Too busy to listen to the full episode? Here's the short version — Jing Xuan's unconventional path from communications student to product intern to UX designer, and what she learned about curiosity, resourcefulness, and knowing when to explore.

Product management has a reputation for being the "Swiss Army knife" role in tech — versatile enough to let you jump between fields, industries, and even careers that don't traditionally align with product thinking. But what does that journey actually look like when you're starting from scratch, without a technical background, and figuring things out as you go?

In this episode of Lorong Product, we sat down with Jing Xuan, a UX Designer at GovTech Singapore who contributes to digital services for public good. Before landing in UX, Jing Xuan cut her teeth in product-oriented roles and student initiatives — including co-founding the publicity efforts at NUS Product Club, where she designed the banner, website, and brand aesthetic many of us recognise today.

Her journey wasn't linear. She studied Communications and New Media, interned as a product manager at MatchHub and Love Bonito Group, and eventually found her way into UX design. Along the way, she learned how to navigate technical environments, use AI as a learning tool, and apply product thinking to design work.

Here's what stood out.

1. Product Management as a Gateway, Not a Destination 

Jing Xuan didn't start university knowing she wanted to be a product manager. She knew she was interested in UX design — but without a portfolio, breaking into the field felt nearly impossible.

So she took a different route: an experiential internship at MatchHub, where she got brief introductions to multiple roles. It was there that a mentor noticed her strengths and suggested she try product management in her next internship.

That suggestion changed everything.

"I started to learn more about product management during the internship. Stuff like how to write user requirements, how to conduct user interviews, how to do competitor research. I think that really helped me to start my product management journey."

Product management became her entry point — not because it was her dream role, but because it gave her room to explore, build skills, and eventually realise what she actually wanted to do.

2. You Don't Need a Technical Degree to Succeed in Product — But You Do Need Curiosity 

One of the most common hesitations people have about product management is this: "I'm not technical enough."

Jing Xuan came from a Communications and New Media background. And yes, there was a learning curve. But she also learned something important early on:

You don't need to know everything. You just need to know enough to get the job done.

She also shared a practical hack she picked up from a senior PM: use AI to explain technical terms through metaphors. Instead of trying to memorise jargon, she'd ask AI to visualise concepts in ways that made sense to her.

But beyond tools and hacks, the foundation was always curiosity. Asking why decisions were made a certain way. Using frameworks like the five Ws. Never assuming she already knew the answer.

"You always have to be curious about why some decisions are made a certain way and always ask why. I think that has been consistently utilised throughout all the different products I've worked on."

4. The Real Skillset? Being Resourceful and Taking Initiative

When asked what mindset or traits successful UX designers share, Jing Xuan didn't point to creativity or technical skill. She pointed to something more fundamental: resourcefulness and initiative.

"Having the initiative and trying to be resourceful is very important. Finding a network to help you solve challenges. Finding a mentor to help you solve these challenges — I think that was really useful."

She also emphasised keeping up with evolving tools — especially AI. Whether it's Claude, Figma's AI features, or other emerging tools, designers (and PMs) need to stay adaptable.

But resourcefulness isn't just about tools. It's also about identifying gaps during internships, even when you're not assigned critical tasks. It's about asking more questions. It's about using downtime as an opportunity to understand why certain decisions were made.

5. School Projects Actually Matter (If You Put in the Effort)

One of the most practical pieces of advice Jing Xuan shared was this: don't underestimate school projects.

She specifically highlighted two courses that helped her build a strong UX portfolio:

• CS3240 Interaction Design

• NM4259 Mobile Interaction Design

These courses gave her both theory knowledge (useful in interviews and case studies) and practical outputs (portfolio pieces she could show employers).

Beyond coursework, side projects also signal passion and initiative — especially in competitive fields like UX and product management.

6. Product Court: Defending Instagram and LinkedIn

In a fun new game segment called Product Court, Jing Xuan had to defend two popular platforms — Instagram and LinkedIn — against charges related to engagement tactics, creator pressures, and algorithm-driven design.

Instagram: Not Guilty

Jing Xuan defended Instagram by highlighting its timely market entry (when mobile cameras became powerful), strategic use of influencers to drive creator engagement, and constant adaptation to competitors like TikTok (Reels).

She also pointed out intentional design choices — like the repositioning of DMs and the Create button — to encourage specific user behaviours.

LinkedIn: Not Guilty

For LinkedIn, Jing Xuan praised its value as a networking tool and a platform for accessible professional learning — especially through LinkedIn influencers who share legitimate expertise.

"You can look at your hiring manager, you can look at people in the organization, and you can reach out to them earlier to ask questions. These are all very good things that were very difficult to do before LinkedIn started."

7. Final Advice: Be Courageous, Make Mistakes, and Keep an Open Mind

When asked for one practical piece of advice for students entering their careers, Jing Xuan didn't offer a framework or a checklist. She offered something simpler — and more important:

"Be courageous. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. As someone who's early on in the career, you'll make a lot of mistakes, but actually from those mistakes, those are the ones that I learned the most from. If your team is good, they'll be really accepting of it, and it's a growth opportunity for you."

For aspiring product-driven UX designers, she recommended focusing on stakeholder management — presenting data and insights in ways that maintain relationships and achieve success metrics.

For user-centric product managers, her advice was to ground yourself in user requirements — always thinking about jobs to be done and user stories, rather than jumping straight to features.

Takeaways

Jing Xuan's journey is a reminder that careers in product and design don't have to be linear. You can start in product and move to design. You can start in design and bring product thinking with you. What matters is curiosity, resourcefulness, and a willingness to explore.

Her story also challenges the myth that you need a technical degree to succeed in product management. You don't. But you do need to ask why, stay adaptable, and care deeply about the people and problems you're solving for.

Whether you're a comms major wondering if product is for you, or a product intern considering UX, Jing Xuan's path shows that the best career moves are often the ones you didn't plan — but were brave enough to take.

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