Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
When I first graduated as an engineer majoring in Structures, I spent a few years doing design then during my interaction with the site team, I noticed the liveliness of their day to day work. Design becomes somehow routine after a certain period of time while in project management, everyday (Sometimes every hour) is a new day in terms of Interaction with people, Communication & Networking, Management, Planning. Saving Changes...
I think I was alway a project manger, started my career by creating a business of developing software for clients. It is just later that I learn of project management. Saving Changes...
This question is quite challenging to answer clearly.
I, myself, did not decide to become a project manager but my organization did appoint me as a project manager based on my experience and previous performance in the field. However, I really wanted to be the project manager whenever the projects I attended were not managed well and failed to meet the project requirements. Those failures gave me a lot. I learnt that many projects are failed not because we don't know what to do but because we don't know what will happen tomorrow. Saving Changes...
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
In my case it was when I realized that I did not want to spend the rest of my working life in a laboratory doing R&D. Whilst I do enjoy working in an innovative company, I pursued PM opportunities because it very closely matches what I want do it, what I enjoy and (do not want to sound cocky!) what I believe I am good at. I found the Element, as Sir Ken Robinson would put it. Saving Changes...
LORI WILSONRETIRED - Technical Project Manager| RETIRED - LifePoint HealthClarkston, Wa, United States
What a good question. Made me think. Somehow others recognized my skills for project management before I did. I was sought out by others in Marketing to begin managing some projects that were growing and needed some shepherding, that grew to some program management and then when I switched companies, I applied for a project management position. This led to pursuing my PMP and growing my skills over the years. It has been such a fun journey of continual growth and learning. I think there were some natural skills that I am now able to apply best practices too. Maybe those of us who find ourselves in this field were born with some of these skills? Perhaps that is what has drawn us to project management. Saving Changes...
Wade HarshmanScrum Master| GDITIndianapolis, In, United States
If I can answer "Why" instead of "When," it was because PM skills can be successfully applied across so many industries. I was attracted to large and diverse number of opportunities that project management opens. I still enjoy the fact that I can sit at a table with other project managers and share common experiences, even though one is in construction, another is in IT, another in pharmaceuticals, another in business improvement, etc. Saving Changes...
I decided to become a project manager when after 10 years of working life I realized that I need the organization and the processes in the elaboration of construction projects. Really are very important in any project and today there is a lot of disorder and lack of planning. Saving Changes...
Ed Tsyitee JrConsultant | Consultant Tucson, Az, United States
After I graduated with my Masters in Human Resource Management, I begin to notice a lot of "entry level" jobs for HR that required strong project management skills. This was for HR Administrator, HR Coordinator, and even graduate level programs in HR. So, after a few months of debating, I decided to go back to school to pursue a graduate certificate in Project Management. The school conducted a degree audit and sure!! you can earn a certificate-that will take 6 courses. But, if you take 9 classes you'll have your second Masters degree. Well, that was a no brainer-why take 6 classes and just leave 3 on the table? In December of 2015, I was conferred with a Masters in Project Management. That's how I decided to change careers and start a career in project management. And, in June 2016 I earned my CAPM. I'm not working right now because I am having an immensely difficult time finding "entry level" project management positions-since most require 2+ years experience or a background in IT, construction, or project management. Saving Changes...
I really never did decide. It was sort of decided for me. I was part of a small group that had an assignment to solve a math problem. There were about 7 or 8 of us - no leader and no PM.
We worked on it for a few months, then one day my boss told me I was now the leader of the group and I was the Project Manager. The whole conversion from engineer to PM took maybe 10 minutes at most. That was my first time to manage a project. After that -- it's all I've done, project after project, then programs.
"Accidental PM" Saving Changes...
Mudassar KhanProgram (Project )Manager| Woodward Canada IncPeterborough, ON, Canada
When I first graduated as an engineer majoring in Electrical Engineering , I spent a few years doing Renewable Energy Field Works and during my interaction with the project team, I noticed the liveliness of their day to day work. Field works becomes routine after a certain period of time while in project management, everyday (Sometimes every hour) is a new day in terms of Interaction with People, Communication & Networking, Management, Planning, Resolving Conflicts and finding Work Arounds Saving Changes...
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