Discover what makes product managers successful beyond technical skills, from empathy and communication to strategic thinking, plus how to break into this high-paying field without a specific degree.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

Lena: Hey Miles, I was talking to my friend last night who's thinking about a career change, and she mentioned product management. I realized I don't actually know what product managers do day-to-day. It sounds impressive on LinkedIn, but what exactly makes someone successful in that role?
Miles: That's such a great question, Lena. You know what's fascinating? Product managers are often called the "CEO of the product," but unlike most roles, there's no standard educational path to get there. Most product managers don't even start their careers in product!
Lena: Wait, seriously? So you don't need a specific degree or background?
Miles: Exactly! According to Zippia, over 72% of product managers have a bachelor's degree, but they come from all kinds of backgrounds—marketing, engineering, business analytics, even customer service. What matters more are the skills you bring to the table.
Lena: I'm guessing communication must be important since they work with so many different teams?
Miles: Absolutely! Communication is crucial, but empathy might be the most essential skill. Product managers need to deeply understand customer problems and translate them into solutions. They're constantly balancing what users want, what's technically feasible, and what makes business sense.
Lena: That sounds challenging but rewarding. I'm curious though—how well do these jobs pay? Is all that responsibility worth it?
Miles: Well, according to Glassdoor, the average annual total pay for a product manager in the US is around $103,240. But what's really interesting is how product managers develop their careers. Let's explore the typical career path and what skills you need to develop to break into this high-demand field...