Project Management

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Transitioning Into Project Management – Advice Needed! - New Graduate

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Te'Airra Reese Dallas, Tx, United States

Hi PMI Community,



I’m currently working as a Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Dallas, and I’m actively working on transitioning into a project management career. I recently graduated with a BBA in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior, and I’m now pursuing my MBA in Project Management. I’ve also joined PMI and the Dallas chapter to grow my network and stay engaged with the profession.



I’m looking for advice on how to make the pivot into an entry-level PM role (like Project Coordinator or Junior Project Manager) especially coming from a non-traditional background like municipal compliance. I’d love to hear:



What steps helped you transition into project management?



Are there any certifications, portfolio projects, or networking strategies that really made a difference?



Is there value in highlighting my HR/OB background when applying to PM roles?



Any guidance, encouragement, or connections would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much in advance!



— Te’Airra Reese
MBA Candidate | CAPM (In Progress) | PMI Dallas Chapter Member
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Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Te'Airra, networking is key, so continue engaging with PMI and your local chapter in Dallas, as they often have events or opportunities to connect with professionals who can guide you.

In terms of certifications, I recommend pursuing the CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) certification, as it’s designed for individuals entering the PM field and can give you a solid foundation in project management principles.

For an entry-level role, you might want to target positions like Project Coordinator, which focus on supporting project managers and handling administrative tasks, helping you build practical experience.
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1 reply by Te'Airra Reese
Jun 09, 2025 3:00 PM
Te'Airra Reese
...

Rami,

I cannot thank you enough for your response.



Thank you

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Te'Airra Reese Dallas, Tx, United States
Jun 09, 2025 2:54 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
...
Te'Airra, networking is key, so continue engaging with PMI and your local chapter in Dallas, as they often have events or opportunities to connect with professionals who can guide you.

In terms of certifications, I recommend pursuing the CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) certification, as it’s designed for individuals entering the PM field and can give you a solid foundation in project management principles.

For an entry-level role, you might want to target positions like Project Coordinator, which focus on supporting project managers and handling administrative tasks, helping you build practical experience.

Rami,

I cannot thank you enough for your response.



Thank you

...
1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jun 09, 2025 3:05 PM
Rami Kaibni
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You're very welcome. Good Luck with your transition!
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Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Jun 09, 2025 3:00 PM
Replying to Te'Airra Reese
...

Rami,

I cannot thank you enough for your response.



Thank you

You're very welcome. Good Luck with your transition!
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Kiron Bondale Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada
Te'Airra -

Your HR/OB background will be very applicable to the interpersonal relations aspect of the role - dealing with challenging stakeholders, working through conflicts, and effective communications will all be of value.

Beyond those, anything you can do to highlight attention to detail, organization and time management skills from your past work will help when applying for project coordinator or analyst type roles.

Good luck!

Kiron

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