Dr. Max BollerAV/DS/IPTV Project Manager| AlphaFarmington, Mn, United States
I am looking to move away from IT Project Management and into a non-technical industry. I have always had an interest in marketing, human resources, and business process. My roadblock is that I feel hamstrung by my lack of experience in anything except IT.
I can continue to add to the alphabet after my name, but without the experience, I have not been able to get my foot in the door anywhere outside of IT-focused organizations.
I would appreciate any insight, suggestions, candor, or feedback that anyone has to offer. Saving Changes...
Changing domains is a challenging endeavor for a PM as legitimate business domain knowledge takes time to gain and your credibility in one industry is not immediately transferred when you switch.
I've written about this in the past, but a few suggestions are:
1. It is easier to switch within a company you are already in than to land a new gig or full time role elsewhere. As you have the organizational awareness and have built up credibility within it, hiring managers may be more willing to give you a chance.
2. Find a seasoned veteran PM in the new industry to serve as a mentor.
3. Look for an opportunity to volunteer for a not-for-profit association doing the type of projects that you'd like to do.
Dear Max, if you have Project Management Knowledge, you can switch to any industry, because PMI Standards can be applied in general. Technical Knowledge is a plus for a Project Manager, and if you want to explore other areas outside your expertise, you may rely on a Mentor that help you to introduce to the new field. Experience comes with day-to-day work, so you would not abandon your first field of expertise, but dedicate a portion of your time to gain knowledge in the new one. Saving Changes...
Jennifer McIntyreSenior Project Manager| Oklahoma State Department of HealthOklahoma City, Ok, United States
I have bounced industries fairly easily- look and apply for jobs that ask for the PMP certification - most of those positions recognize project management as a general field and can overlook lack of industry specific experience. Even if they have industry knowledge as a 'requirement' - I have found my degrees and certifications have been enough to get me in the door.
I have worked in defense/government, industrial construction, telecommunications, and process manufacturing. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Max
I totally understand how you feel and it sure does seems overwhelming to change careers after so many years but take it from me, as a career coach, it is not as cumbersome as you might think it is. I've written about this earlier - See below link:
1) Many management skills are transferrable: Skills like planning, problem solving and decision-making.
2) Interpersonal and Soft Skills apply to all careers: Communication, emotional intelligence, Active Listening, Leadership and many more .
3) It might be difficult short term but it pays off long term: Even if you change companies while staying within the same career path, it will still be a learning curve while you adapt to the organizational culture. You might start with a lower post and salary but sometimes taking a step back to gain ten in the future is a wise thing to do.
4)You can always learn the same way you learned in your previous career. I personally know many who changed their careers after 10 years and now they are extremely successful.
You need to put yourself out there and take a step back probably (Post Wise). I always recommend finding a project coordinator role so you can get exposed to the various aspects of a project in a specific industry.
Hope this helps.
RK Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Being an IT project manager is not a technical role so it depends how you performed the role. But I understood is not the matter of your question. I have migrated to lot of different domains including it to do that inside the same organization or not. Some project managers forget to do a critical activity before they started to work in a new assignment: elicitation. You have understand the business domain, you have to understand stakeholders needs and concerns in the domain, you have to understand internal and external environment. To do that you can use PESTLE analysis, Porter´s Five Forces, SPIN Selling method, etc. The problem I found when I switch from domain is some people search for a SME (subject matter expert) instead for a project manager. Saving Changes...
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