Veronica ProctorPortfolio Manager| Kroger Technology & DigitalCincinnati, Oh, United States
I have the credentials and experience as an IT Project Manager, however, I'm looking for a career change. Are there jobs other than Project Manager that use the same or similar education and experience? Saving Changes...
Ashleigh Kennett-SmithICT Project Manager| Australian Red Cross LifebloodAdelaide, South Australia, Australia
Interesting question for a PM forum ;)
I'd first ask:
- what is it that is driving you to transition out?
- what different / new / additional motivating factors, incentives etc are you seeking?
- is it simply that PM positions are proving difficult to find?
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1 reply by Veronica Proctor
Sep 18, 2018 10:01 AM
Veronica Proctor
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Thank you for responding to my question. In my city and surrounding area there are plenty of PM positions available. In my case circumstances have changed in which I need to be more available at home and have a better work/life balance. This means a set work schedule, less travel, less deadline driven late nights and weekends, etc. Basically, becoming an individual contributor to a team rather than leading and being responsible for the project.
Believe it or not, I enjoy the structure, organization and compliance aspect of Project Management as well as working with and learning from team members. Keeping that in mind I have been looking for Project Admin/Coordinator positions, but I thought I would present my question to community to see if they had other suggestions.
Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
Ashleigh's questions are good ones, and I look forward to hearing your answers.
Until then, I can say that in any job where you use PM skills and experience you will effectively be a PM, even if you hold a different title. You will likely have less PM-related bureaucracy and paperwork to deal with, but you'll have nearly the same responsibilities and probably less authority and therefore ability to carry them out.
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1 reply by Ashleigh Kennett-Smith
Sep 18, 2018 12:09 AM
Ashleigh Kennett-Smith
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Very good point Eric. I agree.
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Ashleigh Kennett-SmithICT Project Manager| Australian Red Cross LifebloodAdelaide, South Australia, Australia
Sep 17, 2018 11:57 PM
Replying to Eric Simms
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Ashleigh's questions are good ones, and I look forward to hearing your answers.
Until then, I can say that in any job where you use PM skills and experience you will effectively be a PM, even if you hold a different title. You will likely have less PM-related bureaucracy and paperwork to deal with, but you'll have nearly the same responsibilities and probably less authority and therefore ability to carry them out.
Very good point Eric. I agree. Saving Changes...
RAJESH K LProject Manager, PMP| Bharat Electronics, Bengaluru, IndiaBengaluru, Karnataka, India
Agree with Eric.
Questions raised by Smith are interesting and I am eager to know from Veronica Saving Changes...
Data analytics could be a good option for you to explore given that I come from this field.
My case though is the opposite of yours. I am moving into a more PM oriented role and my IT background has largely facilitated the move. With what you have I believe that can do the same transition going the other direction. Saving Changes...
Hi,
there are several options, different name similar role e.g. product manager, product owner, data scientist, solution architect,
but yes Ashleight questions are relevant.
Start with the why? then to what?
Recent colleague moved from PM to interior decorator (her dream). Saving Changes...
Eric IsomOwner| learn.pmguaranteed.comUt, United States
Project management skill will come in handy in all sorts of roles. If I were you, I would first decide in which direction (roughly) you want to move, whether toward broader management, or toward more hands-on, front-line work, or what. What is it that interests you? Next, I would research and select companies that you admire and would love to work with. Then find out all you can about them, determine ways that you can add value to their organization, and be persistent about building relationships with them. Finally, I would go for and accept just about any available position within one of your dream companies, and over time work your way into your dream role. Saving Changes...
If you've spent sufficient time in a PM role, there are many possible avenues you could pursue including business analysis, product ownership or technical leadership. The question is what drives you? What are you passionate about?
That can best help to hone your development path...
Kiron Saving Changes...
Veronica ProctorPortfolio Manager| Kroger Technology & DigitalCincinnati, Oh, United States
Sep 17, 2018 10:14 PM
Replying to Ashleigh Kennett-Smith
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Interesting question for a PM forum ;)
I'd first ask:
- what is it that is driving you to transition out?
- what different / new / additional motivating factors, incentives etc are you seeking?
- is it simply that PM positions are proving difficult to find?
Thank you for responding to my question. In my city and surrounding area there are plenty of PM positions available. In my case circumstances have changed in which I need to be more available at home and have a better work/life balance. This means a set work schedule, less travel, less deadline driven late nights and weekends, etc. Basically, becoming an individual contributor to a team rather than leading and being responsible for the project.
Believe it or not, I enjoy the structure, organization and compliance aspect of Project Management as well as working with and learning from team members. Keeping that in mind I have been looking for Project Admin/Coordinator positions, but I thought I would present my question to community to see if they had other suggestions.
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2 replies by Mayte Mata Sivera and Wade Harshman
Sep 19, 2018 11:21 AM
Wade Harshman
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Veronica,
If you enjoy project management but need a better work/life balance, have you considered remote PM positions? Specific positions may or may not get you closer to what you're looking for, and it may come with a slight pay cut, but so would taking a job as a project coordinator.
Also, have you considered transitioning out of IT and into another industry? IT is exciting, but commonly plagued with "hero culture" where team members are expected to work late nights and weekends to meet unrealistic deadlines. You could use your same project management skills in another industry that's less tied to pizza and energy drinks.
Sep 19, 2018 3:03 PM
Mayte Mata Sivera
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If you really enjoy project management, I will recommend you to look for a PM role / organization that allow you to keep work-live balance..
It won't be easy, however if in your area there are a demand of Project Managers remember nowadays not only organizations set the rules... you should ask for your requirements and be transparent with your personal situation..for example you can go to the interviews and request something like working 2 days in the office and 3 remote, or the first 3 months in the office and after only 1 week a month..
I checked your profile and its amazing. IT world allows us to work remotely...then if they don't hire you is their lost, not yours because your win will be finding something that will fit your personal needs.
If you enjoy project management...go for it!
Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Nowadays is there an IT job without projects and change?
Going outside IT, still 60% of global GDP are not spent in projects.
I have seen people going out of PM into higher management (and found that relaxing), but only a few. An interim step may be program mgmt.
I have seen others changing into more organic areas (becoming a gardener). No longer people business, back to the roots (literally).
I have seen IT PMs moving into other PM roles, PMOs, program management.
Mostly I saw PMs sticking to it and looking for the next career step.
There are many potential reasons why one might find the current role no longer suitable. Wrong company, declining industry, no career path, not yet discover leadership as key success driver, family issues etc.
It is a problem (aka you do not know what to do). And the solution always is defining the problem (incl. reframing), researching the environment - finding options and deciding on one. Implementation of the choisen option might take some time though. A mentor may help too. Saving Changes...
