Hi all, I'm recently out of college and I'm looking to enter project management as a career; but I haven't figured out what industry I want to do project management in. It's very vague, but I want to find an industry that feels like I'm making a real, positive impact on people's lives. Like healthcare? Or social work?
I figured I'd ask you all - what industries have you worked on projects in? Which industries have felt like you’ve genuinely made positive change? And what was your experience in that field like? Saving Changes...
I'd recommend doing one or two career/interest self-assessments as this is less about project management and more about the domain you would want to work in. As you'd likely need to start of as an individual contributor/team member, figuring out the domain first is critical.
Kiron
...
1 reply by Piotr Hajnus
Mar 06, 2024 5:23 AM
Piotr Hajnus
...
I fully agree with that!
Joey, if I were in you at that stage, I would at least ask myself a few questions about "my requirements" (aka expectations/needs) .
A question like " what kind of impact would I like to make" or “is it important for me to see a direct positive result of my actions” might be important among others.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Joey, you can make an impact if you work in any indsutry be construction, healtcare, IT and many others. Its important to do something you're passionate about and this is where you will be motivated to make the most positive impact and change. Saving Changes...
I have found that if you consciously focus on your leadership, you can help people in any industry. It may not be saving the world, but it means all the difference to the peoples' lives around you.
Perhaps one of the proudest moments of my entire career is where I was assigned to assemble a team of top performers to manage a crisis situation. When I told the team why we were all gathered, described the tough job ahead of us and the importance, it was a somber affair. One of my team members spoke up and acknowledged that I was just put in a very difficult position, but they were glad that it was me in that position. The team concurred and there was none of the usual complaining about how we shouldn't be in this position to begin with and who came up with this stupid plan. It was straight down to business and moving with a purpose.
When your team rallies behind you because they know you have THEIR backs during tough times and sometimes take it on the chin to help them out, you sometimes find out that you can directly help of the emotional well-being on your team every day. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
As my "discussions mates" stated above you can work on lot of industries where projects will cause impact. Key point is your background. But IT and all related to use GPM (Green project management) could be a good option in my opinion. Saving Changes...
Hi Joey,
You mentioned healthcare and social industries. Let me share my point of view based on my experience.
I've been working in a pharma industry for last 10 years and frankly speaking I can't see much impact made by my projects. That's an essence - working in a large matrix organization - the impact might be difficult to notice.
Many pharma companies communicates a will or a value "to make real impact on people's live" or "making live better", but in my experience it’s rare to see a real impact. What's more the impact is "generic", not "individual.
I've been a social worker for some time, motivated to make a positive impact on people's life, but while operating within a certain social system's boundaries limiting my option to help I left that path.
At the end, it may all depend on an EEFs and OPAs related to an industry in your country or region.
Don't hesitate to try out different options and ways. Joey,
You mentioned healthcare and social industries. Let me share my point of view based on the experience.
At the end, it may all depend on an EEFs and OPAs in your country or region.
It's a journey. Best of luck!
...
1 reply by Joey Ripcho
Mar 06, 2024 3:30 PM
Joey Ripcho
...
Hi Piotr, thanks for your insight! My sister is new to the social work industry herself and has noted similar difficulties in that how much she can help is limited by the social system already in place.
I've also heard it's very difficult to find a good social work job that has good pay as well. Social work has seemed like the industry where I would be able to see the impact of my work the most - which is important to me - but I would also like to live financially comfortable so I haven't known what to make of that
I'd recommend doing one or two career/interest self-assessments as this is less about project management and more about the domain you would want to work in. As you'd likely need to start of as an individual contributor/team member, figuring out the domain first is critical.
Kiron
I fully agree with that!
Joey, if I were in you at that stage, I would at least ask myself a few questions about "my requirements" (aka expectations/needs) .
A question like " what kind of impact would I like to make" or “is it important for me to see a direct positive result of my actions” might be important among others. Saving Changes...
Hi Joey,
You mentioned healthcare and social industries. Let me share my point of view based on my experience.
I've been working in a pharma industry for last 10 years and frankly speaking I can't see much impact made by my projects. That's an essence - working in a large matrix organization - the impact might be difficult to notice.
Many pharma companies communicates a will or a value "to make real impact on people's live" or "making live better", but in my experience it’s rare to see a real impact. What's more the impact is "generic", not "individual.
I've been a social worker for some time, motivated to make a positive impact on people's life, but while operating within a certain social system's boundaries limiting my option to help I left that path.
At the end, it may all depend on an EEFs and OPAs related to an industry in your country or region.
Don't hesitate to try out different options and ways. Joey,
You mentioned healthcare and social industries. Let me share my point of view based on the experience.
At the end, it may all depend on an EEFs and OPAs in your country or region.
It's a journey. Best of luck!
Hi Piotr, thanks for your insight! My sister is new to the social work industry herself and has noted similar difficulties in that how much she can help is limited by the social system already in place.
I've also heard it's very difficult to find a good social work job that has good pay as well. Social work has seemed like the industry where I would be able to see the impact of my work the most - which is important to me - but I would also like to live financially comfortable so I haven't known what to make of that Saving Changes...
Information is not knowledge,
Knowledge is not wisdom,
Wisdom is not truth,
Truth is not beauty,
Beauty is not love,
Love is not music
and Music is THE BEST
Community Champion
