Project Management

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New Project Manager Looking for new opportunity

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Haden Brooks Project Engineer| E.S. Boulos Company Inc. Westbrook, Me, United States
Good Afternoon,

I became a Management Analyst for the State of Maine Dept. of Correction back in January 2019. The position was more of an IT technician with the wrong job title, I walked in knowing this, but saw an opportunity for Project Management so I took it. Since getting this position I have gotten so much done in so many different areas of my own facility that I am now managing projects for other facilities. I manage Education Department IT, Facility IP Camera Systems, Body Cameras, and Radios. All good an fun....BUT....I cannot stand IT. I tell people I unfortunately know enough to understand and get by. I have been dubbed with "IT Guru" and the "IT Master" when in all actuality I have zero IT certifications, not a lot of real applicable knowledge and do not want any. I recently wrote proposal for a cloud-based education system, within I recommended creating an IT Team and my position to an actual IT technician (which is what it should be but I've taken this into a completely different direction.) Selfless decision but it is what the department needs. I just started getting intense about gaining project management certifications and have applied for training and exam for CAPM, which I suspect they'll approve. Everyone I have talked to in the Department who is a higher level manager has expressed that maybe I should be looking somewhere's else as they do not see the need for a PMO (a lot of Irony involved in this.) So i began looking outside of government and have been looking at construction and trade industries for jobs within Project Management. Unfortunately I have zero certifications and minimal experience and just don't know where to start. I'm terrified of getting stuck in this position and losing my Coordinator Title and taking a step back toward IT technician. Need some advise! Where do I start?
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Kiron Bondale Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada
Haden -

If there's no opportunity to gain PM experience within your current organization (regardless of whether they need a PMO or not), then the choices are to gain that experience through volunteering after hours and/or change jobs to a different company who may hire you because of your IT experience but would give you a chance to move into a PM role.

I'd suggest taking a foundational course in pragmatic project management first rather than focusing on certification. Then, get some experience and then pursue a certification.

Kiron
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1 reply by Haden Brooks
Oct 17, 2019 10:51 AM
Haden Brooks
...
Thank you.
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Drew Craig Sr. Agile & Product Coach| Vanguard Philadelphia, Pa, United States
In addition to Kiron's recommendation.

Craft your resume to highlight the experience and skills you are gaining in your current role. Update your LinkedIn profile to match - not a duplicate of your resume, but keeping with a consistent theme and telling the story you want others to read.

Get involved outside of your job. Community, Chapter involvement, etc.
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1 reply by Haden Brooks
Oct 17, 2019 10:52 AM
Haden Brooks
...
Thank you
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Haden Brooks Project Engineer| E.S. Boulos Company Inc. Westbrook, Me, United States
Oct 16, 2019 5:00 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
...
Haden -

If there's no opportunity to gain PM experience within your current organization (regardless of whether they need a PMO or not), then the choices are to gain that experience through volunteering after hours and/or change jobs to a different company who may hire you because of your IT experience but would give you a chance to move into a PM role.

I'd suggest taking a foundational course in pragmatic project management first rather than focusing on certification. Then, get some experience and then pursue a certification.

Kiron
Thank you.
avatar
Haden Brooks Project Engineer| E.S. Boulos Company Inc. Westbrook, Me, United States
Oct 16, 2019 6:50 PM
Replying to Drew Craig
...
In addition to Kiron's recommendation.

Craft your resume to highlight the experience and skills you are gaining in your current role. Update your LinkedIn profile to match - not a duplicate of your resume, but keeping with a consistent theme and telling the story you want others to read.

Get involved outside of your job. Community, Chapter involvement, etc.
Thank you

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