Skills over titles: How to build a career in Product Marketing, with Michelle Zak

How do you build a career when the path isn’t clear? Michelle Zak’s journey from fine arts and design to product marketing leadership is anything but traditional.

And that’s exactly why it works.

In this conversation, Michelle shares the lessons she’s learned navigating startups, shifting industries, and carving out a role that often looks different from company to company.

From “job crafting” to breaking into new industries without prior experience, she highlights the skills and mindset that helped her stand out in a tough job market.

→ Why design thinking is a natural foundation for product marketing

→ The power of “job crafting” and how to use it at any stage of your career

→ Tips for breaking into new industries without direct experience

→ What to expect when moving from late-stage to early-stage startups

→ Why product marketing is always “more than you think”