Harshita Pal's Bold Career Pivot from Engineering to Product Management in Big Tech

The moment things shifted

After nearly a decade working as a software engineer, Harshita Pal found herself at a crossroads. She held a stable, well-compensated position at an American multinational retailer, yet something fundamental was missing. The technical work that had once engaged her no longer felt like enough. She wanted to move beyond writing code and into a role where she could shape product direction and strategy—where her influence could ripple across entire teams and user experiences.

In 2021, Pal made the decision to leave her job. It was a significant step: walking away from financial security and professional stability to pursue something uncertain. But the pull toward a different kind of work was stronger than the comfort of staying put. She had identified what she wanted next, and she was willing to invest in getting there.

What they tried

Pal's strategy was deliberate. Rather than attempting to transition directly into product management from engineering—a shift that would have been difficult without formal training—she enrolled at the University of California, Irvine to pursue an MBA. This degree would give her the business acumen, frameworks, and credibility needed to make the leap into product leadership.

The MBA was not simply a credential to collect. It was a structured opportunity to learn the disciplines of product management, strategy, and business fundamentals that her engineering background had not covered. While completing her studies, Pal remained focused on her ultimate goal: landing a product management role at a major technology company.

What worked, what didn't

After finishing her MBA, Pal secured a three-month internship at a Big Tech company. This was the foothold she needed. Rather than viewing the internship as a temporary assignment, she treated it as an extended audition—a chance to demonstrate her capabilities, learn the company's culture, and prove her value to the team.

The internship worked. Pal's performance during those three months was strong enough to convert into a full-time offer. She transitioned from intern to Senior Product Manager at the same company, a promotion that reflected both her contributions and the company's confidence in her abilities. The path from engineering to product management, which had seemed distant in 2021, had become reality.

Reflecting on the transition, Pal has spoken about the nature of the sacrifice involved. > "It felt like a short-term sacrifice and an investment in my career." This framing—viewing the MBA, the internship, and the career change as calculated investments rather than losses—shaped how she moved through the process. The financial cost of tuition, the opportunity cost of leaving a paying job, and the uncertainty of whether the pivot would succeed were all real. But she weighed them against the potential long-term return: a career that aligned with her ambitions.

What they'd tell someone else

Pal's experience offers clarity about what matters when making a significant career change. The first element is patience. She did not rush the transition or attempt shortcuts. She took time to pursue formal education, complete an internship, and allow the process to unfold. Quick pivots rarely work; deliberate ones do.

The second is planning. Pal did not leave her job and hope something would materialize. She identified a specific destination—product management at a major tech company—and worked backward to determine what steps would get her there. The MBA was not a vague "self-improvement" exercise; it was a targeted credential for a specific field.

The third is belief. Walking away from a high-paying job requires conviction that the move makes sense, even when the outcome is not guaranteed. Pal maintained that conviction through the MBA program, through the internship, and into her new role. For anyone considering a similar pivot, these three elements—patience, planning, and self-belief—form the foundation. The specifics will differ depending on the career change in question, but the underlying approach remains the same: know where you want to go, understand what it takes to get there, and commit to the process even when it feels uncertain.