A Product Manager (PM) is your strategic partner during your internship, helping bridge the gap between technical implementation and user needs. They're experts at understanding customer problems, defining product requirements, and ensuring what gets built delivers real value.
As an intern, you'll work closely with your PM to shape and execute your project. They'll help you validate ideas, connect with users, and measure impact. Think of them as your guide to building the right thing, while you focus on building it right.
The table below shows common scenarios you'll encounter and how to best collaborate with your PM. For each type of question or challenge, you'll see what support to expect from them and how you can prepare to make the most of their time.
| Your Ask | How the PM Can Help | Your Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| I have a rough product idea—does it make sense? | Act as a sounding board: ask clarifying questions, point out gaps, suggest tweaks. | Come with a one-page problem statement or sketch. |
| Which user problems should I tackle first? | Share prioritization frameworks (RICE, MoSCoW) and walk through examples. | Gather any user data or initial interview notes you have. |
| How should I talk to customers? | Advise on user-interview techniques: question phrasing, bias avoidance, recruiting. | Draft your interview script and target demographics. |
| Is my prototype intuitive? | Provide targeted UX feedback: flow, clarity, and alignment with goals. | Bring clickable mockups or screenshots with clear tasks. |
| How will I know if this is working? | Help you define measurable success metrics and data sources. | Propose draft metrics (e.g., activation rate, task completion). |
| What's the best way to present my findings? | Guide on storytelling structure and stakeholder communication. | Prepare initial data analysis and key insights. |