Project Management

Confessions of a First-Time Project Management Volunteer

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By Yasmina Khelifi, PMP

Are you considering volunteering for a professional association or within your corporate organization? Almost two years ago, I did for the first time by joining the PMI France and PMI United Arab Emirates (UAE) Chapters—and I haven’t looked back since. What a transformational journey! Volunteering has helped me sharpen my leadership skills, unleash my creativity and broaden my professional network.

Whether you’re thinking about becoming a first-time volunteer or hoping to start volunteering again, here are some great benefits of giving your time to a larger project:

1. Volunteer to hone your project leadership skills

In November 2018, I joined the PMI France Chapter’s marketing communications team to contribute to an internal newsletter. Volunteering allowed me to interact with people from different cultures, countries, backgrounds, education levels, ages and professional experiences. I was able to collaborate with a diverse group of people, which is essential for any project leader.

Volunteering has opened many new doors:

  • I have discovered new ways of working.
  • I have found new energy and passion for projects.
  • I have learned how to better communicate with people from different backgrounds.
  • I have sharpened my writing skills in French and English, and learned how to be more concise in my communications.
  • I have strengthened my skills in virtual project management, a key pillar in our globalized world.

2. Volunteer to experiment in a safe environment

Volunteering has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and given me the confidence to experiment in new areas:

  • For the first time, I presented a webinar about leadership skills for the PMI UAE Chapter in collaboration with a friend there. Despite the bad sound during the presentation, I enjoyed the great learning experience, especially in preparing the slides, revising and rehearsing.
  • For the first time, I managed social network posts and created accompanying visuals.

3. Volunteer to expand your professional network

Volunteering has helped me to broaden my perspectives and network outside of my enterprise. Having worked almost exclusively in an international environment, I wanted to expand my network more in France. Surprisingly, thanks to the PMI volunteers’ network, I ended up meeting new people within my own company! I now belong to a worldwide and strong project management community: We support each other during this tough time.

Looking back on this incredible journey, I cherish the gifts I’ve received. Volunteering provides an invaluable source of learning and growth.

Leave a comment below sharing how volunteering has benefited your project teams or your project leadership abilities.


Posted by Yasmina Khelifi on: April 17, 2020 01:00 PM | Permalink

Comments (27)

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Eduin Fernando Valdes Alvarado Project Manager| F y F Fabricamos Futuro Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia
Thanks for sharing

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Drew Craig Sr. Agile & Product Coach| Vanguard Philadelphia, Pa, United States
Fantastic. Sounds like amazing experiences. Glad you came by to share with us.

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Eduard Hernandez
Community Champion
Product Operations Program Manager Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Yasmina, I can relate to the points listed in your post. I joined the Dutch chapter a few months ago and my only regret is that I did not do it earlier.

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Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Yasmina

I couldn’t agree more with you. Great points, I hear you loud and clear.

RK

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Anh Vu Project Manager| Harveynash Hanoi, Hanoi, Viet Nam
wonderful experience, I will look for a change to volunteer with Vietnam chapter also,

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi Eduin Fernando thank you for your comment!

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi Andrew, thank you so much for your kind comment. Have a nice day!

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi Eduard, thank you for your comment and glad we agree!!

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi Rami, thank you for your awesome comment!

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi Anh Vu, you made my day! I wish you good luck in PMI Vietnam!

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S. Gino Ariel AKOHA Functional Manager| ESMT Dakar, Senegal
Thanks for sharing

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi S. Gino Ariel, thank you for having taken time to read my post.

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Obiajulum Omoregie Head, Project Management Capability Building| Nawah Energy Company Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Great Share. Volunteering has been a major influence on my career as well. Thanks for your article.

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi Obi thank you for your kind comment! Glad you are an active volunteer also!

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Graeme Morgan Project Manager| Digibloc IT Strategies Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
Thanks for this information Yasmina, I am expanding my volunteer efforts within PMI and my local chapter....sharing your experiences gives me motivation to do more!

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi Graeme, very happy to read my post was useful to you! Yes volunteering requires efforts and time but this is very rewarding! Good luck! Stay safe, Yasmina

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Win Myat Aung Senior Project Manager| None Yangon, Hlaing Township, Myanmar
Thanks for sharing. Your post is rich with information, knowledge and encouragement.

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi Win Myat, thank you for your kind comment and I am very glad that it is useful to you! Stay safe! Yasmina

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Abolfazl Yousefi Darestani Manager, Quality and Continuous Improvement| Hörmann-TNR Industrial Doors Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Thanks for sharing

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Yasmina Khelifi Senior Project Manager Paris, France
Hi Abolfazi, thank you for your kind feedback! Stay safe.

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