Hi! I received my PMP in October 2021 and I'm looking to begin a new career path. I'm based out of Maine. I'd love to hear advice from you all on how you started out in your first role as a PMP and what helped you get your "foot in the door". Thanks!
I was fortunate in that a past manager of mine recognized that I might enjoy switching to the PM career path from a technology-focused role, sent me on some training and gave me the opportunity to lead a few small projects. From there, it was a combination of networking within my local Chapter, serving on the board of the Chapter, and taking on roles with progressively more complexity and responsibility...
Kiron
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1 reply by anonymous
Nov 12, 2021 12:12 PM
anonymous
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Kiron, Thanks, that's wonderful you're in an organization that supports your growth. Thanks for the idea of seeking out board opportunities as well. Brenda
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Brenda
Congrats on achieving your PMP and welcome to the community.
I come from a structural engineering background so my shift from design of structures to project management came gradually while working on construction projects - You can call me an Accidental Project Manager but that is the kind of accident that is good. I love Project Management.
RK
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2 replies by Noel Makagutu and anonymous
Nov 12, 2021 12:13 PM
anonymous
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Rami, That's great! Project management is unique in how many directions you can come from or go to with it. Take care, Brenda
Nov 24, 2021 12:08 PM
Noel Makagutu
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Rami, I, too, want this kind of accident. I am an architect by profession and would like to transition to project management. As Brenda put it, I want to know how to get my foot into the door
Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Nov 10, 2021 6:03 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Brenda -
I was fortunate in that a past manager of mine recognized that I might enjoy switching to the PM career path from a technology-focused role, sent me on some training and gave me the opportunity to lead a few small projects. From there, it was a combination of networking within my local Chapter, serving on the board of the Chapter, and taking on roles with progressively more complexity and responsibility...
Kiron
Kiron, Thanks, that's wonderful you're in an organization that supports your growth. Thanks for the idea of seeking out board opportunities as well. Brenda
Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Nov 10, 2021 9:20 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
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Brenda
Congrats on achieving your PMP and welcome to the community.
I come from a structural engineering background so my shift from design of structures to project management came gradually while working on construction projects - You can call me an Accidental Project Manager but that is the kind of accident that is good. I love Project Management.
RK
Rami, That's great! Project management is unique in how many directions you can come from or go to with it. Take care, Brenda
Saving Changes...
Rama K GoberuProgram Manager| Appfire TechnologiesHyderabad, India
Welcome to the world of Project Management, Brenda.
For me, it started when I co-founded a company about 12 years back and started working on the principles of software engineering to drive our project. By intuition, I created a project charter and then proceeded with scope definition and scheduling. I didn't know at that time that it was a specialized area by itself.
My journey continued since then contributing to different organizations in different capacities. One thing to remember is, it's an ongoing journey with many specialized areas but Project Management acts as the main trunk of it all.
My best wishes to you as you start your journey on this path! Do reach out to me for any direction. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Hi Brenda,
congrats and welcome to the club.
We all are proud of being PMP, and we need to be humble in not taking it as sufficient for leading projects. Also the preparation process is a tough one, that adds to being proud just because you made that.
I got my PMP in 1998 after being a full-time PM since 1988. Learning for it gave me access to new knowledge, some of which I tried out, but it also structured my thinking about project management and made me more confident.
From 1988 I supported others in preparing for the exam, as volunteer and on a payed base, which required my to deeply read and explore every new edition and I kept learning new stuff doing so. So PMP for me was not an end-state but rather a base camp from which I explored many summits.
Good luck and let us know if you need something.
Thomas Saving Changes...
Noel MakagutuArchitect & PM| Self employedNairobi, Kenya
Nov 10, 2021 9:20 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
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Brenda
Congrats on achieving your PMP and welcome to the community.
I come from a structural engineering background so my shift from design of structures to project management came gradually while working on construction projects - You can call me an Accidental Project Manager but that is the kind of accident that is good. I love Project Management.
RK
Rami, I, too, want this kind of accident. I am an architect by profession and would like to transition to project management. As Brenda put it, I want to know how to get my foot into the door Saving Changes...
Hi Brenda,
Welcome to the community, I really was project manager by accident, as I started as a Business Analyst.
After 15 years in technology, my manager challenged me to lead non tech project, that was a huge career change for me.
Good luck and keep us posted! Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Over my 40-year career (yikes!), I've flipped-flopped between technical and managerial positions. Project management offered me the best blend of both sides. Saving Changes...
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