In the latest episode of our podcast, the hosts Prabhanjan, Niraj, and Roopak dive into a dynamic and engaging discussion around the evolving landscape of job titles within the tech and product sectors. The conversation begins with an exploration of their current roles, shedding light on the responsibilities that come with their titles and how these align with the work they actually do.
Prabhanjan, identifying as a Product Owner/Product Manager at Equal Experts, sparks the discussion by reflecting on the sometimes humorous disparity between job titles and actual job content. He highlights the fluid nature of roles in the tech industry, where what you’re called can range significantly from what you’re tasked with. The conversation then turns to Niraj, who shares his experiences as the Head of Web Apps at Travelopia, discussing the importance of leadership in technology direction and project management within his team.
Roopak, taking on the role of Engineering Lead at Parallel/Aperture, delves into the distinctions between his title and his hands-on work in engineering and decision-making. This opens up a broader conversation about the sometimes arbitrary nature of job titles and the impact they have on professional identity and career progression.
The trio navigates through various perspectives on titles, from their necessity in facilitating external perceptions of authority and expertise to their potential limitations in accurately reflecting one’s role and contributions within an organization. They ponder whether titles empower professionals or box them into predefined expectations, questioning the balance between pursuing titles and focusing on solving real-world problems.
As they wrap up, the discussion circles back to the idea that titles, while significant for external validation and career mobility, should not overshadow the essence of the work being done and the problems being solved. The episode concludes on a reflective note, with the hosts agreeing that the pursuit of meaningful work, rather than titles, should be the driving force in one’s career.
For those interested in the nuances of professional titles in the tech and product landscape, this episode offers a candid and thoughtful exploration, emphasizing the importance of aligning job roles with actual responsibilities and the pursuit of impactful work over titles. Tune in to gain insights into how these professionals navigate their careers and the advice they offer to others in the field. Don’t forget to check out the episode on Spotify to dive deeper into this engaging discussion.