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...
Kevin MiazekVP, Project Management| Credit Union ONEShelby Township, MI, United States
How to start and where to start. I had been PMP certified in 2013 but wasn't until 2019 that I really started within the credit union I work for. Was part of a few projects with a big one being testing coordinator and as a resource. Then April 2019 came. My CEO offered a VP position and to start a PMO. Excited but nervous. Where do I start, how do I start, what's the first thing? Saving Changes...
Starting my career in project management, one of my biggest challenges was learning how to operate with confidence in environments full of ambiguity. Even with the structure of PMBOK and academic training, real projects rarely follow a perfect flow. You’re building processes while navigating gaps, unclear requirements, and multiple stakeholders — all while trying to establish yourself as someone people can trust.
Another early challenge for me was balancing being proactive with not over-owning things that didn’t belong to my role. As new PMs, we often want to “fix everything,” but learning how to prioritize, say no respectfully, and set healthy boundaries was essential for my growth.
Over time, a few things helped me tremendously:
Strong documentation and repeatable processes — “Process saves, bottlenecks kill,” as I like to say.
Asking better questions instead of trying to have all the answers.
Finding mentors who had already navigated the pathways I was stepping into.
Investing in certifications (like PMP®) to gain both competence and credibility.
Looking back, the biggest unlock was realizing that project management is a blend of structure, communication, and emotional intelligence. You grow into it step by step — and every project, even the messy ones, makes you better. Saving Changes...
As someone early in my project management journey, one of the biggest challenges I've noticed is connecting theoretical concepts with real-world execution. Learning the frameworks is important, but actually applying them in dynamic situations, when priorities shift and constraints change, that's where you really start to learn.
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.
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.
Early-career project managers often struggle with applying theory to real projects, managing stakeholders without formal authority, and building confidence in decision-making. When I started, the biggest challenge was influencing teams and handling changing priorities with limited experience. Over time, hands-on exposure and strong communication made the biggest difference. Saving Changes...
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.
PMI Team Member
Community Champion
