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I’m currently looking to go into project management? But I’m not sure where to start.

Advisor

Gisselle Curnutt Sanford, NC

Hello I’m current military spouses still exploring new opportunities and I would like to know more about project management or how to gain more experience in that field?

10 June 2022 5 replies Career Exploration

Answers

Advisor

Yann Jugeat Lacey, WA

Hi Giselle,
I'm a PM for a Software Company. While I was in the military, I was a logistician/maintainer. If you'd like I can discuss how I became a PM in a different industry. I was hired without IT experience and without my PMP cert (although I have it now) and it wasn't because I networked myself into this position. Anyone can become a PM with the right mindframe. I can share my PM resume with you.
Yann

Advisor

Henry ("Dr. Hank") Stevens Fort Lauderdale, FL

How about taking a step back and explore YOUR talents. Then, with that knowledge in hand, you could be pursuing something that you not only want to do but enjoy doing?

As a vocational counselor and human resources professional (for many years), I find that most every applicant and employer wants to focus on experience and education. That is too bad because whether looking to fill a position or seeking other employment, the real question is, from the employers' perspective, "What are the TALENTS necessary to do this job?"; and from the applicants' perspective, "What are MY talents and how do they fit in with the demands of the job?"

If you are nodding your head so far, then consider this: having a "good education" means that you CAN learn. Having an appropriate exposure to past like-experiences means . . . . well . . . . not much. But, if you have the talent (which cannot be taught) then you have the necessary building blocks that neither education nor experience can provide.

One simple example: If you were to be hiring for a receptionist position, do you want someone who is an introvert or an extrovert? Would you want someone who is shy or outgoing? I think the answer is apparent as extroversion and an outgoing nature cannot be taught in the classroom or from experience.

All of which baits the question, JUST WHAT ARE YOUR TALENTS?

Almost the first thing I do, when taking on a new client, is to have them take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). That provides an initial assessment of someone's inherent talents. At the bottom of this note, I have provided you with a link to a FREE assessment tool. It helps you come to grips with defining YOUR talents and provides some good ideas about the career direction someone with your combination of talents should look into.

If you want my thinking about the results of this assessment (also FREE to Vets & spouses!), please provide me with the letter and numbers associated with each of them. It should look something like I - 20, N - 45, T - 28, & J - 10. Feel free to contact me off this channel at hlstevens42@GMAIL.com

TALENT trumps education and experience every time!

Here is the link: http://www.humanmetrics.com/hr/jtypesresult.aspx

Advisor

Richard Byrne Hillsborough, NJ

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_management
https://www.scrum.org
https://www.scrum.org/resources

Introduction to Project Management (2020) video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBSCvPYGnTc

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_project_management_certifications
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Management_Institute
https://www.pmi.org
https://www.pmi.org/certifications
https://www.pmi.org/learning

If you do job searches for Project Management, you could see what requirements are preferred to supplement your knowledge, or just try entry level with your current education.

I've added job search links to my EE webpage under these sections that might be useful:
http://eehot.com/ee.html#jobs - commercial job searches
http://eehot.com/ee.html#gjobs - Fed Gov job searches

Commercial Job search Project Management, your location (30 jobs found)
https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=project%20Mamageent&l=Sanford%2C%20NC&sc=0kf%3Aattr(EXSNN%7CFCGTU%7CHFDVW%7CQJZM9%7CUTPWG%252COR)%3B&vjk=079ea9161b999d40

Same search modified for entry level: (6 jobs found)
https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=project%20management&l=Sanford%2C%20NC&sc=0kf%3Aattr(EXSNN%7CFCGTU%7CHFDVW%7CQJZM9%7CUTPWG%252COR)explvl(ENTRY_LEVEL)%3B&vjk=8510d4eef3afd86c

Advisor

Thomas Schott Bradenton, FL

Hi Gisselle,
If you are looking to start a PM position in a new company/organization without any experience, I'd suggest the following:
1. Obtain one of the appropriate PM certifications from PMI where possible. This credential is often a screening requirement for a position and demonstrates some knowledge of the topic.
2. Look for a PMA role in a larger PM organization. These positions are often more administrative or focus on a part of the project management activities (i.e. scheduling, finance). This will give you experience in project management with some oversight.

Advisor

ACP AdvisorNet Staff New York, NY

Hi Gisselle,

Thank you for your question to ACP's Advisor Network. In the body of this comment, I have linked project management resources that you may find helpful.

https://www.military2pm.com/
https://www.veterans2work.org/
https://thedigitalprojectmanager.com/project-management-certification-complete-guide/

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