My experience is mostly in the nonprofit sector as a grant writer, and consultant, I am getting my masters in Nonprofit Management now. I have been reading about project management for some months now and it is really something that I would like to pursue. The problem is I'm not really sure where to start. I was hoping someone would have some advice for me on how I can work towards getting experience in project management. I joined PMI and my local chapter recently, and I'm hoping to network and get to know some people who are in the field. I am really interested in the healthcare field, and the nonprofit/public sector. Thank you for any feedback. Saving Changes...
Start with PMBOK guide, familiarize with PM concepts & foundations. Get involve in a project, have hands on experience as a project contributor. Attend webinars, participate in discussion postings.
All the best!!
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1 reply by Haifa Baptiste
Sep 16, 2016 11:57 PM
Haifa Baptiste
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Anupam,
Thank you so much for the best wishes for giving me a starting point. I really appreciate it.
Start with PMBOK guide, familiarize with PM concepts & foundations. Get involve in a project, have hands on experience as a project contributor. Attend webinars, participate in discussion postings.
All the best!!
Anupam,
Thank you so much for the best wishes for giving me a starting point. I really appreciate it. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Haifa,
Welcome on Board.
In order to get yourself familiar with PM, you need the experience and in order to get the experience, you need to start as a project coordinator. In your line of business, I am sure that you are doing project management and every aspect of our life is a project be it large or small.
I would say start by targeting to take the CAPM exam and study / read accordingly. It is the first step to becoming a PMP and you will benefit from all the info when you stidy and you will definitely realize that you've do some of that at your work.
Hope this helps - Good Luck
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1 reply by Haifa Baptiste
Sep 18, 2016 1:50 PM
Haifa Baptiste
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Hi Rami,
Thank you for your reply. After doing some thinking and reading on project management, I do think that I have had some project experience in my past, so thank you for that. I'll just have to continue looking deeper into my past roles.
Saving Changes...
AKSHAY JAINPlanning Group Leader| YOKOGAWA, BahrainGwalior, Mp, India
Profit or Non profit experience does not matter, what matter is your exposure in project. Project is an endeavor which create an unique result may be in form of product, service of anything. PM set balance in cost, quality & time in order to fulfill objective of project. You may check if any of your previous experience satisfy requirement to qualify as project then you have project exposure, else you will have to look project exposure. To start with you may select any basic book and if you are doing your masters in management such subject may be a part of your curriculum. Later as soon as you have feel of projects, you may refer PMBOK which cover vast areas of project management and for detail knowledge in area of your choice you may refer specific books.
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1 reply by Haifa Baptiste
Sep 18, 2016 1:52 PM
Haifa Baptiste
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Ashay,
Thank you for your advice. I really appreciate it!
When I first started with Project Management it was in the capacity of a PMO assistant. Helping the team work through the documentation and shadow PMs to see how their projects were running and then support them where needed. It gave me the best of both worlds - I got to understand how projects were working, the pitfalls that they encountered and as I grew with experience I could help the Project Manager when the issues occurred.
Any sort of Project exposure is good exposure. I'd also suggest looking at some courses (maybe within your chapter) where you can look at getting some theory into your head rather than just practical experience.
Good luck and welcome to the fab world of Projects!
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1 reply by Haifa Baptiste
Sep 18, 2016 1:54 PM
Haifa Baptiste
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Thank you Emily.
I am currently looking at some courses to give me more exposure to PM. Thank you for your response.
In order to get yourself familiar with PM, you need the experience and in order to get the experience, you need to start as a project coordinator. In your line of business, I am sure that you are doing project management and every aspect of our life is a project be it large or small.
I would say start by targeting to take the CAPM exam and study / read accordingly. It is the first step to becoming a PMP and you will benefit from all the info when you stidy and you will definitely realize that you've do some of that at your work.
Hope this helps - Good Luck
Hi Rami,
Thank you for your reply. After doing some thinking and reading on project management, I do think that I have had some project experience in my past, so thank you for that. I'll just have to continue looking deeper into my past roles.
...
1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Sep 18, 2016 2:18 PM
Rami Kaibni
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You're Welcome. I'm glad you did figure this part out & good luck.
Profit or Non profit experience does not matter, what matter is your exposure in project. Project is an endeavor which create an unique result may be in form of product, service of anything. PM set balance in cost, quality & time in order to fulfill objective of project. You may check if any of your previous experience satisfy requirement to qualify as project then you have project exposure, else you will have to look project exposure. To start with you may select any basic book and if you are doing your masters in management such subject may be a part of your curriculum. Later as soon as you have feel of projects, you may refer PMBOK which cover vast areas of project management and for detail knowledge in area of your choice you may refer specific books.
Ashay,
Thank you for your advice. I really appreciate it! Saving Changes...
When I first started with Project Management it was in the capacity of a PMO assistant. Helping the team work through the documentation and shadow PMs to see how their projects were running and then support them where needed. It gave me the best of both worlds - I got to understand how projects were working, the pitfalls that they encountered and as I grew with experience I could help the Project Manager when the issues occurred.
Any sort of Project exposure is good exposure. I'd also suggest looking at some courses (maybe within your chapter) where you can look at getting some theory into your head rather than just practical experience.
Good luck and welcome to the fab world of Projects!
Thank you Emily.
I am currently looking at some courses to give me more exposure to PM. Thank you for your response. Saving Changes...
Hello Haifa... The Health Care field is rapidly growing now due to the Affordable Care Act and project managers are in demand.
Volunteer with your local PMI Chapter to gain some exposure. You have to be a bit of a renaissance person to be a successful project manager. You need skills and natural abilities that range from being a tactical problem solver to reading the nuances of human behavior.
Tips for New Project Managers:
1) Listen and engage
2) Be a problem solver
3) Be an effective team player
4) Know your project management tools
5) Know your customers
6) Learn how to read people
7) Find a project management mentor
8) Enjoy taking on responsibility without full authority
9) Embrace change
10) Get your PMP certification because getting credentials can be an asset to any career
11) Be kind, be honest, have a sense of humor
You're off to a good start. All the best to you!
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1 reply by Haifa Baptiste
Sep 18, 2016 11:30 PM
Haifa Baptiste
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Chaucene,
Thank for your response. I've gotten a lot of suggestions to volunteer with my local chapter, I will look into that. Thank you for taking this time to provide all these useful tips. I really appreciate it.
Saving Changes...
Jon DuFresneVP of Operations - PMP| Computer Physicians, Inc.Glendale, Ca, United States
Starting with the PMBOK is a good start. The "PMP Exam Prep, Eighth Edition" by Rita Mulcahy is another useful source. It's a great supplement to the PMBOK because it's laid out in layman terms.
Volunteering with your local PMI Chapter is a great way to network with other Project Managers.
If you're writing grants, you've already got projects in motion. Best of luck to you!
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