I recently stumbled upon a Reddit post from someone who landed a job offer for a Product Data Owner role, but they’re hesitant about accepting it. With a master’s in machine learning and a bachelor’s in data science, they’re worried that this role might lead them away from technical work and make it harder to transition back into a data science or machine learning engineering role in the future.
I totally get it. It’s a common dilemma many of us face in the tech industry. Do we take a role that seems like a great opportunity, but might not align perfectly with our long-term technical goals?
## Is the Concern Valid?
I think it’s a valid concern. As a Product Data Owner, you’ll likely be focusing more on the business side of things, working closely with stakeholders, and overseeing data products. While this role can be rewarding, it might not give you the same level of hands-on technical experience you’d get as a data scientist or machine learning engineer.
However, it’s not a guarantee that you’ll lose your technical skills or forget how to code. You can still keep your skills sharp by working on personal projects, contributing to open-source projects, or even taking online courses to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field.
## Can You Pivot Back to a Technical Role?
Absolutely! Many people have successfully transitioned from non-technical roles back into technical ones. It might take some extra effort, but it’s definitely possible.
Here are a few tips to help you pivot back:
– **Stay connected to the technical community**: Attend conferences, meetups, and online forums to stay informed about the latest trends and network with other professionals in the field.
– **Keep learning and upskilling**: Take online courses, attend workshops, or read books to stay current with new technologies and techniques.
– **Highlight your transferable skills**: Even though you’re not doing technical work, you’re still developing valuable skills like project management, communication, and problem-solving. Make sure to highlight these skills when applying for technical roles in the future.
## Final Thought
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether the Product Data Owner role is right for you. If you do decide to take it, remember that it’s not a permanent detour from your technical goals. You can always pivot back into a technical role with some effort and planning.
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*Further reading: [What is a Data Product Owner?](https://www.datasciencehandbook.org/data-product-owner)*