{"id":13904,"date":"2025-09-15T18:57:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T01:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intuitblog.com\/?p=13904"},"modified":"2025-09-15T18:57:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T01:57:00","slug":"from-pre-med-to-product-my-journey-into-tech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intuit.com\/blog\/innovative-thinking\/from-pre-med-to-product-my-journey-into-tech\/","title":{"rendered":"From Pre-Med to Product: My Journey Into Tech"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Breaking into product management isn\u2019t always a straightforward, linear path. For me, my journey began in pre-med. This post shares the key experiences, skills, and mindset shifts that helped me transition into product and ultimately land in Intuit\u2019s RPM program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I started at Georgia Tech as a first-generation college student, I believed the only way to make a meaningful impact was through medicine. I chose biomedical engineering and committed to the pre-med track, spending long hours in labs, studying for chemistry exams, and shadowing doctors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But outside the classroom, I was endlessly curious. One week I\u2019d be researching how commercial airliners work, the next I\u2019d be watching a teardown video of my favorite product or AI demos. I wasn\u2019t just interested in medicine. I wanted to understand how systems worked and how people solved problems in every industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking my first computer science course changed everything. I realized I could apply that same problem-solving mindset in healthcare, education, finance, or any space that needed better solutions. I switched majors to Computer Science (CS) and started building projects whenever I had time. I loved the skillset that computer science gave me, and the analytical way it taught me to solve problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My First Glimpse at Product Thinking<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At a Georgia Tech startup incubator, I built a language-learning app powered by AI. Users could practice conversation with a large language model, and the app would adjust lesson tracks based on their progress. I designed the user experience, integrated the open-source model, and ran feedback sessions to test improvements. Users gained confidence, and their quiz scores improved too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That project gave me my first taste of product thinking, designing for real users, iterating based on feedback, and delivering something useful. Other CS classes helped me build on that foundation with skills like rapid prototyping, user research, and data analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Falling Into Product, and Finding My Fit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My first product management internship happened by chance. I applied not really knowing what a PM did. But my manager took the time to teach me the ropes, how to run user interviews, prioritize features, and align with stakeholders. I led a project that automated a tedious internal workflow, saving the team hours every week. That was the moment I knew this was the kind of work I wanted to keep doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That led me to a second APM internship at Google, based in Z\u00fcrich. I worked on the YouTube Shopping team, launching features and redesigning the shopping page to increase engagement. I knew I wanted to keep growing as a PM, and I wanted a structured way to do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying to Intuit’s RPM Program<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I applied on the day applications opened, without a referral, and highly recommend applying early, since Intuit reviews candidates on a rolling basis. The interview process moved quickly, with two rounds completed in just a couple of weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Round one included a two-day take-home product case followed by a behavioral interview. I blocked off time to focus deeply on the case and shared examples from past leadership and project experiences. In round two, I presented my AI-powered language learning app, highlighting product decisions and user impact, then worked through an interviewer-led design case that tested my ability to adapt and think critically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About a week later, I received the offer. The entire process was clear, fast, and respectful, one of the most well-run recruiting experiences I\u2019ve had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lessons and Advice for Aspiring PMs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Start Before You Feel Ready<\/strong>
<\/strong>Some of my best learning came from just jumping in, whether I was launching a side project, leading an initiative, or building something from scratch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every Experience Is Product Experience<\/strong>
<\/strong>I worked in research labs, led student groups, taught classes, and explored ideas outside of school. Although seemingly not relevant, each of those roles sharpened skills I still use today, communication, collaboration, decision-making. In interviews, drawing from that range gave me stories that felt real and grounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Build What You Can, However You Can<\/strong>
<\/strong>You don\u2019t need fancy tools or a CS degree to start solving problems. Some of my earliest prototypes lived in spreadsheets or basic no-code tools. Showing you can take initiative and execute, even in low-fidelity, is what stands out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Build Your Own Product Mindset<\/strong>
<\/strong>Frameworks help, but intuition comes from looking at the world like a PM. I started analyzing everyday experiences, how businesses operate, why certain features work, what problems are being solved. Books like Swipe to Unlock<\/em> helped, but so did just being curious and asking, \u201cWhy was this built this way?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why I Chose Intuit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I chose Intuit because the RPM program offers more than just a title. It\u2019s structured learning with real ownership. The rotations cover everything from AI to core product work. Mentorship is built in. And RPMs aren\u2019t sidelined, they lead projects that matter. The culture values deep customer empathy, experimentation, and a focus on impact. If you\u2019re the kind of person who loves solving hard problems and building from scratch, this program will challenge and grow you in all the right ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about Intuit\u2019s RPM program<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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