How do you learn about new ways to advance your career?
Hi! I am new to working on projects and am looking for advice on how to get started on a career in project management. Can anyone give me suggestions or tips for quickly moving forward? Thanks! Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Get yourself a project, Megan. Whether it be personal, professional or volunteer, just start practising working through a project from beginning to end.
Offer to manage a friend's wedding, volunteer at a charitable organization to manage an event, or ask at work to manage a fund-raising activity.
Any and all of these are opportunities to put project management skills into practice. Saving Changes...
To complement Stéphane's response, I'd recommend taking a basic foundational course on PM so that you don't develop any bad habits. Project management, like golf, goes better if you learn it the right way first!
Kiron Saving Changes...
Dinah YoungProject Manager / Software Asset Manager| Prince William CountySpringfield, Va, United States
If you have the opportunity, you can also "shadow" a project manager. Learn from them. Saving Changes...
Enrique AparicioPROJECT MANAGER| DATEC Ltda.La Paz, Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
other way to improve your knowledge is reading the journals and papers related to PM Saving Changes...
Get involved in any project you can, read good books on PM, then get certified either as a CAPM or PMP. Saving Changes...
Deepa KalangiManager, Program Management, Author, Trainer| CVS HealthCharlotte, NC, United States
When I was in QA field, I used to talk to the PM's as a healthy discussion and seek some inputs on how they work on their project plans etc. Later, I read articles, participated in forums etc, took a formal Project Management Training - online. I still get updated with latest PM articles, after having worked for many large companies, executing large, complex programs. But like fellow peers have mentioned, volunteering, will help tremendously. There are also some books on Amazon- Project Management area- you can get those and maybe read? I keep a blog- www.careerbuggy.com, if you would like to hop on for some insights. Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
If you are currently working on projects, then get involved in the community, here and your local Chapter, to learn from your peer's experience. Otherwise, as Deepa suggests, start engaging with the PM's in your current organization, but still get involved here and your Chapter. Look up some courses at your local Community College, or online from places like Lynda or Udemy. When you are ready, look at volunteer opportunities from your Chapter.
May I ask, what is your current role or expertise in? Sometimes entering the field through an analyst role is the most practical way in. Most analyst roles either perform PM work or at a minimum, are an integral part of such.
Good luck! Saving Changes...
Mansoor MustafaSenior PM| Government DepartmentRawalpindi Punjab, Pakistan
In my views you can master your skills only by practicing project manager. Rest my colleagues has already advice you Saving Changes...
Try to start in an assistant role in a PMO. That provides you first insights and practical experience, but also some good overview on the project management processes. Saving Changes...
Kamal SalawuMechnical Project Engineer| Atkinsrealis United KingdomOxford, United Kingdom
Get a proper understanding of managing a project from the smallest event like organised a year old birthday party. Then watch the recorded webinars on delivering a complex and mega project from this platform.
Benefit yourself by reading PMI today and PMI network these two journals are valuable material for gaining insight into project management professional. Saving Changes...
