A data driven approach helps organizations understand the needs and pain points of their customers and deliver solutions that are innovative, accessible, and secure.

Poornima Muthukumar, our next pathbreaker, Senior Technical Product Manager at Microsoft (Redmond, Washington), defines the vision, strategy and roadmap for the products and services that empower millions of users to achieve more with Microsoft 365 Business Subscription.

Poornima talks to  Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about one of her most rewarding experiences participating in the Microsoft Global Hackathon(2016) in the Artificial Intelligence and Computational Network Category which not only got their team a 2nd place but also 4 patents at Microsoft in this field.

For students, though it is important to have clear goals and plans to achieve them, always learn to adapt to the needs of the real world !

Poornima, Your background?

I have a diverse and rich background that has shaped my personality and career goals. I was born in Mumbai and later moved to Chennai, where I finished my high school education at the DAV school, Gill Nagar. I excelled academically and secured the 6th rank in TamilNadu state in my 12th Board Exams. My parents were very supportive of my ambitions and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. My mother was a homemaker and my father worked as a lab chemist in the offshore oil field. I enjoyed playing board games with my friends and family, which fostered my competitive spirit. I also developed a passion for running and athletics, which I still maintain today. Running has helped me improve my mental resilience and stamina. I have completed two half marathons so far.

What did you do for graduation/post graduation?

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the National University of Singapore, where I learned both Software and Hardware skills. However, I was more interested in software because I enjoyed programming and solving complex problems with logic. I worked in the industry for 6 years after graduating and then decided to pursue my Master’s Degree in Data Science at the University of Washington. I did this as a part-time program while also working at Microsoft, which generously paid for most of my master’s tuition fee. I am very thankful to Microsoft for this opportunity.

What were some of the drivers that influenced me to pursue such an offbeat, unconventional and cool career?

My undergraduate degree in computer engineering from the National University of Singapore was not my original plan. I had applied for chemical engineering, but I did not get admitted. However, I was happy to accept my second choice, as I was curious about the emerging field of computing. My mom had encouraged me to apply to NUS, as she had heard good things about it from a relative. She wanted me to have a global perspective and a quality education.

There was an online application process for getting into NUS and I had to submit my 12th standard board exam grades once they were out. There was no special interview process to get in back then apart from exam results and the application which includes – SOP,  extra-curricular activities, achievements etc. 

 I faced many challenges in my first year, as I had no prior experience with programming or computers. I felt like I did not belong and that I was falling behind my peers. But I did not give up and I kept practicing and learning from my mistakes. Gradually, I became more confident and proficient in coding.  I was also fortunate to have a supportive network of friends who helped me along the way. They were always there for me, whether it was to share notes or solve problems together. 

How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path

I started my career with Microsoft Ireland Research Center where I worked for 2 years as a Software Engineer in the Office App Store Team. Microsoft App Store is a platform that allows users to discover, download and update various applications for Windows devices. It is one of the largest and most popular app stores in the world, with over 669,000 apps available and more than 2.5 billion downloads per month. I was a software engineer in the Office App Store team, where I built a platform that enabled Admins to install Applications for various Office Products, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, for all the users in their organization.

In 2016, I moved to Redmond and worked with the Office Release and Delivery Experience Team for 5 years as a Senior Software Engineer. Office is one of the most successful products with roughly 250M million monthly active users and continues to be one of the most profitable businesses for Microsoft. As a Senior Software Engineer, I owned the E2E release and delivery pipeline for Office. I was a project lead in my team and had to wear several hats, from defining the long term strategy, to mentoring engineers in the team, to managing project risks, to communicating to leadership teams along with performing data analysis and driving metrics and OKRs, writing detailed engineering design documents keeping consistency, availability, reliability and performance goals in mind and then getting into the implementation stage.

As a Senior Software Engineer I got the opportunity to work with petabytes of office telemetry data and that is when I realized the power of Big Data and how it can be used to drive business growth. Hence I decided to pursue a master’s degree in Data Science from the University of Washington. This further motivated me to make my transition into the PM role.

In 2022, I pivoted my career as a Senior Product Manager at Microsoft where I leverage my technical and data science background to build data driven products. As a Product Manager, I am responsible for defining the vision and strategy of Business Assist for Microsoft 365 which empowers small businesses to leverage Microsoft Support to make the most of their M365 Subscription.  As a Product Manager I get to manage the work of other engineers, researchers, and designers, and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions that enhance user experience and satisfaction.

How did you get your first break? 

My internship in Singapore at Goldman Sachs was my first break in the software industry. I worked on developing software solutions for banking systems and capital markets. It was not easy to get an internship as an undergraduate with no work experience. I had to rely on my interview skills and my enthusiasm for the company. I studied hard for the interviews and did my best during the internship. My efforts paid off when I was offered a full-time job after I graduated.

Microsoft also came to campus for hiring candidates and I decided to apply and interview for the same. Through this, I got my full-time offer with Microsoft. 

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

My career journey has taken me across five different countries: India, Singapore, New York, Ireland and Seattle. Each relocation brought its own challenges and uncertainties. I had to adapt to new cultures, build new networks, and seek new opportunities for my professional development. However, I also gained a lot from these experiences. I developed the ability to adjust to different situations and environments, and to communicate and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, which are crucial skills for a leader. I also learned how to deal with ambiguity and uncertainty, which are common in data science when working with large datasets and exploring the unknown potential of what you can do with them.

Where do you work now?

I work as a Senior Technical Product Manager in the Microsoft 365 team. My role is to define the vision, strategy and roadmap for the products and services that empower millions of users to achieve more with Microsoft 365 Business Subscription. I solve problems such as how to improve the user experience, how to increase the adoption and retention of the products, and how to align with the business goals and priorities of Microsoft. 

What are the skills required for your role? How did you acquire them?

To be successful in this job, I need skills such as product management, user research, data analysis, communication, collaboration and leadership. I acquired these skills through a combination of formal education, on-the-job training, self-learning and mentorship. 

What is a typical day like?

A typical day for me involves meeting with various stakeholders such as engineers, designers, marketers, customers and partners to discuss the product requirements, feedback, issues and opportunities. I also spend time reviewing the data and metrics to measure the performance and impact of the products. I also work on creating and updating the product documents such as user stories, specifications, roadmaps and presentations. 

What I love about this job is that I get to work on products that make a difference in people’s lives and work. I enjoy being part of a diverse and talented team that shares a common vision and passion for Microsoft 365. I also appreciate the opportunities to learn new things, challenge myself and grow as a professional.

How does your work benefit society?

I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience with others and contributing to the community. That’s why I mentored and volunteered at the Product Management Center at the University of Washington Foster School of Business. I love product management and I want to help others succeed in this field. As an Ambassador for the Women in Data Science Puget Sound Community, I have been promoting and supporting the participation of women in data science in the Seattle area.

As a Senior Product Manager at Microsoft in the Microsoft 365 Team, I work on creating and improving products that empower people and organizations to achieve more. I collaborate with engineers, designers, researchers, and other stakeholders to understand the needs and pain points of our customers and deliver solutions that are innovative, accessible, and secure. I also communicate the vision and value proposition of our products to internal and external audiences, such as executives, partners, and media. My work benefits society by enabling millions of users around the world to communicate, collaborate, learn, and create with Microsoft 365 tools and services.

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!

One of the most rewarding experiences of my career was participating in the Microsoft Global Hackathon in 2016. My team and I competed in the Artificial Intelligence and Computational Network Category and we won the second prize. Our project was a system that uses Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence to analyze software bugs and evaluate the risk of software changes. Based on the risk assessment, the system can recommend whether to commit or reject a software change. This can help developers avoid introducing new errors or breaking existing functionality. I contributed to the design and implementation of the Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence components of the system. As a result of this work, I have 4 patents at Microsoft in this field.

Your advice to students based on your experience?

Based on my experience, I would advise students to pursue their passions and interests, but also to balance them with practical skills and knowledge. I think it is important to have a clear goal and a plan for achieving it, but also to be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances. I would also encourage students to seek feedback and mentorship from others, but also to develop their own critical thinking and self-reflection abilities. Finally, I would urge students to enjoy the learning process and to celebrate their achievements, but also to challenge themselves and to learn from their failures.

Future Plans? 

My future plans include leading a team of product managers and engineers, collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders, and driving innovation and growth in the data domain. In five years, I see myself as a Leader in Product Management, overseeing multiple product lines and shaping the vision and strategy for data products.