Tier 3 engineer → Sales/Marketing → Product bootcsamp→ PM Intern (no PPO) → now what? Looking for APM roles + honest MBA advice"
Hey r/ProductManagement_IN,
Posting from a throwaway because I want honest advice, not performative encouragement.
My background (the unfiltered version):
- B.Tech from a Tier 3 college (not IIT, not even close)
- Spent about a year post-grad in sales and marketing roles at startups — learned a lot about customers, got zero PM titles
- Did the PM bootcamp — got placement support
- worked as Product Intern role at an early-stage AI/SaaS startup in Mumbai
- Startup didn't give a PPO. So here I am.
What I've actually done in product: Funnel analysis, global customer discovery, backlog grooming, PRDs, cross-functional work with eng & design, competitive research, and I've built prototypes ,AI automation tools (not just used them). I know the work. I just don't have the title history.
What I'm looking for: Full-time APM role preferably in AI-first, fintech, or B2C SaaS. Tired of startups and unable to be shortlisted in MNCs . Open to mid size startups. I move fast and I'm comfortable with ambiguity.
The question I genuinely can't figure out: Should I do an MBA?
On one hand Tier 1 MBA would fix the college filter problem and open doors that currently won't open for me. On the other hand I'd be 25-26 by the time I'm done, in debt, and I'm not sure an MBA teaches PM better than just doing PM.
Has anyone here made this call? Especially people who came from non-Tier 1 backgrounds did the MBA actually move the needle for PM roles, or did you find another way through?
If you're hiring or know someone who is — DMs open. Happy to share portfolio and resume privately.
I'm serious about the search. Thanks in advance. 🙏