Are you strategically or passively job searching?
If you are considering project management as the next chapter in your career, are you making a strategic and conscious decision or job hunting out of an emotional or financial need?
Are you being thoughtful and intentional in your job search preparedness or passively sending out your generic resume to every and any project manager job posting?
If your approach has been to apply to every and any project manager job posting, then you most likely have had little success in finding the best project manager role that is aligned with your skills, experience and interest. Or worse, you secured a project manager role and you are under performing in your responsibilities, due to lack of thoughtful alignment of your abilities and the responsibilities of the role.
Strategic Transformation into Becoming a Project Manager
As I wrote this blog, I wondered how best to convey the importance and the value of the transformative stages in becoming a project manager.
Before I delve into what the transformative process is, let’s first clarify what the word "transform" means. The word transform means to change and as an emerging project manager with limited formal training and experience, you are transforming or changing into a project professional.
Now, let's consider the word "stage". The word stage means a period of time or step in a process or development. As an emerging project manager, you experience stages in your project manager development, acquiring unique insights and learning opportunities.
Strategic transformation as an emerging project manager yields:
A project manager mindset
Understanding project management principles
Acquisition and improvement of project management skills
Securing a job as project manager
Inspired by the life-cycle of a butterfly, so too is the transformative process of an emerging project manager. Having gone through all four stages of the life-cycle as an emerging project manager, I would describe this strategic and transformative process as a learning and growth opportunity which is neither simple or smooth.
My Transformative Process
At the time of my transformative project manager process, I had fifteen years of professional experience as program administrator in the nonprofit sector and public sector and a Master of Public Administration degree. What I did not have was formal training, experience, or certifications in project management.
Although, I considered taking project management training, my life was full with being a first time mom to a then toddler, work was highly demanding and unsatisfying and I dared not take on additional educational expenses. I was emotionally and financially desperate to find another job, however, I did not need another "job", I wanted to change careers and be in a role that was aligned to my skills, abilities and my professional interest.
My Strategy for Taking Control of My Career Pivot
I will confess, I used my emotional and financial desperation, as fuel to plan ahead for my career pivot into project management. I know that my intentionality around my project manager preparedness is what served me through my year long process of transforming into a project manager before securing a project management role.
In Martin Yate's article published in SHRM,"Are You Changing Jobs or Making a Strategic Career Move?", the author talks about, "Plan your strategic career move well ahead" and that's what I did instinctively.
Here are the four strategies I used, which I developed a into a four-stage life cycle of an emerging project manager.
Online research: I began researching and reading about the project management field.
Networking: Through my online research, I leveraged LinkedIn to identify, who in my network I can speak to about project management and changing my career path.
Job Searching: In the initial stages of my project manager job search, I did not apply to project manager roles, instead I read job descriptions to understand the project manager job function, skills and educational requirements of the role and the industry of the role.
By the way, the picture above is me on my first day on the job as a project manager within my organization, however, in a different department. I moved in order to grow!
Four-Stage Life Cycle of an Emerging Project Manager
Stage 1: Exploration Definition: In this stage, emerging project managers begin to explore the field of project management and assess their interest and aptitude for the role. They identify their transferable skills and strengths that can be applied to project management, such as organization, communication, and problem-solving.
The focus at this stage is on:
Acquiring foundational knowledge through self-study, online courses, or formal education in project management. For example, Google Project Management Certificate.
Familiarizing themselves with project management tools, methodologies, and best practices. Examples of project management methodologies are, Agile, Hybrid, Waterfall.
Understanding the project management lifecycle and the roles and responsibilities involved. IBM SkillsBuild is a great resource for learning about PM.
Goal: Emerging project managers gain clarity on their career goals and develop a basic understanding of project management principles.
Stage 2: Skill Development Definition: The skill development stage focuses on acquiring the foundational skills and knowledge needed for a junior level project manager role. Emerging project managers may engage in some or all of these activities:
Participating in small-scale projects within their organization or volunteer work. Talk to your supervisor about your interest and propose volunteering your time on special projects.
Developing skills in risk management, resource allocation, stakeholder management, and communication.
Building a professional network and seeking mentorship from experienced project managers. Social platforms such as LinkedIn are a great resource for building your professional network.
Goal: Emerging project managers engage in skill-building activities to enhance their project management capabilities. Newly acquired skills can be applied to practical and simple project scenarios.
Stage 3: Practical Experience Definition: In the practical experience stage, emerging project managers gain experience through hands-on involvement in project management activities.
Emerging project managers seek opportunities to apply their skills in real-world projects:
Obtaining professional certifications, by organizations such as the Project Management Institute (PMI) - Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or Project Management Professional (PMP).
Seeking opportunities to lead or co-lead small to medium-sized projects.
Enhancing project management tools proficiency and adapting to different project management methodologies.
Goal: Emerging project managers gain valuable experience by working on actual projects and collaborating with team members.
Stage 4: Transition to Project Manager Definition: The transition stage to a project manager role marks the culmination of the transformation journey. Emerging project managers leverage their skills, knowledge, and practical experience:
Apply to junior level project management positions within their organizations or in the job market
Manage small to medium-sized projects independently, applying their acquired skills and knowledge.
Continuously enhance their project management capabilities through ongoing professional development and experience.
Goal: Emerging project managers transform from a learner to a practitioner, embracing new challenges, and continuing to grow and develop as project management professionals.
Emergence as a Project Manager
The four stage life-cycle transformative process of an emerging project manager, is a strategic process that is filled with learning and growth opportunities. The process prepares and conditions an emerging project manager on what is needed to become a competent project manager.
Changing careers requires a high level of planning and commitment. Pivoting to project management requires strategic planning and preparation in transforming into an emerging project manager.
Consider completing the activities in each stage of the life-cycle and leave a comment about your job searching experience.
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