Online Community Specialist| PMINewtown Square, Pa, United States
What are the biggest challenges for people just starting in the profession? What obstacles did you encounter when you first started in your PM career? Saving Changes...
Lovelyn EkpedoStudent| Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland,OH, United States
Knowing where to start!
I am a second year MBA student at Case with a concentration in finance also having done projects in finance for 5 years. I would need mentorship on how to navigate projects here in the US. Questions I would like answered, what certifications to take, how do I benefit from the local chapters, how is the summit important and relevant to me.
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1 reply by Ummara Fasih
Dec 27, 2025 4:11 PM
Ummara Fasih
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Looking forward to know!
Saving Changes...
Virginia DukeSenior Assoc. Project Manager| HiltonMemphis, TN, United States
Knowing what resources are out there.
PMI and LinkedIn Learning are great resources that can help you on your journey to learn more about project management. Saving Changes...
Dealing with ambiguity, aligning stakeholders, communicating effectively across different teams, and passing the PMP exam. Saving Changes...
Oluchi EfobiStudent| Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland Heights, United States
As an MBA student interning as an associate project manager and newly PMP-certified in September 2025, my biggest challenge has been balancing what I learned in the PMBOK with the messiness of real projects. I sometimes feel pressure to prove myself, especially around more experienced team members, and I’m still learning how to speak up, push back respectfully, and navigate unclear requirements. The technical pieces can feel intimidating, but I’ve realized that asking questions and staying curious helps me gain confidence and build trust. Every week feels like a step toward becoming the PM I want to be. Saving Changes...
ESTHER AWANYEStudent| Case WesternCleveland, United States
As a second year MBA student handling projects applying the PM principles. I struggled most with clearly defining project scope and pushing back when requirements weren’t realistic. I also had to learn how to communicate effectively within my team. Over time, leaning on mentors, asking questions, and building stronger processes helped me get past those obstacles.
Chigozie AgwubuoProject Manager| East Tennessee State UniversityTennessee, United States
For people new to project management, the biggest challenge is building confidence while everything still feels unfamiliar. You’re trying to learn the process, communicate clearly, and manage different personalities all at once, which can feel overwhelming at first.
When I started, I struggled with speaking up and trusting my own judgment. I often felt like I had to prove myself, which made it easy to overcommit. Over time, I learned that confidence comes through experience, asking good questions, and letting myself grow into the role instead of expecting perfection on day one.
Starting out is always difficult, especially when you are new to the professional environment. The best advice I can provide is to take your time. Starting at a new venture will take time to get fully immersed in the culture and processes typical to the organization. Every organization is different, so give yourself the grace of time knowing that you will need to understand the business and its needs before you’re able to hit the gas on your profession.
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