Why Choose MDPM
“I wanted to pursue the MDPM degree to apply my transferable skills from industrial design, to a product management role where I could lead projects with a broader business focus.
“Smith is a renowned institution for business studies, and the MDPM program stood out due to its unique offering of specialized product management education, which perfectly aligned with my career goals.
“What excited me most about Smith’s MDPM program is the hands-on capstone project, where we get to solve real problems for real clients. That practical experience was a major draw for me. The program is excellent for transitioning into product management, even without prior experience. Learning from my classmates was a great bonus!”
“My undergraduate degree was in Digital Communications. I began my career as a graphic designer and found myself in Product Marketing. The satisfaction of being involved in the ideation stages of a new product or feature set and bringing it to market to solve a real human problem or make people's lives easier is what motivates me. I am still a product marketer, but this program has helped me to begin to transition into a more GTM-focused role where I can speak the language of the Product team and be more involved in strategic roadmap discussions. The networking opportunities that this program provides, as well as the opportunity to apply what we've learned to a real-world problem and work with a dedicated client, stood out to me. The investment is so worth it! This program has unlocked opportunities for me in the product management field that I wouldn't have had otherwise.”
“Since my undergraduate days, I’ve been drawn to the bridge between business and technology. I look for ways to bring innovative tech solutions to real business problems. The program’s structure is tailored for balancing work with study, applying insights to our careers and bringing real-world questions into the classroom. Learning from classmates with diverse backgrounds and rich industry experience was an unexpected benefit that added to my experience. This program was the perfect next step to deepen my knowledge in this space while advancing my career. If you’re considering the program, I say go for it – this program will challenge you, inspire you, and equip you with the skills and experiences to succeed in digital product management.”
“I have been in the project management space for 15 years. Most recently as a Program Manager on large scale programs focused on building digital products. Those products enable data-powered insights, drive efficiencies for the business, and enhance customer satisfaction by improving the customer journeys. Understanding the product management lifecycle and key concepts has been helpful in my role as a leader of digital teams. For me the MDPM degree is a strategic enhancement of my professional skillset. The MDPM credentials will empower me to be bolder when I pursue the next challenge in my career.
“When I was considering options for my grad studies, I was looking for a mix of a well-recognized institution, innovative approach to learning and high quality of programs offered. Smith is the first Business School in North America to offer the Master of Digital Product Management, so it was an easy decision. This program is for people who are passionate or curious about product management, and for those who are ambitious and want to drive change in a digital world.”
“My recent career path has been embedded in Digital Transformation, from supporting several product teams during my tenure at Apple to consumer digital products at Suncor. Digital Product Management is an emerging field and I was seeking an accredited institution where I could learn industry best practices and approaches from experienced faculty. This opportunity at Smith to learn from industry leaders was extremely attractive and they’ve designed the program for students to balance their career, home and education commitments. I am most excited to learn from insiders that have in-depth experience in this space, increase my knowledge in the concepts and approaches to managing Digital Products as well as build a robust network of peers to move forward with in our career journey.”
“I currently practice as a product manager and have done so for more than 7 years in various industries - Banking/Financial Services & IT including Platform; Cloud/Data/Infrastructure; Growth Product Management and App Modernization tools. I chose to pursue the MDPM degree to learn the academic aspect of product management and digital transformation as I intend to become a leader in the digital transformation ecosystem. Smith at Queen’s has a renowned track record of producing industry leaders through their programs so it’s no surprise they are leading the charge in this space. Everything about this program excites me, learning from industry leading faculty, to collaborating with individuals who share my enthusiasm for product & digital transformation. I would encourage anyone considering the program to take the leap! There are always reasons why one should not do anything. However, in a rapidly evolving digital world, where businesses are struggling to understand what digital transformation means, the MDPM program equips you to stand out.”
“I started my career in the Financial sector, and it was at one of the top five Banks in Canada, where I had my first introduction to Product Management. As Product Owner on the Acquisition team, I was tasked with the transformation of the Bank’s online mortgage product offering. My business background gave me the ability to seamlessly transition into this role however what truly cemented my love for digital product management was exposure to new technologies and the creativity unlocked by taking the path uncharted. In this program I’m looking forward to meeting peers, faculty and future mentors from varied professional and academic backgrounds. My hope is to build a long-lasting network of peers and mentors with whom I can discuss new ideas, receive guidance and offer myself as a sounding board. I also look forward to paying this experience forward through the SmithConnect Mentorship Program.”
“Over the last 7 years, I’ve worked as a product manager at a multi-national pharmaceutical firm, leading different franchises as well as digitalization of several approaches. In today’s environment, digitalization has become an inevitable part of solutions to fulfill the demand of customers. Not only will this program foster my academic and practical capabilities to lead my firm to stand in good digital shape, but it will also help sculpt my leadership capabilities to achieve my desired digital goals. I’m excited to learn new business trends inside-out in reference to digitalization, review the strategy of successors and understand how to lead firms.”
“I started my career in journalism and transitioned to marketing, currently in the healthcare field. I’m interested in shifting my career path to work with NGOs and Charities. I chose to do the MDPM degree to ensure that I can bring creative and effective strategies in this area.
“I am excited to be in this program, the experience has been amazing! From my first point of contact and throughout, I have had the pleasure of meeting many like-minded and interesting people, professors, and students alike, across many sectors. Smith has a global reputation of academic excellence, and I felt that this unique program would be instrumental in providing me with the knowledge and tools to launch into the next phase of my career. I am impressed by the wide scope of coursework in this program, as the curriculum ranges from computer technology, to design, strategy, and ethics. The program covers many evolving technologies and practices which will give me the knowledge I need to make a difference.”
“I have always been passionate about discovering new ways to make life better for people, hence my journey as a creator, inventor, and product enthusiast. I have been in the product space for about 20 years, and I've held several titles before the current buzzword, ‘product manager.' I was looking to advance my career in business after founding a tech startup, when I discovered the MDPM program on LinkedIn. I immediately knew the program was for me, at this moment, for the purpose of succeeding in my business.
Smith School of Business' Master of Digital Product Management program is very inclusive. Though completely online, it is designed to accommodate our busy schedules without the feeling of disconnect or anxiety. In fact, the relationships that I built with my classmates and faculty members gave me confidence, as I felt supported, valued, and respected as a busy adult learner and was able to succeed in the completion of the program, thereby opening doors to wonderful career opportunities.”