about the platform, but after talking to the team — and hearing their commitment, including the refund policy if I wasn’t satisfied — I felt confident enough to go ahead. The live sessions especially stood out for me. Interacting directly with instructors makes a big difference compared to only watching recorded content.

Podcaster:
What inspired you to switch from UX design to Product Management?

Ayushi:
It ties back to my life goals. I love my work as a designer, but I know that in the long run, I want to build a business or a product of my own. To do that, I need to understand product strategy, user needs, business alignment — everything that product management offers.

That’s what led me to learn more and make the shift.

Podcaster:
Where are you currently based?

Ayushi:
I’m currently in Pune. But I was born in Banaras, studied in Chennai, and then moved to Pune for work. So yes — I’ve kind of traveled across India!

Podcaster:
Many of the people who will read or watch this podcast might be looking to shift into Product Management themselves. What would you advise them? Is it easy or difficult, and what should they expect?

Ayushi:
Product Management is just like any other professional field — you need to have a clear reason for getting into it. Don’t jump in just because it pays well or sounds cool. Ask yourself why you want to do it and whether your goals align with what the role demands.

Once that’s clear, learning becomes easier. Yes, there are new things to pick up, but with regular practice, it gets manageable. And within Product Management, there are different roles — like Growth PM, Core PM, or Technical PM.

You need to figure out which suits your background and interests. For instance, Technical PM isn’t for me, but Growth or Core PM fits my strengths.

Also, coming from a design background helped because I already work with user experience. For others, they may need to shift their mindset to focus more on the end user and business alignment — that’s crucial.

Podcaster:
Thanks for that thoughtful insight. Just one final question — on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your experience with Jobaaj Learnings?

Ayushi:
Honestly, I’d rate it a 9 out of 10. The only reason it’s not a 10 is because

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Don’t miss the full conversation—watch the podcast now and get inspired by Ayushi’s journey!

 

General interview questions answered by Ayushi during his selection process

Why do you want to transition from UX design to product management?

A: As a UX designer, I was deeply involved in user research and crafting intuitive interfaces. But over time, I realized I wanted to take ownership of the entire product lifecycle — from identifying the user problem to delivering business value. Product Management allows me to drive impact beyond design by aligning user needs with business goals.

How has your UX design background helped you in product thinking?

A: It has helped tremendously. UX design trained me to empathize with users, conduct usability tests, and prioritize based on real feedback. That mindset carries over into product thinking, where user-centricity is key. I approach every product decision by first understanding how it affects the user experience.

Describe a time when you had to balance user needs and business goals.

A: In a previous project, we wanted to simplify the onboarding flow. From a UX perspective, we proposed removing a few steps, but the business needed certain data upfront. I proposed a phased onboarding approach — collect essential info early, and defer the rest post-sign-up. It improved conversion while meeting business data needs.

How do you prioritize features in a product roadmap?

A: I use a combination of frameworks like RICE and MoSCoW, along with user feedback and stakeholder input. I assess impact, effort, alignment with KPIs, and urgency. Prioritization is not a one-time task — it needs regular iteration as market conditions and user feedback evolve.

What metrics would you track for a newly launched feature?

A: It depends on the goal of the feature. For engagement features, I’d track DAU/WAU, time spent, and retention. For a new sign-up flow, conversion rate and drop-off rate by step. I also believe in using qualitative metrics like user feedback to understand the “why” behind the numbers.

How do you deal with conflicting opinions from tech and business teams?

A: I focus on aligning everyone around the core objective — the user problem and business goal. I listen to all sides, ask clarifying questions, and look for data to guide decisions. Sometimes compromise is needed, but I make sure the solution doesn’t harm the user experience or product quality.

How do you validate a new product idea?

A: I start with market and user research to identify the problem. Then, I use techniques like surveys, interviews, and competitor benchmarking. After that, I may create a prototype or MVP and test it with a small group of users to validate demand and usability before scaling up.

What do you think makes a great Product Manager?

A: A great Product Manager is a great listener, decision-maker, and communicator. They have empathy for users, clarity of thought, and the ability to align teams around a vision. They’re data-informed, but also intuitive enough to take bold bets when needed.