Hi, I am new to PMI. I am a metallurgical engineer by training. I worked in consulting a few years ago, and I want to go back. To ease my way in, I am offering free consulting in addition to some volunteer positions that I am hoping to pick up.
I am looking for large to medium companies with internal data or accessible external data that need help with short consulting projects. I am a bit flexible to work with small companies and individuals.
Projects could be on improving profitability, improving the effectiveness of marketing efforts, or drafting sustainability strategies.
If you need help with a project, please feel free to message me. We can then engage and see if I can assist.
I am also open to career development tips and job offers. I am ideally looking for a consultant role.
Have you joined your local PMI chapter and attended any of their networking events as those can be one way to get some good leads on roles?
Kiron
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1 reply by Gabriella Nxumalo
Jan 07, 2025 4:49 AM
Gabriella Nxumalo
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Hi Kiron. Thanks for the suggestion. I certainly want to get involved with a chapter. I haven't attended any networking events yet, but I intend to do so. I agree chapter networking events can be a way of getting leads on roles.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Gabriella, thanks for your post and welcome to the PMI community.
A first good step would be to connect with your PMI local chapter, as Kiron mentioned, as it would open many opportunities for you. Another alternative would be to use LinkedIn job filters to look for volunteer or free freelance opportunities within your field. I use this myself from time to time. Good Luck!
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1 reply by Gabriella Nxumalo
Jan 07, 2025 10:24 AM
Gabriella Nxumalo
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Hi Rami, Thanks for the welcome. I gave LinkedIn a shot and found a few medium-term volunteer roles. I am, however, leaning towards short projects. Do you by any chance know how I can go about finding short projects instead of roles?
Have you joined your local PMI chapter and attended any of their networking events as those can be one way to get some good leads on roles?
Kiron
Hi Kiron. Thanks for the suggestion. I certainly want to get involved with a chapter. I haven't attended any networking events yet, but I intend to do so. I agree chapter networking events can be a way of getting leads on roles. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Please let me say that you are making a big mistake. Cost is one of the components of value then is you are offering by no cost then you are jeopardizing the value you can deliver. Nobody will hiring you. Saving Changes...
Gabriella, thanks for your post and welcome to the PMI community.
A first good step would be to connect with your PMI local chapter, as Kiron mentioned, as it would open many opportunities for you. Another alternative would be to use LinkedIn job filters to look for volunteer or free freelance opportunities within your field. I use this myself from time to time. Good Luck!
Hi Rami, Thanks for the welcome. I gave LinkedIn a shot and found a few medium-term volunteer roles. I am, however, leaning towards short projects. Do you by any chance know how I can go about finding short projects instead of roles?
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jan 07, 2025 10:39 AM
Rami Kaibni
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Gariella, for short projects you either have to touch base with your PMI local chapter or approach companies directly and discuss with them your value proposition.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Jan 07, 2025 10:24 AM
Replying to Gabriella Nxumalo
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Hi Rami, Thanks for the welcome. I gave LinkedIn a shot and found a few medium-term volunteer roles. I am, however, leaning towards short projects. Do you by any chance know how I can go about finding short projects instead of roles?
Gariella, for short projects you either have to touch base with your PMI local chapter or approach companies directly and discuss with them your value proposition.
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1 reply by Gabriella Nxumalo
Jan 09, 2025 3:37 AM
Gabriella Nxumalo
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Hi Rami, I am currently reaching out to a chapter, and I agree that it will be helpful. I actually started a conversation with one company. Over time I'll probably approach a few more and then progress forward. Thanks for the inputs.
Gariella, for short projects you either have to touch base with your PMI local chapter or approach companies directly and discuss with them your value proposition.
Hi Rami, I am currently reaching out to a chapter, and I agree that it will be helpful. I actually started a conversation with one company. Over time I'll probably approach a few more and then progress forward. Thanks for the inputs.
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Welcome to PMI, Gabriella Nxumalo. I recommend connecting with former employers to explore potential current or future opportunities. Additionally, use LinkedIn and other job boards to highlight your profile and professional goals. I agree with Sergio Luis Conte's suggestion about adopting a value proposition approach. Unless you explicitly intend to offer your services pro bono, I encourage you to assign a monetary value to your work.
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1 reply by Gabriella Nxumalo
Jan 14, 2025 9:13 AM
Gabriella Nxumalo
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Hi Eduard, thanks for the input. Talking to former employers sounds good; I think I can also reach out to former colleagues and people I went to Uni with. What I am gathering so far from the conversations is that a more directed approach could be better, and it will allow me an opportunity to communicate a value proposition. At this point, my objective is not monetary gain but rather to ease back into the space and to further my experience. I appreciate the benefit of monetary value, and I will only be offering free consulting until I reach my target number of client deliverables. After this point monetary value will be attached to my work. And I disagree with Sergio Luis Conte.
Welcome to PMI, Gabriella Nxumalo. I recommend connecting with former employers to explore potential current or future opportunities. Additionally, use LinkedIn and other job boards to highlight your profile and professional goals. I agree with Sergio Luis Conte's suggestion about adopting a value proposition approach. Unless you explicitly intend to offer your services pro bono, I encourage you to assign a monetary value to your work.
Hi Eduard, thanks for the input. Talking to former employers sounds good; I think I can also reach out to former colleagues and people I went to Uni with. What I am gathering so far from the conversations is that a more directed approach could be better, and it will allow me an opportunity to communicate a value proposition. At this point, my objective is not monetary gain but rather to ease back into the space and to further my experience. I appreciate the benefit of monetary value, and I will only be offering free consulting until I reach my target number of client deliverables. After this point monetary value will be attached to my work. And I disagree with Sergio Luis Conte.
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