Val EatonScrum Master| EndavaHarrisburg, Nc, United States
I will graduate with my Master's in Project Management in August 2018. My current role isn't project focused, however I have project experience. I'm currently soul searching - taking the PMP and/or searching for an entry level PM position. I think it would be helpful to learn from this community.
What was your first project management job?
How did you find the job? (networking, search/interview)
How did it help you to where you are now?
My first pure PM role was leading a project in a domain in which I'd been a solution lead for a few years which made the transition easy. I'd worked with the client before (as a solution lead) and they had need of a PM for the next set of capabilities related to the solution so it was a natural fit.
That initial experience helped me realize the criticality of a people-first approach to the profession vs. the hard skills which I'd assumed were important looking at it from the outside in.
With regards to your own journey, my suggestion would be to gain some more hands-on PM experience before pursuing the PMP otherwise you might be seen as overly paper-qualified.
Kiron
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1 reply by Val Eaton
Mar 27, 2018 9:43 PM
Val Eaton
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Thank you for sharing your experience and advise. I agree. Personally and currently, the experience will be more rewarding than the PMP.
Saving Changes...
Nandkishor KhidkikarProject Manager Engr/Technical Manager Currently Seeking New Opportunities| CSSGB & Applied Project Management at University of California Irvine GPA 4.0Norwalk, Ca, United States
My first project Management job was to lead and engineer a medium sized project in a chemical plant. The experience taught me many aspects of project management and I learned PM by doing. Followed by several other small and medium sized projects. I decided to study project management as art and science therefore in January 2018 I joined University of California Irvine and currently studying Applied Project Management. This certificate program will qualify me to take PMP exam of PMI.
Nand
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1 reply by Val Eaton
Mar 27, 2018 9:45 PM
Val Eaton
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Nand,
Thank you for sharing your experience and background. Good luck in your studies for the PMP.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
My first job was as a Junior Engineer / Project Coordinator - I learned a lot which made me believe that this is the right position for a new practitioner to start.
The company came from overseas looking for new graduates at my university so I was interviewed and hired while I was working as a research and teaching assistant.
My journey started from there. Leaving from Jerusalem to Qatar / Gulf Region for 8 Years then Shanghai 3 Years before I moved permanently to Canada.
Good Luck to you Val - Best Wishes with your career path.
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1 reply by Val Eaton
Mar 27, 2018 9:47 PM
Val Eaton
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Rami,
Thank you for sharing your background. I think a Project Coordinator role would be a perfect first position to dive into the PM field. Good luck to you as well!
Yes another slang term Rami lol. Sometimes it felt like I was falling out of a plane though on that project ;-)
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Mar 27, 2018 10:39 PM
Rami Kaibni
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Haha I hear you mate.
Saving Changes...
Michael DelaneyPartner| Delaney Management LLCWest Chester, Pa, United States
I started out as a project engineer with a strong knowledge of project management, I went through a series of consulting jobs which were project based. Eventually I was pulled into a Y2K remediation project in distress and help turn it around and left with a title as senior project manager. With most positions, I got them by referral by people who knew that I got things done and brought me in. A constant through all the roles I have had was a basis of getting the job done and using many of the core project management tenets.
You should look for opportunity not as a PM put as someone who can accomplish a goal. I see you are attending WCU, which is a part of the UNC university system, they are constantly doing system-wide projects. In your current role I am sure you can make contact with people who may know of these initiatives which are always looking for people to get things done.
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1 reply by Val Eaton
Mar 27, 2018 9:52 PM
Val Eaton
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Michael,
Thank you for sharing your experience and advice. Furthering my contact base in the UNC System is a great idea - maybe a few volunteer opportunities.
Saving Changes...
Lenka PincotChief of Staff to the CEO| Project Management InstituteParis, France
Hi Val, I was on a pretty junior position in management consultancy and was appointed as a team member on a project but suddenly everything went wrong and I had to overtake a leading role until the company found a new project manager. It was great experience and it brought me to project management discipline as such though I was actually never project manager by a job title (I am now but it’s a volunteering part time assignment which I do because I’m on parental leave). But I did a lot of project management that was part of my job roles, I did project management trainings as a trainer, portfolio management. Project management is actually present almost everywhere in companies and it’s strongly needed even if your job title is not a Project Manager.
I agree with Kiron, it’s hard to be hired as a project manager without a track record. I would suggest to look around and take opportunities for active project roles in your current assignment. It does not have to be big for a start. Company leaders appreciate your initiative and will give you more stretch assignments later and you may gradually move a project manager role. Or you may look at volunteering opportunities as project manager to create a track record. I think it’s key to gain experience to have respect from teams you are going to lead.
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1 reply by Val Eaton
Mar 27, 2018 9:54 PM
Val Eaton
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Lenka,
What a great way to step into a PM position! Thank you for sharing your background and advice. And I agree, making progress in experience is more beneficial. I have some opportunities in my current role, however, volunteering could also be a great addition. Thanks again!
Saving Changes...
Val EatonScrum Master| EndavaHarrisburg, Nc, United States
Mar 27, 2018 4:58 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Val -
My first pure PM role was leading a project in a domain in which I'd been a solution lead for a few years which made the transition easy. I'd worked with the client before (as a solution lead) and they had need of a PM for the next set of capabilities related to the solution so it was a natural fit.
That initial experience helped me realize the criticality of a people-first approach to the profession vs. the hard skills which I'd assumed were important looking at it from the outside in.
With regards to your own journey, my suggestion would be to gain some more hands-on PM experience before pursuing the PMP otherwise you might be seen as overly paper-qualified.
Kiron
Thank you for sharing your experience and advise. I agree. Personally and currently, the experience will be more rewarding than the PMP. Saving Changes...
Val EatonScrum Master| EndavaHarrisburg, Nc, United States
Mar 27, 2018 5:24 PM
Replying to Nandkishor Khidkikar
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My first project Management job was to lead and engineer a medium sized project in a chemical plant. The experience taught me many aspects of project management and I learned PM by doing. Followed by several other small and medium sized projects. I decided to study project management as art and science therefore in January 2018 I joined University of California Irvine and currently studying Applied Project Management. This certificate program will qualify me to take PMP exam of PMI.
Nand
Nand,
Thank you for sharing your experience and background. Good luck in your studies for the PMP. Saving Changes...
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