👀 IBM APM: Application to Offer – iykyk

Notre Dame, Business, & Real Estate

Hi there 👋 — Who are you and what’s your background?

Hey, I’m Krissy! I’m an Associate Product Manager at IBM and have been for almost a year now. I graduated from the University of Notre Dame last May. At Notre Dame, I got my bachelor’s in Business and majored in Business Analytics with a minor in Real Estate. IBM was my first role after graduation.

Learning about PM and Intros

For those who are unfamiliar, how is the program structured and run?

The APM program at IBM is great. The first 6 weeks of the program are a virtual product management boot camp, where you get to meet all of the other new APMs, learn about what it takes to be a product manager and how product management is run at IBM, and take part in a group project with a few other APMs to ease your transition into the role. It’s a great intro to product management for people who haven’t been a PM before. After the boot camp, you are placed into your product team and get straight to work within your division.

Predetermined Placements

Is there anything the program landing page doesn't tell us about the APM program?

Something that I didn’t know going into the APM program was that you don’t have much say or control over which product you are placed in after the boot camp. Usually, this is pre-decided by your recruiter and hiring manager, and wherever PMs are needed throughout the organization. I was lucky to be placed in the Data & AI division in a product that I’m interested in, but I didn’t get to choose it.

Interning & Resume Structure

What do you think made you stand out as an applicant and is there a recruitment strategy that nobody is doing right now, but should be?

I interned at IBM during college, which I think definitely helped me stand out in the recruiting process as I had already built connections at the company that I could reach out to advocate for me to get my full-time offer. Take advantage of your internships and make as many connections as you can! Whether it be through 1:1’s or coffee chats, having people in your corner whom you can learn from and that can vouch for you coming back to the company is so important. I’m still in touch with my mentors from my internship and catch up with them regularly now that I’m back full-time.

In terms of getting my internship, I structured my resume to make all of my experience thus far related to product management skills, even if they weren’t actual PM internships or roles, like aligning multiple people together, leading a vision, and having empathy for teammates. Make your work experience and extracurricular activities speak to your interpersonal skills, as these skills are vital for product managers.

Compensation & Promotions

What is the average starting salary for program participants and what does the salary progression look like once you’ve graduated from the program?

My full compensation package added up to about $129k, including bonuses. I’m not too sure what my salary will look like in the future, but the next promotion I’d be able to receive is going from Associate Product Manager to Product Manager.

Sticking with PM & Gaining Experience

What’s your next play after graduating from this program? Has this program impacted your 5-10 year career plan?

I love being a product manager so far, so I’d definitely love to stay on this career path! I’m also interested in getting my MBA a few years from now to broaden my network and advance in my product management path. I’m also really interested in real estate and am saving up to start investing in real estate so I can grow that as a side hustle. I’m still so new to my career that there’s so much I want to get involved in, but am focused on living in the moment, enjoying my role, and getting all the experience I can for now.