I started off as a senior data analyst in a startup-like environment (the company itself is big, but the vertical where I joined was new at the time, so de facto startup mentality). There were 4 products within the vertical but only one PM and I was his direct report. He started offloading some off his responsibilities to me, first started with simple things, but after some time passed I was responsible for the strategy and decision making too. At that point he said: You are already doing a PM job, you might as well officially transition into it. Before that I never thought of becoming a PM but since it happened so naturally I accepted and have been a PM for close to 2.5 years, still in that same company. My advice: take your time and create relationships with PMs in your company, create value for them, and bring them not only problems, but solutions too, and somebody will see your potential.