Beginning a Career in Project Management

In addition to the above, begin networking with your local PMI Chapter, look at volunteer opportunities, and continue as an active member of this, or other, communities.

Same as for PMP certification holders Sherry. If you have project management experience then go for jobs that match your experience in projects. Many CAPM's get jobs as a project administrator, project co-ordinator, project support and even project manager in some companies and projects.

It depends on your experience!!! If you have experience, you can become PC or assistant..etc.

Congrats, Sherry! I'm looking forward to becoming CAPM certified this winter, too--so excited!

While I'm not sure what your resume looks like as it's not posted here, so I can't speak to your demonstrable skills or the roles of your PMI involvement, but if you don't have any of your projects and the end results on your resume (even if only minimal), that might be a starting point, right?

The CAPM credential is, as you said, a great way to show you're serious about understanding the PM methodology and theory, but applying the methodology is where it counts (I imagine--bait gets the bite). And of course applying in a field where either you have networked colleagues or even better--transferrable skills-will also be of use, no?

All in all, landing the job seems to boil down to standard job-hunt/network regimen, which is a project in itself--so let me be the first to wish you happy planning and the best of luck in applying those PM skills with your new career path!

I'm in Heavy Highway Construction, so if you don't have a degree in Civil Engineering, you're going to be assisting with the general matters--Project Administration, in essence. My years of office administration, the myriad skills that years in property management confer, and general computer skills were the most compelling and translatable skills. Honing them to what you're applying for is key though, right?

With your Graphic Design background, I imagine that shows you have an eye for aesthetics & design on an executive level, but more importantly you can learn and use proprietary software--not to mention your ability to self-manage to meet tight deadlines and work within budgets. Have you considered working with a professional resume writer to help you identify and configure the skillset you intent to put to work?

I read a couple of books to revamp mine, but even now it requires an overhaul. Another day, another project!

Thank you for your well-wishes--I hope it all works out for the both of us!