Emily Rufca's Intro to Product Management Portfolio Project

During the CareerFoundry Intro to Product Management Course, you’ll build out a job-ready project for your portfolio. Here is part of Emily’s project: a presentation about suggested improvements to the offline functionality for a travel and location app called MakeYourMaps.

In Emily’s presentation, she identifies the problem and suggests improvements, and also shares details on user personas, wireframes, and a product launch plan.

Introducing her project and talking about her experience studying with CareerFoundry, here’s what Emily had to share:

What inspired you to make a career change into this field?

During my personal sabbatical after resigning from my previous job, I met another product manager while traveling and suddenly asked myself, ‘what do these people actually do?’ I immediately began researching the career and was shocked at how many of the aspects of the job were things I was already skilled with, enjoyed doing, and matched my natural personality. 

From that moment on, I began learning all I could and taking actions that could inch me closer to transitioning into a product management career, which eventually brought me to CareerFoundry. 

What did you enjoy most about the CareerFoundry Intro to Product Management Course?

The flexibility is top notch! The material is easy to learn and digest, and the assignments are valuable, in that these are tasks I will be doing in the actual role. 

I have also found the staff to be extremely supportive, and I enjoy having regular check-ins with and learning from my mentor. The company seems to be very forward-thinking in its business practices and how it can be of value to students. 

What did you enjoy about creating your CareerFoundry portfolio project?

These projects really force me to think strategically about the content I am creating and how this will be of value to my audience. 

With regards to your new career and skills, what are your hopes for the future?

I hope to smoothly transition into a new product manager role and kick off my new career with confidence!