Shweta Malla: Blazing a Trail in Product Management
As women continue to make strides in the tech industry, Shweta Malla’s journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring female professionals. Originally from India and raised in Dubai, Shweta’s analytical mind and commitment to growth have propelled her to the forefront of the product management field.
From Analyst to Product Manager
Shweta’s foray into product management began as an analyst, where she worked closely with product teams, engineers, and marketers. This exposure ignited her passion for product development, and through self-driven learning and a thirst for knowledge, she transitioned into her current role as a Product Manager at LexisNexis Risk, working remotely from California.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
One of the significant challenges Shweta faced was the impostor syndrome, feeling out of place among colleagues with decades of experience. However, she embraced this as an opportunity for growth, learning from her peers and contributing her unique perspective. The support from her team and manager played a crucial role in overcoming these obstacles.
Guiding Values
Shweta’s professional growth is guided by a commitment to being supportive and collaborative. She believes in the power of mentorship and actively engages in guiding aspiring product managers. Her principle of “Always be helpful to others” is the cornerstone of her professional ethos, coupled with maintaining transparency in the workplace.
Fostering Collaboration
Effective team collaboration in product management, according to Shweta, starts with being a good listener. Ensuring that everyone’s suggestions, be it from UI/UX, marketing, or engineering, are heard and valued is crucial. Success is achieved when the entire team works cohesively towards unified goals.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
To keep abreast of industry trends, Shweta subscribes to various newsletters and regularly communicates with her sales and marketing teams. She dedicates time to reading articles and journals, ensuring that she stays informed about the latest developments in product management.
Envisioning the Future
In the coming years, Shweta believes the field of product management will experience significant growth, especially with the increasing emphasis on product-led growth. This will likely involve a more integrated role for product managers, working closely with product growth managers to drive innovation and market success.
Advice for Aspiring Product Managers
For those looking to break into product management, Shweta recommends starting with networking, understanding the nuances of the field, and committing to continuous learning. It’s a multifaceted role that requires a diverse skill set and adaptability. Engaging with experienced product managers, reading insightful books on the subject, and continuously updating your knowledge are key to succeeding in this dynamic field.
Connecting with Shweta
As a mentor and advocate for women in tech, Shweta is active on LinkedIn and always open to connecting with others in the industry. Those seeking guidance or mentorship in product management can reach out to her on LinkedIn, where she plans to host group sessions and provide resume reviews for aspiring product managers, both online and in person.
Shweta Malla’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and a commitment to continuous learning. Her story serves as an inspiration for early women in tech, encouraging them to embrace challenges, seek mentorship, and blaze their own trails in the ever-evolving world of technology.
Founded in 2019, Products by Women is a community-driven non profit org dedicated to empowering underrepresented women. We offer education in business, tech, and product skills. Our non-profit supports workforce reentry through community, events, and mentorship.
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