I’m starting from a place where literally nobody in my circle works in tech. My family’s in finance and law. My friends are in consulting or banking. My undergrad network is solid but completely outside of tech. This is actually harder than just deciding to “network”—I don’t have a natural entry point.
I’ve been researching companies I care about and trying to figure out who to talk to, but even when I find a PM, I’m messaging a complete stranger with zero connectors. It doesn’t feel real in the same way it would if Sarah from class knew someone at Google and could introduce me.
I know people break into PM from other industries all the time, so there has to be a path that doesn’t require you to already know people. But what does that actually look like when you’re building a network from absolute zero? Are there communities or platforms where you can actually meet people who work in tech? Or are you just grinding it out with cold outreach until something sticks?
Research indicates approximately 40-50% of PM transitions occur without family or friend connections. The effective path typically involves three primary channels: industry-specific communities (Product School, Mind the Product), alumni networks with tech representation, and strategic event attendance. Cold outreach success rates increase with specificity and timing—targeting companies or individuals with public content demonstrates genuine research. Most importantly, building a minor presence first (comments on product discussions, thoughtful Twitter threads) increases cold outreach efficacy by 35-50%. Your non-tech background is actually differentiating; companies actively recruit for diverse PM perspectives.
Starting from zero is not a disadvantage; it requires a structured approach. Begin by identifying communities where PMs actually congregate—Product School, industry Slack groups, or niche communities in your target sector. Attend events where tech professionals gather, but don’t go hunting for jobs; go to learn and meet people. When you engage in these spaces, focus on asking intelligent questions rather than pitching yourself. Document your thinking on product through writing or discussions. This establishes your credibility before you even reach out individually. Alumni networks are underestimated—many tech companies have employees from non-tech universities. Finally, consider that your banking or consulting background is actually valuable in tech. Many companies specifically seek people who understand operations, finance, or client management.
yeah no family connections into tech is tough but honestly it just means you gotta be slightly more intentional. find online communities where pms hang out, contribute thoughtfully without asking for anything, then after a few weeks of showing you’re serious, reach out to people individually. product school and some industry groups have actual pm communities. or try alumni groups where tech companies recruit. cold outreach works when you’ve shown some signal first.
honestly join product communities!! like Product School or discord servers for pms?? ppl are way more open to chatting if u already engage with them there first
You’ve got so many options! Communities, events, alumni networks—you’ll find your people. Everyone starts somewhere, and your unique background will set you apart!
I was exactly in your position—nobody in my network worked in tech at all. I joined a Slack community focused on product careers and just started asking questions and sharing thoughts. After about a month, I dm’d someone from that community who worked at a company I liked. I already knew they were thoughtful from the Slack convos, so it didn’t feel like a cold message. That led to three introductions. Building community first actually makes the individual outreach feel wayyy less weird.