Erich KoroschetzManaging Director| ProGradient Professional ServicesBarrie, Ontario, Canada
Hi all. This is my first post in the community. So glad to have this as a support network.
I recently relocated and am interested in making a sector leap from industrial construction and business management. I've been trying to secure employment with institutional and commercial projects, but I also recognize I'm "pigeon-hole"ing myself to stay so tied to construction management. I'm considering health-care or marketing project management with a long term view of venturing into consultancy in 10 - 15 years. Can anyone offer any recommendations on how to break into a new sector? Lessons learned? A return to school is not an option.
Would appreciate any feedback! Saving Changes...
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Bruce Gay Principal Consultant| Astrevo LabsPittsburgh, Pa, United States
Erich,
My career has spanned international aid contracting - telecommunications - consulting - software development - healthcare IT, but the common thread has been project management.
Since you want to try your hand at a new industry, my advice is to play up your PM expertise as well as the complexity & size of projects that you managed. The processes and professional jargon that you learned within construction may not be transferable, but your PM chops certainly are. And in fact, employers should be hiring you for you PM skills and how you manage people.
Healthcare IT in the United States right now is in need of PMs. (I am not sure how the situation in Canada is.) That would be a good industry to look at.
Good luck! Saving Changes...
Erich KoroschetzManaging Director| ProGradient Professional ServicesBarrie, Ontario, Canada
Thanks for the feedback Bruce!
You've really affirmed what I believe. Recently in discussion with a friend who works as nurse, she relayed the horror story of a Information Management System deployment that was abandoned for lack of proper PM aptitudes. I've had some experience with IMS deployments, as well as some other software integration projects, so that's helpful. You're also right that so much of what makes any project in any industry advance hinges on the ability to navigate personnel management issues.
Thanks again! I'll for sure continue pressing in on the industry shift.
