I am curious how you came to this work...did you study project management and then become a PM or did you find yourself doing this work and then pursued it as a profession? I'd love to hear your story!
Teresa Saving Changes...
Gail KaufmanRetired (former project manager)CT, United States
I was a relocation consultant for many years and wanted to do something different. I was considering taking the path toward Account Manager. Then someone suggested I consider that account management is about ongoing long-term relationships with clients whereas projects have a beginning and an end. I like change, so I knew this was the path I wanted to pursue. Saving Changes...
Got a master degree in PM as a way to.re-enter into my former It proffession field. This happend after 12 years of doing property appraisals, curiously enough, i got into appraisals because i got tired of moving around several two year avaverage IT projects and havimg long periods of unemployment in.between. I just wanted to.have steady job as anyone else. By rhe way, moving out from IT for so.long resulted in a real career suicide, i took.me Over two.years to get a job back into an IT project. Saving Changes...
I had been working as a cost estimator supporting various Government/DoD programs for many years. However, the Government financial management process is primarily cyclical. After multiple cycles of doing various financial management activities under the DoD Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution System (PPBES), I got bored with it. I offered to assist with leading a small program's acquisition milestone documentation as I had been studying and taking online courses in program management for some time. A couple years later, I had the opportunity to make a career change permanently in to program management and acquisition, got my PMP certification, and haven't looked back once. I love the environment of program management so much more - managing risks, uncertainties, leading people. Everyday, I'm learning new things and growing. How can you beat that? Saving Changes...
Andrea ToppsSenior Project/Program Manager| DirecTVSaint Louis, Mo, United States
It was totally accidental for me. I was engaged via a peer at work, and had several conversations with a mentor, but had no idea the conversations I was having with these people, all related to the same thing.
When I became engaged with my PMN at work, I had no idea what I was getting into.
I am thankful I decided to go forth and challenge myself.
Out of 5 people I studied with to take the PMP, I was the only person that passed. This was all Devine Intervention for me. Saving Changes...
Jaleel .PMP, Associate Director| MetricStreamBangalore, India
For me, I think it was a step by step process. Started as programmer, technical lead and now a technical manager for an IT company. When I started managing projects, I realized how important it is to have project management knowledge specifically how and when to apply things. So I did my PMP which is helping to a great extent in getting things done in a planned approach and in handling uncertainties. Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning. This curiosity is what making me go and look for different aspects of project, program and portfolio management. Saving Changes...
What great stories! Like me, many of you are in your "chosen" field...only the field chose you! :) Thanks for sharing! Saving Changes...
Drake SettsuProject Manager / BloggerHi, United States
I'm an accidental PM. I got interested in PM work when I was a Systems Administrator. No one wanted to touch my projects because they were so complex. I had to plan out everything and work with cross-functional teams. I had to do all that PM work while still doing my Systems Administrator work.
Very rewarding experience getting me into the PM world. Saving Changes...
Noncedo NkalitshanaProject Coordinator| NoneCenturion, Gauteng, South Africa
That is actually a very good question, I must say I found myself doing this job, I started as an IT Technician Intern then when my internship was about to end, there was a position of a Project Coordinator and because I know I am a hard worker and a person who commits to everything I do, I did some research about the position and luckily for me I studied Project Management during my B Tech studies in Information Technology so it was easy for me to understand the job requirement. So I applied and did some other training related to the job and I am loving it, I love project Management so much as a result I am building my career in PM incorporating it with IT. Saving Changes...
Alejandro FernándezCommissioning Manager| CAF (Construcción y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles)Amstelveen, Netherlands
Hello Teresa,
this is really interesting topic to me.
In fact I have been working in Engineering for 15 years now. Still I am doing it and my professional title is Application Engineer.
Lately I was involved in PM for product developing. There are simple projects that takes about 6 months where I do engineering part and also PM.
Now I am looking for my first position as PM full time.
In order to get it I have obtained CAPM , completed some courses, and try to interact in social media with PM as much as possible, but I miss some experience that can be gather only working
So I would like to ask you:
What would you find valuable in a candidate to PM that has limited experience to be hired? Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
My boss told me I had to become certified. The certification did not bring anything new to my job at the time. It has, however, increased my visibility with employers, recruiters and clients. Saving Changes...
