u/gingertea30

Hi all, I've been training for 2+ years as a hobbyist (no interest in competing) and am a blue belt. I love my gym because of how welcoming and inclusive it is. However, all my training partners skew much bigger and stronger, even the women. For context I am 120lbs and 5'4'', and the smallest woman at my gym is 5'7 and 160. The lightest man is 155 but it's a purple belt. I'm my gym we train with everyone so I can't pick and choose rolls (I actually like this because it prevents me from being excluded due to gender or size).

Question: With no one my side to train with, I'm having a hard time knowing if I just suck or if I suck but also am improving, and therefore where my focus should be. My coaches tell me that they've seen me improve a lot but idk. How do I get a better sense of what to work on, and whether I'm actually improving?

Context: Hi all, here for some advice. While I have never formally held a PM title, I have done different parts of PM work at different companies. Recently, I went through a full interview loop for a PM role. I didn't get the job, but had great feedback but ultimately they went with someone with deep PM experience (they were looking at strategy backgrounds because they wanted someone to think bigger / longer term). I was super bummed because this market is trash. However, via interviewing I realized I really enjoyed talking to the people, as well as the job itself.

My current background is in Corporate / Product Strategy as well as some Strategy and Ops, in consulting (big 4) and big tech (as well as a few smaller companies). I have 12 years of experience, and the role I interviewed for was at a Principal level.

What I need help with: Given everything happening in this market, is it possible to break into this field without getting lucky that someone is looking specifically for my background? That role felt like a unicorn. I'm looking for tangible, honest advice from people in the field, especially those at tech companies or people who have been plugged into hiring processes.

This market has gotten so tough, but I realized I dont like strategy roles anymore because when you are such a generalist, the company can change your role on a whim. This has happened to me at my last 3 companies, and I'm now a glorified data monkey. I'm eager to have a job I at least somewhat enjoy, and to learn new skills.

I'd truly appreciate any help or advice here.

Context: Hi all, here for some advice. My current background is in Corporate / Product Strategy as well as some Strategy and Ops, in consulting (big 4) and big tech (as well as a few smaller companies). I have 12 years of experience, and lately the work I've been made to do is mainly data analysis. I'm finding myself really underwhelmed and not challenged, as a junior person could do this work with AI. I like data, and have really enjoyed my conversations / collaboration with data scientists, and I am wondering if there is a way to transition into the field. I think the work would be more impactful, as you can do causal analysis and run experimentation to actually drive product recommendations, vs being on the outside looking in.

Back in the day, people used to self study and move from Analytics -> doing some python -> Data science. But with AI and all the layoffs, is that even a viable path?

What I need help with: I'm looking for some advice from folks who work in data science, who are willing to share their POV on how the hiring market has changed, and if there's a feasible way to break in. Or, if I have to go back to school, etc.

I would truly appreciate any help in this regard!