The Power of Volunteering: Sharing and Supporting Each Other

Yasmina Khelifi is a French project manager with 3 PMI certifications. She has been working in an international environment for more than 20 years. Yasmina can speak 6 languages and has an MSc in Mobile Telecommunications. She is a passionate PMI volunteer. Yasmina's new co-authored book 'The Volunteering Journey to Project Leadership' (CRC Press). is now available. Connect with her to continue the conversation.

  Career Development  

In September of 2018, I volunteered for the first time in my life—which I chronicled in my post “Confessions of a First-Time Project Management Volunteer.”

Let’s be honest: The reasons why I took the plunge are a mix of altruistic and personal ones. For sure, I wanted to share my experiences to help others not fall into the same traps. I wanted to inspire my peers, and help them grow. I also needed to have a better work/life balance. On a more pragmatic side, I wanted to try out volunteering and have a line in my CV.

Looking back, this three-year volunteering journey is the best decision I have ever made and brings a range of emotions. It also brings with it some key benefits…

1. Sharing knowledge: Like many of you, I have answered emails from people I’ve never met (and perhaps will never meet). I have written blogs, presented webinars, mentored newcomers and shared my opinions on articles through comments. I have asked questions in social media groups, and in private messages.

Surprisingly (at least to me at first), I would get answers, a nudge, even a new contact. I’m always amazed at the magical formula that project management volunteering creates.

For example, I took part in a webinar organized by Women@PMI Germany, and I interacted with one of the participants. Then I asked her if she wanted to present a webinar …

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