Chandralekha Motati graduated from BITS Pilani (Hyderabad, '12) with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering. She was a part of the first BITS Hyderabad batch. She holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Now a Product Manager at YouTube after six years at Google, Ms. Motati shared how she went from tech roles to product management, highlighting how exploring various fields led her to her true passion.

Q 1. Please give us a brief introduction to what your role as a product manager in YouTube entails?

Product management varies based on the type of product and its stage of development, but fundamentally, it's about representing the voice of the user and ensuring the product provides value to them. On a day-to-day basis, I focus on actual execution—negotiating with engineering managers, constantly testing the product, and making sure what we envisioned and planned as a team is being built. Miscommunication can happen, and there are always constraints with respect to design and engineering, but the goal is to meet the end result despite these challenges.

Q 2. After graduating from BITS, you worked in Hyderabad for 4 years before moving abroad. What inspired this move, and what was the change like for you?

Moving abroad was a significant decision. It took a while to figure out if I wanted to make that move. There are pros and cons to both staying in India and moving abroad. I learned a lot after moving to the US—the culture, the people, and the way business is operated are different. It boils down to what you are looking for in terms of environment, career path, and the kind of products you want to work on. There's no specific answer, and the decision is guided more by personal and professional aspirations.

Q 3. How did you handle the transition from working in software to focusing on product management?

When I started my journey, product management roles were not as common. I initially did both development work and design, thinking every engineer did this. Over time, I realized there are distinct roles for these tasks. I became curious about different roles within the company and spent time with analysts and content managers. This curiosity led me to realize that I enjoyed product management more because it combined technology, problem-solving, and significant interaction with people. I discovered that I preferred working with people to working with machines. After a few years in software development, I transitioned to product management as it allowed me to engage with customers, understand their challenges, and develop solutions.

Q 4. You had a paper published in the core computer science domain. Did that help with the MBA application process?

Publishing a paper taught me a lot about project management, understanding constraints, and collaboration. These experiences were valuable during MBA interviews as they showed my ability to handle challenges, conflicts, and disagreements. It wasn't the paper itself, but the skills I gained from the process that were beneficial.

Q 5. You have a 10/10 CGPA, which is impressive! Alongside this, you were involved in different activities. How did you maintain such grades alongside the extracurriculars you pursued?

Balancing academics and extracurriculars required a lot of time management and prioritization. Choosing the right courses and professors, and managing activities helped me to grow not just academically but personally as well. It was challenging, but it taught me the importance of balancing different aspects of life. 

Q 6. How would you advise us as students of BITS to utilize our time here? Is there anything you regret not being able to do that you’d wish for us to try?

Be curious and try your hand at everything. Build your decision-making capability intentionally. Whether it's about your career or personal life, there will be instances where you’ll need to make significant decisions. Use your time at BITS to understand how you make these decisions—emotionally or logically—and see what works best for you.

Q 7. What is one key lesson from your time at BITS that you still apply in your life today?

One key lesson is the importance of collaboration and understanding different perspectives. The experiences at BITS, whether in team projects or extracurricular activities, taught me how to handle conflicts and bring out the best in teams. This has been invaluable in my career, especially in product management where collaboration is crucial.

Q 8. Did the BITS alumni network help you in your career?

Absolutely. The BITS alumni network is a strong support system. The bonds you form at BITS are unique and help shape your perspective. Staying in touch with alumni has been beneficial, providing opportunities for collaboration and support in various parts of the world.