Share out in the comments below:
-Your name and your current role
-What did you want to be when you were growing up?
-What are your favorite project management tools and technologies? Or ones that you’d like to learn more about?
-What drew you to the project management industry? What's kept you in it?
-What's your proudest accomplishment (personal or professional)?
Looking forward to connecting with you all and hearing your stories! Saving Changes...
Community Tech Platform Owner| ProjectManagement.comUnited States
My turn! I'm Heather and one of the Online Community Specialists here on ProjectManagement.com along with Kimberly Whitby and Laura Schofield. My main focus is behind the scenes with a lot of our technical "stuff", so you may not see me out here as often, unless we're having PDU issues. ;)
-What did you want to be when you were growing up? Growing up I wanted to be an astronaut like many kids in the United States growing up in the 1980's. I was fascinated with the NASA space program, so much so I even went to Space Camp! My dreams were thwarted when I was told that being an astronaut wasn't a job, per say, and you needed to be a scientist or an engineer, and that wasn't in the cards for me.
-What's your proudest accomplishment (personal or professional)? Professionally, it's being here. When I started with ProjectManagement.com in 2005, I never thought in a million years that I would still be here today. Starting with Customer Service, being on the front lines helping the community, I was able to see what project management means to so many. As the site evolved, as well as my role, I got to know a lot of our community members, and it has truly been a pleasure to be here serving the community. I'm proud of what the community has become over the years, and looking forward to the road ahead!
...
1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Feb 06, 2024 4:10 PM
Rami Kaibni
...
Heather McLarnon (The Astronaut): The community is proud of you as well for all the effort you put in making this platform a better place :-)
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Feb 06, 2024 3:52 PM
Replying to Heather McLarnon, CSPO
...
My turn! I'm Heather and one of the Online Community Specialists here on ProjectManagement.com along with Kimberly Whitby and Laura Schofield. My main focus is behind the scenes with a lot of our technical "stuff", so you may not see me out here as often, unless we're having PDU issues. ;)
-What did you want to be when you were growing up? Growing up I wanted to be an astronaut like many kids in the United States growing up in the 1980's. I was fascinated with the NASA space program, so much so I even went to Space Camp! My dreams were thwarted when I was told that being an astronaut wasn't a job, per say, and you needed to be a scientist or an engineer, and that wasn't in the cards for me.
-What's your proudest accomplishment (personal or professional)? Professionally, it's being here. When I started with ProjectManagement.com in 2005, I never thought in a million years that I would still be here today. Starting with Customer Service, being on the front lines helping the community, I was able to see what project management means to so many. As the site evolved, as well as my role, I got to know a lot of our community members, and it has truly been a pleasure to be here serving the community. I'm proud of what the community has become over the years, and looking forward to the road ahead!
Heather McLarnon (The Astronaut): The community is proud of you as well for all the effort you put in making this platform a better place :-) Saving Changes...
George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
Greetings community,
My name is George Freeman, and I call myself the battle-hardened project manager. The cornerstone of my project management expertise flows from the information technology sector, where I have over four decades of experience, three of which have included project management.
I was career-focused at a young age and got my first software development job at sixteen, so although I considered law enforcement, the thrill of technology and the payscale difference drove me to stay in the field and focus on my professional development.
I was ill-prepared for my first project management role as it “fell into my lap” because I was the architect of an industry-specific package that was going to market under a software house. From that experience, I learned that project management and varying forms of conflict go hand-in-hand; what an eye-opener! Unfortunately, the experience left me somewhat disillusioned with project management—I had much to learn.
However, my disillusionment turned to excitement once I started leveraging best practices for project management. At least until my first international project, from which the echoes of the phrase “battle-hardened” brought me to the realization that I needed to build principled approaches and practices to deal with “project issues” that reside outside the realm of process controls.
So, I laid down approaches for dealing with these issues and deployed them in my practice, eventually writing articles on the subject, the first of which was “Strategic Lessons Learned From a Battle-Hardened Project Manager.” And that brings me to what I enjoy now: contributing content to this platform and engaging in the community.
We are blessed to have this platform, community, and leadership that keeps it humming. Thank you all for your hard work!
...
1 reply by Laura Schofield
Feb 08, 2024 11:52 AM
Laura Schofield
...
Thank you for being a part of this community George Freeman!
Community Specialist| Project Management InstituteNewtown Square, PA, United States
Feb 07, 2024 11:14 AM
Replying to George Freeman
...
Greetings community,
My name is George Freeman, and I call myself the battle-hardened project manager. The cornerstone of my project management expertise flows from the information technology sector, where I have over four decades of experience, three of which have included project management.
I was career-focused at a young age and got my first software development job at sixteen, so although I considered law enforcement, the thrill of technology and the payscale difference drove me to stay in the field and focus on my professional development.
I was ill-prepared for my first project management role as it “fell into my lap” because I was the architect of an industry-specific package that was going to market under a software house. From that experience, I learned that project management and varying forms of conflict go hand-in-hand; what an eye-opener! Unfortunately, the experience left me somewhat disillusioned with project management—I had much to learn.
However, my disillusionment turned to excitement once I started leveraging best practices for project management. At least until my first international project, from which the echoes of the phrase “battle-hardened” brought me to the realization that I needed to build principled approaches and practices to deal with “project issues” that reside outside the realm of process controls.
So, I laid down approaches for dealing with these issues and deployed them in my practice, eventually writing articles on the subject, the first of which was “Strategic Lessons Learned From a Battle-Hardened Project Manager.” And that brings me to what I enjoy now: contributing content to this platform and engaging in the community.
We are blessed to have this platform, community, and leadership that keeps it humming. Thank you all for your hard work!
Thank you for being a part of this community George Freeman! Saving Changes...
Jeffrey BoweSenior Project Manager| American TowerTyngsboro, Ma, United States
Hello everyone,
I haven't always been a project manager in title but it has been a passion of mine throughout my career. I spent twelve years of my career running the trade operations team for a global custodial bank. In that role, I spent much of my time planning major process changes, team location changes, mergers of various teams and so much more beyond ensuring market trade settlements in various sub-custodians or agent banks.
Fast-forward a little bit and I would myself on the wrong end of an onshore staffing reduction that turned out to be both pivotal and positive for my career and my family.
I found a roll in another financial institution; this time in a marketing team, that wasn't a project management role but had the opportunity for growth in that direction. I became the second member in a two-person team and over time, helped build the role, responsibilities and operations of what is now a seven person PMO.
As the role was evolving, I made a decision to focus on earning my PMP which I did back in 2001. I have continued to grow my career and help build project management standards for my business unit and have been very happy to have made the career decisions that led me here.
...
1 reply by Laura Schofield
Feb 20, 2024 10:29 AM
Laura Schofield
...
Thanks for sharing your project management journey, Jeffrey. Happy to have you as part of the community!
Community Specialist| Project Management InstituteNewtown Square, PA, United States
Feb 19, 2024 11:02 AM
Replying to Jeffrey Bowe
...
Hello everyone,
I haven't always been a project manager in title but it has been a passion of mine throughout my career. I spent twelve years of my career running the trade operations team for a global custodial bank. In that role, I spent much of my time planning major process changes, team location changes, mergers of various teams and so much more beyond ensuring market trade settlements in various sub-custodians or agent banks.
Fast-forward a little bit and I would myself on the wrong end of an onshore staffing reduction that turned out to be both pivotal and positive for my career and my family.
I found a roll in another financial institution; this time in a marketing team, that wasn't a project management role but had the opportunity for growth in that direction. I became the second member in a two-person team and over time, helped build the role, responsibilities and operations of what is now a seven person PMO.
As the role was evolving, I made a decision to focus on earning my PMP which I did back in 2001. I have continued to grow my career and help build project management standards for my business unit and have been very happy to have made the career decisions that led me here.
Thanks for sharing your project management journey, Jeffrey. Happy to have you as part of the community! Saving Changes...
Eric WoollingsFounder, Primary Consultant| Cardinal Supply Chain ConsultingWaterloo, ONTARIO, Canada
Hello world! I am Eric. I currently work as an independent consultant in Supply Chain after years of experience in a variety of leadership roles in logistics, distribution, procurement, inventory management and operations. I have worked on projects and led projects for years but I just received my PMP designation two days ago!
Growing up I honestly had no clue what I wanted to be. The term happy-go-lucky was frequently included in the teacher’s comments section of my report card. I enjoyed working with my hands, building things, fixing things – still do. I had an entrepreneurial spirit – still do - and figured I would pursue running my own business. But then I fell into supply chain by chance and spent the next couple decades building my career. Only recently have I paused to catch my breath and reflect.
My favourite project management tools are likely the soft skills: coming alongside team members, understanding the nuances of each personality, and using this information to communicate most effectively.
What drew me to the project management industry? My first introduction to formal project management was participating in a project which was led by a great facilitator. I marveled at the ease with which this project manager brought order to what had in my previous experience had been chaos.
My proudest accomplishments are my three children who have grown into wonderful, caring adults who give and care and contribute and make a genuine difference.
...
1 reply by Laura Schofield
Feb 20, 2024 3:44 PM
Laura Schofield
...
Hi Eric! Congrats on earning your PMP, and welcome to PMI's online community!
Community Specialist| Project Management InstituteNewtown Square, PA, United States
Feb 20, 2024 11:35 AM
Replying to Eric Woollings
...
Hello world! I am Eric. I currently work as an independent consultant in Supply Chain after years of experience in a variety of leadership roles in logistics, distribution, procurement, inventory management and operations. I have worked on projects and led projects for years but I just received my PMP designation two days ago!
Growing up I honestly had no clue what I wanted to be. The term happy-go-lucky was frequently included in the teacher’s comments section of my report card. I enjoyed working with my hands, building things, fixing things – still do. I had an entrepreneurial spirit – still do - and figured I would pursue running my own business. But then I fell into supply chain by chance and spent the next couple decades building my career. Only recently have I paused to catch my breath and reflect.
My favourite project management tools are likely the soft skills: coming alongside team members, understanding the nuances of each personality, and using this information to communicate most effectively.
What drew me to the project management industry? My first introduction to formal project management was participating in a project which was led by a great facilitator. I marveled at the ease with which this project manager brought order to what had in my previous experience had been chaos.
My proudest accomplishments are my three children who have grown into wonderful, caring adults who give and care and contribute and make a genuine difference.
Hi Eric! Congrats on earning your PMP, and welcome to PMI's online community! Saving Changes...
Hello Everyone, I am Rajesh, and I am excited to be a new member of this vibrant PMI community. Currently, I am certified Project Manager/Scrum Master, where I manage Projects for our Products called DataMarket, DataFactory in Rightdata.
As a child, I dreamt of becoming a Cricketer, but my path eventually led me to the IT Industry. I had completed my Master's Degree in Communications System and also worked for ISRO-Hassan for testing satellite as intern. Started my career as Mainframe developer, Oracle, ODI 11g, Powerapps, PowerBI tools and Quality lead before i move towards Project Management journey.
I am eager to connect with fellow PMI members, share experiences, and learn from your insights. Thank you for welcoming me into this community.
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1 reply by Laura Schofield
Mar 04, 2024 9:29 AM
Laura Schofield
...
Welcome, Rajesh! You're in the right place - you'll find many community members eager to help and share. We're glad to have you as part of the community!
Community Specialist| Project Management InstituteNewtown Square, PA, United States
Mar 04, 2024 4:59 AM
Replying to Rajesh Manchikanti
...
Hello Everyone, I am Rajesh, and I am excited to be a new member of this vibrant PMI community. Currently, I am certified Project Manager/Scrum Master, where I manage Projects for our Products called DataMarket, DataFactory in Rightdata.
As a child, I dreamt of becoming a Cricketer, but my path eventually led me to the IT Industry. I had completed my Master's Degree in Communications System and also worked for ISRO-Hassan for testing satellite as intern. Started my career as Mainframe developer, Oracle, ODI 11g, Powerapps, PowerBI tools and Quality lead before i move towards Project Management journey.
I am eager to connect with fellow PMI members, share experiences, and learn from your insights. Thank you for welcoming me into this community.
Welcome, Rajesh! You're in the right place - you'll find many community members eager to help and share. We're glad to have you as part of the community! Saving Changes...
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