Product Marketing Career Path

i.e. working at a large company with minimal scope, focusing on sales enablement but knowing you need experience on the product launch side, other marketing teams covering responsibilities, etc.

There is often a huge emphasis on analytical skills, instead of brand marketing skills, when it comes to product marketing job descriptions.

I’m relatively new to marketing (have done some freelancing in social media and influencer marketing). But I have a strong interest in messaging, positioning and understanding the customer, and I think Product Marketing could be a good fit for me.

I'm starting a new job next week! Would love to hear your top tips in general as well as at the director level.

I'm on my 5th year of product marketing in my career, with another 5 years before that in general demand gen at very small companies. I've had management experience in the past, but not in a Product Marketing role. Often times in smaller companies, there will be 1 or 2 PMMs, usually in a very flat hierarchy, or a single boss, with no room to really move up a proverbial ladder and into management experience. So what are ways that I can prepare myself now, so that if the time comes to apply for a Director position (either internally or at another company) that I can be considered even without recent people management experience? Are there any courses for this that are highly regarded in the management arena?

Every company I've worked for has had a crazy amount of work to do, and PMM inherently has a lot of asks and stakeholders they're working with. Is it possible to work 40-45 hours a week in PMM in B2B tech?!

Concerned it's somehow jeopardizing my job search (laid off a month ago in a bloodbath)

I'm researching the pros/cons of taking an industry solution focused career path in PMM (e.g. PMM specifically focusing on Banking/Financial Services, Insurance vertical;) Curious to hear opinions about this career path, progression, and opportunities. What are some of the shifts you've noticed in the PMM-world for career paths. For example, PLG and hybrid motion seems to be the latest career trends. I can see how specializing in a specific vertical provides some exclusivity and depth of knowledge that can be hard to come by (and potentially in high demand?). I can also see how the specialization would be an easy cut in an acquisition or if a company is struggling financially. Obviously, we do what we can to prove the value of our contributions and protect against this potential. Any thoughts or opinions? Also would love any suggestions for PMMs to research further who may have gone down this path.