Saffron Wildbore
~ 4min read
~ 4min read
For many working professionals, career paths aren’t always straight forward. They’re often shaped by curiosity, new interests and passions that are discovered along the way.
That was certainly the case for mthree Alumni Sakshi, who began her career in product management with mthree in Pune, India. Carry on reading for more about her journey.
Sakshi began her career as a software developer, but soon found an interest in product management and decided to pivot her career. “I started my career as a software developer, which I was for around two years, then I switched companies. I was working in a supply chain domain, both on the development and the product management side.
I was more interested in the product management side, so I decided to pursue a course. I did a bit of freelancing as a business analyst too and was applying for jobs on all sides on LinkedIn, which is where I came across mthree.”
After successfully completing her interview, Sakshi joined one of the cohorts specifically tailored to the client she would be working on-site for. “We were given a month's training on product management. We covered everything, product roadmap, product strategies, different terminologies and use cases that we needed to work on. And to be honest, the training was pretty good, actually very good.
Before starting a new project or initiative, you need to follow the proper steps. It has to go through higher levels of management, usually requiring approval from two or three people. There’s a chain of command for this process.
Also, it’s important to involve the right people from the beginning. Make sure everyone agrees on the plan before moving forward with any new features or changes. Understanding different opinions and making sure everyone is on the same page is key. When a new feature is added, everyone should know what it is and how it will affect things. After all, no one wants to create something that won’t be used. This was one of the most important lessons I learned from this course.”
Now part of the payment gateway team with an mthree client, Sakshi plays a crucial role in managing white-label payment solutions. She helps banks and merchants integrate payment services into their own platforms.
Her responsibilities also include:
Working on compliance and mandates
Working with PIN encryption
Giving functionality to users
Gathering requirements
Bin implementation for international schemes
Data for transactions
Sprint planning and prioritisation
One of the projects she is particularly proud of is the development of point of sales machines that are used in retail stores worldwide, “being a part of something that we see used day to day makes me really proud. I’m working on something that people actually want to use!”
Sakshi has grown close with her cohort, and often they spend time guiding one another and using each other as a sounding board. “There were six of us that joined the training together, some of us were freshers and some of us were experienced people.
We all joined the same client, so getting to know them personally while working on site, I saw we were all unique in some way. We all got onboarded into six separate teams. All of us were properly trained with patience and good guidance and we have all come up with a lot of great ideas for our teams.
On our first day, we all met up before and went into the office together. We catch up for coffee or lunch, we all stick together and support each other.”
Sakshi is keen to progress her career in product management, “I would like to focus more on the data side, and get a handle on API integration into the product. I’d also like to see myself using Gen AI technologies in product management.
I want to know product management from end to end, which tools are required for every action and know every single thing we do around here. It’s an exciting area, constantly seeing things adapt and innovate.”
Sakshi has great advice for others looking to follow in her footsteps, “You must master the basics - understand key terminologies, the product roadmap, strategy, and metrics. You need deep user insight and a strong sense of empathy. Initially, you need to be very thorough with the basics.
Whatever domain you’re aiming to enter, make it your priority. First, learn the fundamentals of product management. Next, decide where you want to specialise and when to make your move. Once you've chosen your domain, understand its background—how its ecosystem operates, whether it’s the food chain, supply chain, or finance sector. This knowledge is essential for breaking into the field.”
Reflecting on her journey, Sakshi is most proud of her perseverance, “I am proudest of myself for never giving up on the things I truly want in life. I will never quit without trying first, that is something I take great pride in. No matter what it is - my career, health goals, or relationships - if I want it, I will give it my all. In the end, whether I achieve it or not, I will have no regrets because I gave it my best effort. That is what makes me truly proud.”
With a passion for product management, a strong foundation of experience, and a curiosity that drives her forward, Saksh is on an exciting career path, and it’s only just beginning.
Want to follow in Sakshi’s footsteps? Find out more about our graduate programme and apply to one of our roles today.
Saffron Wildbore is a Senior Marketing Executive at mthree. She has worked in marketing, specialising in creating content for over 5 years. Saffron focuses on writing tips for graduates, Alumni interviews and more!
