3 min. read
A day in the life: Software Engineer
3 min. read
Career Change: From Frontend Engineering to Product Management
Embracing a growth mindset is about seeing every experience as an opportunity for personal development. It’s about finding your fit in a world full of possibilities, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. In today’s blog, we meet Agnieszka Ziółkowska, a Junior Frontend Engineer at OLX, who made the journey from an engineering role into the dynamic world of product management. Join us as she shares her inspiring story of career transformation and growth.
So firstly, can you share a brief overview of your career path and what led you to consider changing paths?
I started working at OLX in June 2021, I was hired as a Junior Frontend Engineer. At my first job at a small software company, I gained experience in dynamic projects, switching between React, Vue, and Angular for visually engaging landing pages. Working as a frontend engineer for OLX turned out to be a completely different challenge: it was a more complex product with a huge codebase and specific requirements in terms of performance, security and reliability. After some time, I realised that developing myself in the frontend world wasn’t what I wanted, but luckily I was fortunate to work with an inspiring Product Manager who could see that my skills could work well elsewhere.
Can you describe the moment or realization when you decided to pursue a new career?
I didn’t even think it was possible to switch paths, so my initial instinct was to quit! It was a tough call, because working for OLX had been a great experience: I felt safe, people were wonderful, and there were so, so many resources to learn from. Thankfully, I had an honest talk with my manager and he was actually the one to point out that from his observations he could see my interest in the product.
Were there any challenges or obstacles you faced during the transition process, and how did you overcome them?
There still are some to overcome 😉 product management is a field full of surprises, it hardly is a case that I come across a question or a problem that has a binary answer/solution. Product field can also truly be a rabbit hole – you try to find an answer to one problem and you end up finding 3 new problems to solve! So you need to prioritize, that is something a Frontend usually doesn’t have to worry about too much.
Having a group of amazing, kind, and super talented senior product managers who were willing to help me onboard and still are open to share feedback or any tips when needed – I believe that is invaluable when making a transition like this.
How did your previous experience and skills contribute to your success in your new career?
Having been a Product Manager for a team of extremely knowledgeable and experienced engineers is definitely a challenge, and I do feel that my background in frontend helps me to understand quickly what they are talking about which is then helpful in evaluating the effort and time needed to complete a goal.
Can you share any advice or insights for others who are considering changing careers?
I hate to use the good old cliche of ‘just do it’ but well, it’s a cliche for a reason 😉 it really is worth a try, if you feel drawn to a different path jump in whenever there is a chance to actually get your hands dirty and give it a try – you can always go back, worst case scenario – you’ll gain a new perspective and learn something new 🙂
Looking back, is there anything you wish you had known or done differently during your career change process?
I wouldn’t wait so long before speaking openly with my manager about the doubts that I had. Now I know that OLX really cares about hiring the right people. Talking to a manager openly is the best decision you can make for both yourself and the company.
Thank you Agnieszka for your time!
Agnieszka’s story is a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to shift gears and pursue a career that aligns more closely with your evolving interests and skills. If you’re inspired by Agnieszka’s journey and curious about finding your own fit, we invite you to check out our current openings by visiting our Open Roles page.
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