Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
We’re all familiar with the circular problem of needing experience to get a project management job, but also needing a project management job to get the required experience. I wonder if established PMs can do more to help out. For example, even setting aside for aspiring PMs a few non-critical tasks that can be performed virtually would help them log hours and bolster their resumes.
That’s just a thought off the top of my head. If anyone has others, please share them. Saving Changes...
I do offer internships. Over the years I have had more than 15 interns. Currently, I have three interns working with me - they are all doing MSc in PM and i get them to work on our methodology to manage projects. We currently have one working on a website enhancement project and two working on PM Seminar Series
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2 replies by Anish Abraham and Eric Simms
Mar 22, 2018 5:03 PM
Anish Abraham
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Glad to know that, Mounir and I appreciate your willingness to do this.
Mar 22, 2018 5:18 PM
Eric Simms
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That's wonderful, Mounir. In my present position my resource options are constrained, but I'm working on creating an intern program so I can start it soon after I move to a position where I have more hiring freedom.
Saving Changes...
Anish AbrahamPrivacy Program Manager| University of WashingtonAuburn, Wa, United States
Glad to know that, Mounir and I appreciate your willingness to do this. Saving Changes...
Anish AbrahamPrivacy Program Manager| University of WashingtonAuburn, Wa, United States
Good topic, Eric.
I usually get emails from aspiring PMs asking about how to get project management experience. I know that they can approach local chapters or PMI.org for virtual opportunities. But it will be really nice if experienced PMs can offer some insights on this. I did some internships for masters students in the past, but somehow it didn't worked out very well.
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1 reply by Eric Simms
Mar 22, 2018 5:22 PM
Eric Simms
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What happened with the internships you implemented? I have never implemented one, so there are doubtless many pitfalls of which I'm unaware.
Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
That's wonderful, Mounir. In my present position my resource options are constrained, but I'm working on creating an intern program so I can start it soon after I move to a position where I have more hiring freedom. Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
Mar 22, 2018 5:14 PM
Replying to Anish Abraham
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Good topic, Eric.
I usually get emails from aspiring PMs asking about how to get project management experience. I know that they can approach local chapters or PMI.org for virtual opportunities. But it will be really nice if experienced PMs can offer some insights on this. I did some internships for masters students in the past, but somehow it didn't worked out very well.
What happened with the internships you implemented? I have never implemented one, so there are doubtless many pitfalls of which I'm unaware.
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1 reply by Anish Abraham
Mar 22, 2018 11:02 PM
Anish Abraham
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I was expecting the interns to be committed in what they were doing, but in reality they were just playing around and were interested only in getting their experience certificate. I tried this for 2-3 years, some of them were good but most of the time I was wasting my time.
In the past, I took fresh graduates and trained them on site intensively and I had some success and some fail. Saving Changes...
Anish AbrahamPrivacy Program Manager| University of WashingtonAuburn, Wa, United States
Mar 22, 2018 5:22 PM
Replying to Eric Simms
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What happened with the internships you implemented? I have never implemented one, so there are doubtless many pitfalls of which I'm unaware.
I was expecting the interns to be committed in what they were doing, but in reality they were just playing around and were interested only in getting their experience certificate. I tried this for 2-3 years, some of them were good but most of the time I was wasting my time.
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1 reply by Eric Simms
Mar 23, 2018 8:56 AM
Eric Simms
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Hmm... I wonder if there is some way to vet interns beforehand, or a way to let others know if the interns do not perform well. I suppose making them come in for an interview might help. I would think the person for whom they interned would have to sign off on their experience certificate; I believe that is how some internship programs work.
Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
Mar 22, 2018 11:02 PM
Replying to Anish Abraham
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I was expecting the interns to be committed in what they were doing, but in reality they were just playing around and were interested only in getting their experience certificate. I tried this for 2-3 years, some of them were good but most of the time I was wasting my time.
Hmm... I wonder if there is some way to vet interns beforehand, or a way to let others know if the interns do not perform well. I suppose making them come in for an interview might help. I would think the person for whom they interned would have to sign off on their experience certificate; I believe that is how some internship programs work.
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1 reply by Anish Abraham
Mar 23, 2018 11:04 AM
Anish Abraham
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We did the interviews before selecting the interns, but since this was not a paid internship, they didn't give lots of importance. I had to spend lots of time going through resumes, and conducting interview etc.
Saving Changes...
Anish AbrahamPrivacy Program Manager| University of WashingtonAuburn, Wa, United States
Mar 23, 2018 8:56 AM
Replying to Eric Simms
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Hmm... I wonder if there is some way to vet interns beforehand, or a way to let others know if the interns do not perform well. I suppose making them come in for an interview might help. I would think the person for whom they interned would have to sign off on their experience certificate; I believe that is how some internship programs work.
We did the interviews before selecting the interns, but since this was not a paid internship, they didn't give lots of importance. I had to spend lots of time going through resumes, and conducting interview etc.
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1 reply by Eric Simms
Mar 23, 2018 12:45 PM
Eric Simms
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Thanks for sharing. I'm really surprised the interns didn't care. If suppose if I select interns from an educational course I'll have to look for programs where my feedback determines whether or not they get credit for the internship. I believe students in programs like this would have to care about their performance.
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Paul HollingsIT Project Manager| Self EmployedHerne Bay, Kent, United Kingdom
Alternatively, in a larger organisation you may be able to take graduates in a project admin or coordinator role with a development track. In the UK many universities want students to do work placements, try reaching out to your nearest to see if you can work together to take one or two each academic year. Saving Changes...
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