Students opting for Technology Product Management

[manish]

Hi,

I am interested in knowing how many (a rough %, or number) of the current students are planning to go for a career in Technology Product Management soon after Yale MBA?

Are there any significant number of students for this stream?

I ask this because I see that there are no 'Technology Management' streams at http://mba.yale.edu/MBA/curriculum/electives/index.shtml

Though most product management courses would fall under Marketing, I am curious to know if there are clubs / interested students for the technology streams.

Thanks.

[paulip88]

There's at least one: me. I haven't met many others, but then again a lot of people are still in the process of figuring out what they'd like to do after leaving SOM. I came in knowing exactly what I wanted to do, but that's the exception.

Product development in the tech sector isn't huge here. It's not known to be an area of strength for the school, nor is a broad enough sector to really focus on. However, we do have a good relationship with Microsoft. In 2006 we had two grads hired there as well as two interns for the summer. We also have many alumni there (too many to count).

We've got two alums at Yahoo, three at Google (one hired from the class of 2006).

So far all of us first-years are doing the same core curriculum so we haven't had a chance to choose any electives. In other words, I can't remark on the how well the electives fit what we're looking for.

In general, I'm not incredibly concerned. Why? Two reasons:
1) I've found in the past that it's the concepts that are important. I'm sure we'll learn those. It will just be a matter of applying the concepts to a specific context (technology). If we can't do this, then we SOL anyway.

2) I already have a background in Computer Science and Human Computer Interaction, which I think would be useful. In other words, I have enough faith that recruiters will see that I have a strong technical background outside of Yale. If you don't a tech background and you're looking for a career switch, then you should take that into consideration.

[mbahope]

Hi Paulip88

Thanks for this information. My career interests are similar at yours and I was a bit concerned even though Yale's new curriculum is a pioneer is management education and I am quite excited about it. Is is possible for me to speak to you at your convenience (phone/email)? that would be really helpful

Thanks much!