Navigating Career Transitions: From Technical Writing to Product Management

Maria from Tech4Dev
3 min readOct 20, 2023

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My name is Anne Kissiedu, a graduate of the University of Lagos with a degree in Mass Communication. I started my career as a Technical Writer in my second year. However, that role lasted only for a short period.

In my third year, I embarked on learning UI/UX Design. This experience sparked my interest in Product Management, as I became fascinated with the processes behind app development.

At the beginning of this year, I made the decision to fully pursue a career in the technology industry. While lacking a specific motivation, I recognized the immense potential for growth and a promising future in the field.

It is worth noting that when one has a strong desire for something, there is a way for it to manifest. I decided to pursue a career as a Product Manager and fortuitously came across the Women Techsters Bootcamp training program through a family member, a group, and a friend’s recommendation.

This opportunity perfectly aligned with my financial situation at the time and so I took it. Participating in the Product Teardown sessions during the Bootcamp helped me gain a deeper understanding of development processes and improved my work.

During the training, I familiarized myself with various software, such as Optimal Workshop, ClickUp, Jira, and Uptiq. I also acquired a range of skills, including One Pager PRD, Product Pricing Strategy, Go-To-Market Strategy, Product Marketing, Competitive Analysis, Task Management, Community Management, Quality Assurance, A/B Testing, Prioritization, Sprint Planning, MVP Development, Collaboration with developers, designers, CX Team, Product Vision, Wireframing, Leadership, Communication, Business Model Canvas, and more.

My facilitator, Theodora, proved to be an excellent teacher, not just for her expertise in Product Management, but also for her demeanor and guidance. The jokes, the selection of a class representative, the assignments, and the constructive feedback all contributed to a comprehensive learning experience. I credit Theodora Isola and the entire Women Techsters team for delivering an exceptional experience.

One significant challenge I encountered during my tech journey was securing a job. I overcame this obstacle by maintaining a growth mindset, advocating for myself, and seeking guidance from a higher power.

I am currently employed at Moor Pay (formerly Zaidi), where my work encompasses all aspects of Product Management. Recent developments have left me feeling positive and accomplished. I had the opportunity to contribute to the creation of Moor Pay, one of the products at Moor. Additionally, I successfully pitched my idea, Kulea, which aims to reduce maternal mortality rates in Africa. It finished third in an event organized by LEAP AFRICA. Keep an eye out for Kulea’s future progress.

Looking ahead, I am determined to continue building remarkable products and invite everyone to watch out for Kulea’s progress.

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Maria from Tech4Dev
Maria from Tech4Dev

Written by Maria from Tech4Dev

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