How to Transition to Product Management (And Succeed)

How to Transition to Product Management (And Succeed) is taught by Anna Kolenkina who has 15+ years in the IT industry and worked with cross-cultural teams from Switzerland, Russia, and Singapore.

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You can expect to learn basic concepts like a high-level introduction to the Product Manager role, types of Product Managers (AI Product Manager, Growth Product Manager, etc.), and the end-to-end product management process.

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It will also have some discussions on how to build up your product management skills and and successfully shift to a PM role.

This course is best for aspiring product managers or anyone who are looking for a cost-free introduction to Product Management.

The How to Transition to Product Management (And Succeed) by A. Kolenkina program has 4.6 stars from 67 reviewers on Udemy.

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Learners have said:

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“I liked the course - no fluff, just clear up-to-date information from the PM expert. Many examples, tips & tricks on how to build up relevant PM experience to get the job. Skills assessment makes you think - got some things straight in my head and helped to find what to focus on while transitioning to the PM role.” - Dimitrii B

This course can be considered as a preparatory coursework towards Co.Lab’s Product Management track. It’s a good introduction to defining product management, understanding what the role entails, and identifying the transferable skills you have that will prove useful once you shift into being a product manager.

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After completing this course, it is recommended that you join Co.Lab's 4-week Sprint program to solidify your product management foundations, then transfer your theoretical knowledge to practical skills by shipping a live product in a cross-functional team consisting of a UI/UX designer, software developers, and a pre-vetted industry mentor with the 8-week Bootcamp program.

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Cost

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This course is free to take at Udemy! However, it does not come with a certificate of completion, instructor Q&A, or direct message from the instructor.

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On the other hand, Co.Lab’s Sprint costs $500 USD for a 4-week program and Bootcamp costs $3,800 USD for an 8-week program. Both offer a structured learning experience with peers, using an experiential learning model, where you graduate with the right skills to kickstart your career in product

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Learning Outcomes

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After taking the course, you will not get a certificate of complication from Udemy. At Co.Lab, not only will you get a Certificate of Completion, but also a student portfolio.

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However, our focus at Co.Lab is to help learners gain confidence, credibility and tangible experience, beyond just the certificate. Portfolios with Co.Lab are just the end result - the work involves speaking to real users, doing market research, and potentially working with a team to build out a real MVP.

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Additionally, Co.Lab portfolio are hosted publicly for you to share with recruiters, hiring managers and supporters. You can check out other student portfolios here.

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Personal Brand Support

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Co.Lab’s programs are unique in that we focus on helping you stand out from the crowd, by building your personal brand and community online.

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Co.Lab's Sprint and Bootcamp programs also have a robust Build in Public program, where you get to share your wins and learnings to your professional network - ensuring you remain visible to recruiters and hiring managers.

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Lastly, our Product Management track grants you entry to an exclusive Discord community of tech professionals where you can get advice, networking opportunities, and referrals.

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Mentorship

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Co.Lab also has weekly mentor check-ins to ensure that you're guided appropriately by industry professionals.

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In fact, your spec in the Sprint program will be personally given feedback on by your mentors. It will also be published on Co.Lab's website and posted in Co.Lab's social accounts.

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There will also be an end-of-cohort celebration where top students get to present their product idea to the public.

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Curriculum Content

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In this course, you are given a high-level explanation of the Product role and your responsibilities. It includes the different types of product managers, a brief explanation of the end-to-end product management process, and the types of skills you have currently that can effectively transfer to a PM role.

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Whereas in Co.Lab, you will learn about the fundamental concepts an entry-level Product Manager should know. You will have the chance to apply your learnings, build your own spec, get a certificate of completion, and build an MVP with a cross-functional team in an agile environment.

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Self-paced vs Cohort-based Learning Experience:

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What makes this course different from Co.Lab's Sprint program is the learning experience. This course is a self-paced program. Co.Lab's Product Sprint is a cohort-based program.

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While this course allows you to study the basics of a PM role with more flexibility since you will go through it at your own pace, it also means that you need to have the internal motivation to finish the course.

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With Co.Lab's Product Management Sprint program you are in a cohort-based model with built-in accountability. You go through the program with other learners. You get to share your learnings, compare and contrast ideas, and provide you with real people who can be your sounding boards.

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If you enjoy structured group learning, and struggle with self-paced individual programs, then the Sprint program may be a better fit for you.