Breaking into Product Management with an Applied Math Degree: Visa, Capital One, American Express

Welcome back to Career Tea, where we get into the real stories behind careers you don't hear enough about. Today, I'm sitting down with Sarina Awatramani, a Senior Product Manager for Open Banking & A2A Solutions at Visa. Her career journey is a masterclass in strategy, data, and continuous growth, taking her from a degree in Applied Mathematics at UCLA to leadership roles at American Express, Capital One, and now Visa.

In this insightful conversation, Sarina spills the tea on:
1) The Visa Jump: Her new role in the UK, where she's leading the launch of Open Banking & A2A solutions for a product that's going live soon.

2) The Capital One Climb: Her rapid progression from a Senior Associate to a Manager, and the "tech company" culture that made her feel empowered to succeed.

3) The American Express Foundation: How a mentor saw her potential and placed her in a PM role, even without a computer science background. She also discusses her role in the

4) PM 2.0 initiative, which was designed to give product managers more ownership.

5) The Power of Diverse Internships: Why she sought out internships in a legal consulting firm, a genetics lab, and a data startup, and how those varied experiences prepared her for a career in product management.

6) Career Advice for Aspiring PMs: Her two key pieces of advice for young professionals: 1) You don't need a PM title to get product experience , and 2) Find comfort in the fact that everything is always changing.

Whether you're an aspiring product manager, a professional looking to make a career pivot, or just curious about the inner workings of tech at big financial institutions, Sarina's candid insights offer immense value.

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Guest:   / sarinaawatramani  

This episode is Hosted, Produced & Edited by Sohrab Memar:
  / sohrabmemar  

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Chapters
00:00
Introduction to a Unique Career Journey
01:25
Exploring the Role of Senior Product Manager at Visa
03:51
Transitioning from Capital One to Visa
07:28
Work Environment and Culture at Capital One
10:15
Comparing Work Cultures: Visa in the UK vs. Capital One in NYC
11:28
Early Career at American Express
15:31
Initiative PM 2.0: Transforming Product Management at Amex
18:25
Experience at UCLA and the Value of an Applied Math Degree
20:59
Alternative Paths to Product Management
23:34
Diverse Internships: Learning from Varied Experiences
27:00
Sources of Inspiration and Motivation
30:15
Navigating Career Opportunities and Planning Ahead
34:00
Advice for Young Professionals and Graduates