‘Ownership and hands-on work drew me to product management’

Workhuman Product Manager Paul Carty Shares How He Switched from Engineering to Product—and Why It Was the Best Move of His Career

In a candid interview with Silicon Republic, Paul Carty, product manager at Workhuman, reveals how his love for problem-solving and desire for ownership pushed him to make a bold career move—from engineering into product management. His journey is packed with lessons for anyone considering a similar leap.

Carty, who graduated from DIT (now TUD) with a degree in Business Computing, began his tech career as a systems analyst before joining Workhuman. While he had strong technical chops and coding skills, he quickly realized that development wasn’t where his passion lay. Instead, he was drawn to the strategic, decision-making aspects of shaping product direction.

“I saw three paths: more development, engineering management, or product management,” Carty explains. “But what really excited me was the ownership and the ability to make a tangible difference for users.”

The transition wasn’t without its challenges. Moving internally from engineering to product, Carty found himself getting too deep into technical details—something he had to unlearn. “I had to step back and focus on the user experience,” he says. “Knowing you can dive deep doesn’t always mean you should.”

Networking played a huge role in his transition. Carty reached out to people already in product roles, validated his decision, and found a supportive community at Workhuman. He credits his first product manager for giving him the opportunity to prove himself, and ongoing support from peers and managers for helping him grow.

What does he love most about his job? “Diving into problems with my team and figuring out solutions together,” he says. “Collaborating exposes me to new perspectives and keeps me constantly engaged and evolving.”

Carty believes empathy and the ability to connect with people are his biggest strengths. He focuses on creating a safe, enjoyable environment for his squads, where trust and collaboration thrive. Recently learning he’s neurodivergent, he also brings a unique ability to hyperfocus and context-switch across multiple initiatives—a valuable skill in product management.

For those considering a similar move, Carty’s advice is clear: research the role, talk to people in the field, and understand the collaborative nature of the job. “It can feel isolating if you’re not prepared,” he warns. “Networking and communication are key.”

If he could tell his past self one thing, it would be to trust himself. “I set huge expectations, thinking I had to deliver perfectly from day one. But learning to trust my judgement and embrace the ‘fail fast’ mentality was key.”

Looking ahead, Carty sees AI as a major trend in the industry. But the real skill, he says, isn’t just using AI—it’s knowing how to apply it thoughtfully to solve real user problems. “Experimentation and the ability to clearly define problems and identify practical ways to increase value are essential.”

Paul Carty’s story is a powerful reminder that career growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, embracing collaboration, and trusting your instincts. Whether you’re an engineer eyeing product management or a product manager looking to level up, his journey offers valuable insights for navigating the ever-evolving tech landscape.

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