As someone fairly new to the industry, how can I gain experience to further develop my professional career in project management? Are there any internship opportunities available or anything similar that I could look out for? And will I be able to progress with just a certificate and not a degree in project management? Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Yariela, to gain experience, there are few paths you can pursue:
1) Look for a project coordinator role which is a great starting role to get your feet wet.
2) Look for volunteer opportunities. Your PMI local chapter is a good place to start.
3) Look for internships. PMI Local Chapters sometimes offer opportunities through their partners or you can check on LinkedIn Jobs.
Hope this helps!
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2 replies by Autumn Granza and Yariela Borras
Jun 20, 2024 1:10 PM
Yariela Borras
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Rami, thanks for taking the time to respond to my questions. It's good to see other PM's helping out the ones that are just starting like me. I will look into all of those options and hopefully someone brings me in as part of their team. Thanks again.
Sep 06, 2024 2:17 PM
Autumn Granza
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Hi Rami! Good advice. I'm writing a blog for PMI about gaining experience in PM without the title. Mind if I message you a few questions to answer?
Yariela, to gain experience, there are few paths you can pursue:
1) Look for a project coordinator role which is a great starting role to get your feet wet.
2) Look for volunteer opportunities. Your PMI local chapter is a good place to start.
3) Look for internships. PMI Local Chapters sometimes offer opportunities through their partners or you can check on LinkedIn Jobs.
Hope this helps!
Rami, thanks for taking the time to respond to my questions. It's good to see other PM's helping out the ones that are just starting like me. I will look into all of those options and hopefully someone brings me in as part of their team. Thanks again.
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jun 20, 2024 1:16 PM
Rami Kaibni
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You're welcome, Yariela. Happy to help - Good Luck!
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Jun 20, 2024 1:10 PM
Replying to Yariela Borras
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Rami, thanks for taking the time to respond to my questions. It's good to see other PM's helping out the ones that are just starting like me. I will look into all of those options and hopefully someone brings me in as part of their team. Thanks again.
You're welcome, Yariela. Happy to help - Good Luck! Saving Changes...
Like Rami suggested, you can look into volunteering opportunities. That could help you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be in future.
You mentioned "certificate" and "degree in project management." That choice hopefully will become clearer to you as you work on actual projects
Have you explored internal growth opportunities? If your employer is interested in developing their talent, then you may be able to expand your job description at least part time and/or temporarily.
Many employees don't want more responsibility. That can put you on a short list of those who do. Have a discussion with your manager about your ambitions. They may know of current opportunities where you can lead or assist the PM, and keep you in mind when future work materializes. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
First question is: what is your definition of project manager? Second: based on the definition, why do you want to be a project manager? For example, do you know that in some methods/frameworks "project manager" is a "bad word"? (close to an insult). So, my humble recomendation, is take a close look about what do you like to do in your career. And take a closer look to PMI´s free courses about generative AI.....Project/Progam/Portfolio manager role "is dead" at least at they were originally defined.... Saving Changes...
I would suggest you take a project management course. You can find them relatively inexpensive on Udemy (look for sales). Without starting a debate here, Andrew Ramdayal’s PMP course is just one example (not selling or advertising, just sharing an example). Then apply the theory you’ve learned on small “micro-projects” or a piece of work you have been tasked to do. Thinking through the project management phases for small micro initiatives are a great way to smart small and practically apply the theory you have learned. Saving Changes...
Alexander AraujoProject Consultant| ConavproGuaruja / SP, Brazil
Hello, I have a similar question. I am a naval engineer with 8 years of experience, I have already acted as a planning analyst, as a planning manager, as an engineering consultant, etc. I really want to act as a project manager, I did a postgraduate degree in project management, and I get the PMP certification. That's been 7 months, 7 months since I've been looking for an opportunity and I haven't found it. Can someone give me a way, I feel like I'm ready!!!
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1 reply by Keith Novak
Jul 23, 2024 4:20 PM
Keith Novak
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You might consider having a professional review your resume. Sometimes there can be issues like your descriptions of prior jobs focus more on the engineering than the PM skills, or title over responsibilities.
It could also be your own job market is slow or that you need to tailor your search criteria. I am often hired as an engineer who is then assigned a project within my new organization rather than a job post seeking a PM with an engineering background.
Hello, I have a similar question. I am a naval engineer with 8 years of experience, I have already acted as a planning analyst, as a planning manager, as an engineering consultant, etc. I really want to act as a project manager, I did a postgraduate degree in project management, and I get the PMP certification. That's been 7 months, 7 months since I've been looking for an opportunity and I haven't found it. Can someone give me a way, I feel like I'm ready!!!
You might consider having a professional review your resume. Sometimes there can be issues like your descriptions of prior jobs focus more on the engineering than the PM skills, or title over responsibilities.
It could also be your own job market is slow or that you need to tailor your search criteria. I am often hired as an engineer who is then assigned a project within my new organization rather than a job post seeking a PM with an engineering background. Saving Changes...
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