It's interesting to see that many of you came from similar backgrounds while also many of you had sort of just "fallen" in to PM.
I've been in logistics/freight forwarding the past 11 years and I can say the work is related. I definitely feel like an unofficial PM. In fact I am almost done reading a book which I find great value in that is called Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager. This book is gold and I think it speaks volumes in the sense that majority of us, even if in operations are often unofficial project managers.
Every freight forwarding move has the core fundamentals involved. There's initiating the move, planning how it will move, executing the move, controlling or monitoring the move, and then closing it after ultimately delivery is done.
In my seat I find the four behavioral fundamentals valuable too as I not only need to work with customers and vendors, but also warehouse personnel and management.
In my history, I was once a PM/sales for logistics involving International trade shows. I had no experience and decided to jump in the deep end. Unfortunately I did not have any good training or help so the deep end was my home while in the position. Obtaining that title gave me a sense of pride and was up for the challenge.
This is part reason which has led me to now taking training to obtain my CAPM cert and continue moving forward.
It's nice to see PM work can be related to most fields. I do not see much PM work within logistics, at least close to home. I am sure it can open up many doors with opportunities as well as increase my value in association to my operational work history.
Looking forward to the new journey and am pretty excited. I can now see an area of growth for me to really aim at. Saving Changes...
Derrick BourgeoisProject Manager| DXC TechnologyColorado Springs, Co, United States
I was an intermediate level Windows/Citrix System Administrator and looking for a way to move up. My manager told me that managing projects was a requirement to move to the next level so I borrowed a short book on project management and asked for a project. I managed a lot of small IT projects over the years after that but was not officially a "Project Manager" as my primary job until a few years ago. I was an IT Manager and one day they decided they would change the number of direct reports for first level managers from 12-15 to 40 so they didn't need as may managers. At that point I got my PMP and moved over to the PMO. Even so I still don't always manage projects. I also work as a ITIL/ITSM Service Manager so it just depends on where I'm needed. Saving Changes...
Celeste HaseltineSr. Program Manager| Softwaregod.comBedford, Tx, United States
Chemical/Nuclear engineer, started out managing Superfund cleanup projects and Air Permitting project for the US EPA. After 10 years working as an engineering PM, I did a career change into IT project management in the mid 90's, and have been managing IT projects ever since. In my case, I got tired of being a women in a male dominated field with no prospects for career advancement and no work/life balance. I did my career change to achieve a better work/life balance, much better opportunities for advancement, and far fewer "good old boys". I am now 3-4 years away from retirement, and can say my career change to IT was the best move I could have made.
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1 reply by Michael Brian
Apr 24, 2018 6:50 PM
Michael Brian
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How did you get started in IT and what age did you decide to make the change? Did you study for anything specific within IT before moving the PM route?
Congrats on your near retirement! That's exciting to look forward to!!
Chemical/Nuclear engineer, started out managing Superfund cleanup projects and Air Permitting project for the US EPA. After 10 years working as an engineering PM, I did a career change into IT project management in the mid 90's, and have been managing IT projects ever since. In my case, I got tired of being a women in a male dominated field with no prospects for career advancement and no work/life balance. I did my career change to achieve a better work/life balance, much better opportunities for advancement, and far fewer "good old boys". I am now 3-4 years away from retirement, and can say my career change to IT was the best move I could have made.
How did you get started in IT and what age did you decide to make the change? Did you study for anything specific within IT before moving the PM route?
Congrats on your near retirement! That's exciting to look forward to!! Saving Changes...
Erin HernandezProject Manager| Wolters KluwerSalem, NH, United States
I'm the odd one out here as I'm not in IT at all. I started in publishing in desktop publishing and then moved to Project management as the actual book composition work went offshore. I've been in publishing for 20 years now. Have had my PMP for one.
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1 reply by Deirdre Spencer
Apr 26, 2018 11:35 AM
Deirdre Spencer
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I started out in marketing web and print design, as a designer/developer, and later as an art director and web manager. My career as a project manager started when I was hired to redesign a website for a manufacturing company, and when that project was complete, my years of experience managing web projects and working with clients allowed me to segue to project management for the digital marketing team.
It's been so interesting to realize the creativity involved in successful project management: each day I get to not only use my communication and organization skills, but also put on my creative thinking cap to solve problems.
I'm excited to have just started working on my PMP certification—there's no turning back now!
Saving Changes...
William MellerIT Project, Program & Portfolio Manager| PolestarGothenburg, Sweden
I started my career at a Project Management environment in a PMO team in the IT industry. Saving Changes...
Deirdre SpencerPrincipal Program Manager, Digital Media GTM| AdobeOakland, Ca, United States
Apr 25, 2018 9:00 PM
Replying to Erin Hernandez
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I'm the odd one out here as I'm not in IT at all. I started in publishing in desktop publishing and then moved to Project management as the actual book composition work went offshore. I've been in publishing for 20 years now. Have had my PMP for one.
I started out in marketing web and print design, as a designer/developer, and later as an art director and web manager. My career as a project manager started when I was hired to redesign a website for a manufacturing company, and when that project was complete, my years of experience managing web projects and working with clients allowed me to segue to project management for the digital marketing team.
It's been so interesting to realize the creativity involved in successful project management: each day I get to not only use my communication and organization skills, but also put on my creative thinking cap to solve problems.
I'm excited to have just started working on my PMP certification—there's no turning back now!
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2 replies by Dinah Young and Erin Hernandez
Apr 26, 2018 11:39 AM
Dinah Young
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Good luck in your path towards PMP certification
Apr 26, 2018 2:27 PM
Erin Hernandez
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Good luck with the PMP. It is intense but I'm very happy I did it!
Saving Changes...
Dinah YoungProject Manager / Software Asset Manager| Prince William CountySpringfield, Va, United States
Apr 26, 2018 11:35 AM
Replying to Deirdre Spencer
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I started out in marketing web and print design, as a designer/developer, and later as an art director and web manager. My career as a project manager started when I was hired to redesign a website for a manufacturing company, and when that project was complete, my years of experience managing web projects and working with clients allowed me to segue to project management for the digital marketing team.
It's been so interesting to realize the creativity involved in successful project management: each day I get to not only use my communication and organization skills, but also put on my creative thinking cap to solve problems.
I'm excited to have just started working on my PMP certification—there's no turning back now!
Good luck in your path towards PMP certification Saving Changes...
Amir AliProject Manager| Northbay Solutions Pvt LtdLahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Almost similar to what Dinah mentioned, I started my career in IT as software engineer. With more experience in lead and managing role I found myself more comfortable in management. Then I proceeded as official track and obtained certification of PMP as well. Now, I am feeling quite confident and satisfied with what I am as 'Project Manager'. Saving Changes...
Erin HernandezProject Manager| Wolters KluwerSalem, NH, United States
Apr 26, 2018 11:35 AM
Replying to Deirdre Spencer
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I started out in marketing web and print design, as a designer/developer, and later as an art director and web manager. My career as a project manager started when I was hired to redesign a website for a manufacturing company, and when that project was complete, my years of experience managing web projects and working with clients allowed me to segue to project management for the digital marketing team.
It's been so interesting to realize the creativity involved in successful project management: each day I get to not only use my communication and organization skills, but also put on my creative thinking cap to solve problems.
I'm excited to have just started working on my PMP certification—there's no turning back now!
Good luck with the PMP. It is intense but I'm very happy I did it! Saving Changes...
