Navigating the Intersection of Tech and Product

At times in our lives, we find ourselves at a crossroads. As we reach adulthood, the myriad of possibilities can be overwhelming. The process of selecting a career path can be both exhilarating and daunting. What if you have many interests and can only choose one? This is a question that Rucha Patki, a seasoned Product Manager at Salesforce, grappled with during her college years. Her journey from mechanical engineering to product management is a testament to the power of curiosity, open-mindedness, and the willingness to explore new paths.

From Mechanical Engineering to Product Management

Rucha began her college experience at UCLA as a mechanical engineering major, driven by a passion for creating things. When a summer tutoring experience in computer science, specifically in making iOS apps, piqued her interest, it led to a new direction. She found herself in computer science classes, eventually making the switch to a CS major. Her time at UCLA was marked by a diverse array of interests, from sociology to dance, and active involvement in extracurriculars like the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), which helped shape her college experience and hone her leadership skills.

During her second summer, Rucha interned at Meta, where she experienced a cross-functional role and met a product manager. This encounter was pivotal, sparking her interest in product management. Her final summer in college was spent as an Associate Product Manager (APM) intern at Salesforce, where she learned about the field and how to work in it. The internship provided immense support from the core team, mentorship from peers, and exposure to cross-functional roles.

The Salesforce APM Program: A Path to Success

After graduation, Rucha accepted a full-time offer and joined the Salesforce APM program, a two-year journey with three eight-month rotations. This program allowed her to delve into various products across Salesforce, learning best practices from different teams and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the product lifecycle.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the program was the cohort experience. Rucha was part of a 10 person cohort, where everyone was learning in different areas of the company. Their monthly gatherings to share and learn from each other not only enriched her professional experience but also forged some of her closest friendships.

The Role of a Product Manager

As a product manager, Rucha is drawn to the product vision, understanding who she is building for, and why. She enjoys being part of the full journey from creation to promotion and support, wearing many hats along the way. During the time of this interview, her favorite product to work on was Health Cloud, which builds healthcare solutions, particularly appointment management.

Pivotal Moments and Key Values

Rucha's career has been marked by several pivotal moments that have led her to learn about the diverse facets within the technology industry. Throughout her experience, three soft skills have helped her reach success, particularly in the APM program though surely they’re key values no matter where you are:

1. Communication: Essential for interacting with stakeholders and customers, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
2. Empathy: Understanding users' problems and potential solutions.
3. Curiosity: A mindset of asking why things are the way they are and how they can change.

A Project to Be Proud Of

One of the first projects that Rucha became incredibly proud of is her work on Appexchange.com. She was in charge of revamping the entire homepage, making it more functional and user-friendly. This involved understanding the vision, collaborating with designers and engineers, and working with marketing and PR to ensure everyone knew about it. The result was a significant decrease in bounce rate and increased site usage, with more people exploring solutions that were right for their products. This project highlighted the importance of collaboration and had a profound impact on the business, as Appexchange is akin to an app store for Salesforce products. Check out her article about appexchange or this Salesforce blog with her video demo.

Why Salesforce?

For Rucha, the people at Salesforce have been a major factor in her decision to build her career here. The encouragement, intelligence, and fun she experiences daily make the work meaningful and rewarding. In the dynamic world of product management, every project is a journey. For Rucha Patki, it's about creating impactful solutions that resonate with users, and her story is a beautiful example. Each project is a new opportunity to innovate, grow, and make a difference, ensuring that the journey is as exciting as the destination.

To learn more about the APM program, visit: https://careers.salesforce.com/en/university/associate-product-manager/.