Tanuja Vallabhaneni (MSPM 2020)

Product Manager
Paypal

Share a little bit about your background and what led you to MSPM?

I completed my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering. I started my career as a software engineer at S&P Global. As an engineer, I loved solving problems and bringing ideas to life.

As I navigated through different projects at S&P Global, I learned that I really enjoyed understanding the ‘why’, learning about customer problems, prioritizing needs, and managing multiple stakeholders. So, I decided to pursue a career in Product Management and MSPM was a great choice with courses in Business, Design, and Technology.

What do you enjoy the most about your career?

The thing I enjoy the most about my career is that I connect with so many people as part of my day-to-day work.

What advice would you give to someone considering the MSPM program?

Know your ‘why’. Things like the industry you want to be in or the company you want to work for can change over time. But I think it's very important to have clarity about why you want to be a product manager and how this program can help you become a great PM.

What are the top skills that are required to be successful in your career?

In my opinion, stakeholder management, dealing with uncertainty, conflict resolution, and the ability to derive insights from data are very important skills for a successful career in product management.

What is your favorite memory from your time in the MSPM program?

I loved spending time on Tepper Quad doing group assignments, interview prep, networking, etc. As a class of 2020, I didn’t get to spend a lot of time on campus, so I will cherish every bit of it.