How to get your first B2B Product Design role

Many designers aspire to be strong generalists or full-stack designers. They may have this goal because they enjoy all aspects of the design process, they believe it will increase their chance of landing a job, or because they come from an engineering background and want to retain coding skills. All of these are solid reasons. However, some of our closest cross-functional partners are encroaching into the design lane via AI capabilities and collaborative design tools. And who can blame them? But, are you doing all you can to stay relevant, compete, and expand your capabilities for the rapidly evolving landscape? Some of the recommendations here are not new, but worthy of revisiting with a fresh lens.

Are you advocating for yourself in your current position, and in your career? How are you “managing up”? Is Management for you? How do you run your team with both authenticity and effectiveness? What makes a really great 1×1? In this talk, you’ll gain access to the best practices from veteran UX leader – Alison Gretz, ACC. Learn Alison’s blueprint for mid-year advocacy ahead of annual reviews, what goes on behind the scenes of promotions, and how to operate as a UX leader, who is also a good human. Alison will pull back the curtain on some successes and failures that rising leaders should know. Walk away with actionable plays for rising in your career and beta access to the Good Manager OS created for Design Leaders.

This session delves into the critical role networking plays in today's professional world, highlighting its importance for business professionals, students, and job seekers alike. Participants will explore the benefits of networking, including career advancement, knowledge sharing, and building a robust support system. The session provides practical tips and strategies for effective online, in-person, and email networking, emphasizing the value of quality connections over quantity. The session concludes with a recap of key insights and a motivational call to action.

What is unique about product leadership in AI and shipping AI-powered products? How is being a product leader different when you're shipping AI products? How do you train AI PMs? And how does AI research fit in the picture? This session will focus on these and other questions about product leadership in the domain of AI and automation products, with a specific focus on how to build and grow a career as an AI product leader.