The bicycle industry is going through a transformation with new technology, off-grid living and more. More people are getting into the field as it’s becoming increasingly interesting to do so. Here’s how you can get employed in this exciting time of growth and change.
The “bicycle industry jobs remote” is a job that requires you to work remotely. You will be able to use your skills and knowledge in the bicycle industry.
We’re back with another installment of our So You Want My Job series, in which we speak with guys who work in coveted positions and ask them about the realities of their employment as well as tips on how men might achieve their goals.
We have an interview with Luke Elrath today. Mr. Elrath is the product manager at Breezer Bicycles, where he is in charge of both design and marketing.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself (e.g., where do you come from?). What is your age? Describe your job, including how long you’ve been doing it, and so on.
I grew up 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. I came to Philadelphia to study electrical engineering at Temple University. I’m a 32-year-old woman. After graduation, I worked for four years in the engineering business, creating airport lighting and navigation systems. Despite the fact that the job was intriguing and hard, my first passion was always bicycles.
As the Breezer product manager, I’m responsible for researching the industry, choosing the models and designs we want for each year’s offerings, and working directly with Joe Breeze, the brand’s founder and one of the mountain bike’s innovators. We choose frame types, components, and graphics for the bikes together. Then I manage bike production with our Asian and European manufacturing partners.
2. What inspired you to pursue a career as a bicycle product manager? When did you realize you wanted to do it?
I’d always liked bikes, ever since I was a youngster and used to jump my Schwinn BMX bike off a plywood ramp in the backyard. The majority of my leisure time was spent tinkering with bikes, riding bikes, and reading about bikes. When I got a job 5 miles from home, I had already constructed my perfect commuter bike out of an old steel frame. Despite the fact that I disliked the job, I enjoyed biking to work every day. It was great to be free of traffic, gas prices, and car maintenance bills!
I sent a résumé without seeing it since I heard from a friend that the international headquarters for a large bicycle company was in Philadelphia. That week, I was called in for an interview, and a conversation ensued, finally landing me the role as Product Manager for Transportation and Utility Bicycles.
3. How should a guy prepare for a career as a bicycle product manager? What should he study, and what experiences and talents should he pursue?
Industrial design, materials science, mechanical engineering, and to a lesser extent biomechanics are the areas to study that will give a guy an edge in bicycle design. In this field, I’ve discovered that my peers come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some were professional racers, some worked as technicians at bike stores, while yet others began their careers in sales. Passion runs through all of the folks I’ve met in this industry. Few individuals enter this world with the intention of just making a livelihood. It’s about getting out of bed every morning enthusiastic to play, create, and share your passion for riding a bike with others.
4. How difficult is it to get a position as a bicycle product manager? There are probably only as many as there are bike businesses.
The “vets” of the bicycle business seem to cycle through the large bike firms, resulting in fierce rivalry. Most individuals in the business know each other, have worked with a friend of a friend, and so on. There is a lot of self-instruction and on-the-job training since there isn’t a university degree expressly for this topic. Be a fast learner and a good listener.
5. You not only design motorcycles, but you also promote them. Which component of your work do you prefer?
This is my first year in the role, and I’ve spent a lot of time studying about design and product development. Budget constraints have forced us to be creative in our search for non-traditional venues to spread the news about Breezer. My marketing efforts have centered on cultivating partnerships with bloggers, websites, and journalists that write about bicycles, as well as other topics that may reach an audience interested in our bikes.
With my engineering background, I’d have to say that the technical parts of design and product development are my favorites.
6. What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job?
Every day and every experience is shared with like-minded, committed cyclists. The bonuses aren’t bad, either: every time I fly to Asia, I have a beautiful carbon fiber road bike waiting for me at the hotel. Rides in the mountains outside of Taichung City in the morning are spectacular.
7. What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
Because I spend so much time away from home for factory visits, trade events, and marketing, I have less time to spend with my wonderful wife. The nicest vacations have been the ones when she accompanies me, but they have been few and far between.
8. How do you strike a balance between job, family, and personal life?
During extended periods of travel, daily calls to my wife are a terrific way to stay connected. Even while working from home, the hours may be long and demanding, so it’s important for my wife and myself to take time to “leave it all behind” now and again. Sometimes it’s a special night out at a great restaurant, and other times it’s a Sunday morning spent riding our vintage tandem cycle down the river’s bike path.
9. What is the most common misunderstanding about your job?
When I tell people about my profession, they frequently anticipate all the high-tech, expensive gadgets I have to play with all day. While part of it is true, the majority of my day may be spent on a spreadsheet determining which tires I can utilize to fulfill our budget requirements. It’s a fact of life in a competitive market: no matter how awesome your bike appears, it all boils down to money for most dealers and customers. Is your bike less expensive than the other’s? All of the job’s concessions are based on the bottom line.
10. Do you have any other advice, ideas, or stories to share?
To succeed in this field, you must make some big sacrifices, but the benefits may be amazing. On the 15th day of a recent journey overseas, I found myself atop Five Finger Mountain above Taipei, about to begin a descent at speeds of above 40 mph. I was doing what I love in a lovely, exotic location as the sun was just rising and burning away the mist in the valleys below.
The “outdoor industry jobs” is a popular career choice. The outdoor industry has many opportunities for those who want to work in the field. It can be challenging, but it’s also rewarding.
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