Welcome! Introduce yourself to PMI’s Online Community

Hey everyone!

I'm Christie, and I'm really excited to join this community! I’ve been working in project and program management for several years now, and what initially pulled me in was the challenge of taking complex, chaotic tasks and turning them into something organized and manageable. There's something super satisfying about seeing everything come together and move forward smoothly.

But what really keeps me in project/program management is my love for strategy. I really enjoy figuring out how all the pieces fit into the bigger picture, aligning teams around common goals, and driving projects to success while keeping an eye on the long-term vision. It’s this balance of planning, problem-solving, and execution that I truly enjoy.

Looking forward to learning from everyone here, sharing experiences, and just connecting with fellow project enthusiasts!

Hi everyone!

-Your name and your current role

Rachel Mussell, Product Specialist on the Certification Team

-What did you want to be when you were growing up?

For a while, I wanted to be a veterinarian. Then I started watching NCIS with my family and decided I wanted to be Ziva David—a strong, brilliant government agent who could handle anything thrown her way.

-What are your favorite project management tools and technologies? Or ones that you’d like to learn more about?

I love monday.com—it's intuitive, visually appealing, and makes digesting information easy. Plus, the llama farm feature? Adorable.

I’d also love to learn more about Smartsheet. It’s a popular tool within PMI, and while it's new to me, I’m actively working to become proficient.

-What drew you to the project management profession? What's kept you in it?

As a kid, I used to ask my dad what we were having for dinner two weeks in advance. His usual response? “I don’t even know what we’re eating today.” It became a running joke in my family that I was the household COO.

Project management has always been second nature to me—I love being organized, meeting deadlines, and seeing things come together. What keeps me passionate about it is the impact it has when done right. Whether you're a project professional or just trying to turn a vision into reality, having the skills to set goals, create a plan, and execute it efficiently is invaluable.

-What's your proudest accomplishment (personal or professional)?

One of my proudest accomplishments was having the courage to join the PMI MN Chapter five years ago. I didn’t know anyone, but I knew I wanted to grow in this space, so I took the leap. That decision led me to an incredible community and, most importantly, a friend and mentor who has profoundly shaped my professional and personal journey.

Showing up to something new—alone—can be intimidating, but if there’s one piece of advice I’d share, it’s this: go for it. Whether it’s professional development, picking up a new hobby, volunteering, or even taking a solo trip, don’t let fear hold you back.