Who is an Emerging Project Manager
At Project Manager Lab, we define an emerging project manager as an individual who has limited experience in project management and is relatively new to the field. This includes professionals transitioning from other industries, bringing along transferable skills and experiences.
An emerging project manager is typically in the process of building their expertise, by developing their skills, knowledge, and experience in the project management industry.
My Career Pivot to Project Management
Like you, I was an emerging project manager five years ago. I had eleven years of not-for-profit sector experience and five years of public sector experience, in non-pm roles. With my combined years of professional experience, I had no formal training, experience or certifications in project management. I was a professional with a Master degree in Public Administration, and program administrator skills and experience.
While experiencing success in my public sector career, I was not completely fulfilled in my day-to-day role and responsibilities. I began noticing the inefficiencies in the programs I was managing and began exploring what were the root causes of those inefficiencies.
For example, there were disconnects in some of the workflow processes and I began to pay closer attention to the systems implemented. For instance, we depended on paper-based application processes, and in other areas, we under utilized some technological tools available to us.
Although my frustrations grew with our antiquated systems, I channeled my frustrations
into curiosity, which led me to the field of process improvement, which eventually led me down the path to the field of project management.
My Transformation into an Emerging Project Manager
I began researching and reading about the project management field.My pivot into project management was a slow and an intentional process with a great deal of teachable moments. In addition to managing my career pivot, I was also balancing life as a wife and a first-time mom of a toddler. As with many of us, a career pivot has to factor in our lifestyle both personally and professionally.
Between my research, networking and job searching, and family obligations, my transition into project management was not simple. With a great deal of things I had to consider, I forged ahead and navigated through a transformative process as an emerging project manager, which did yield the successful results of becoming a project manager.
Stages of Becoming an Emerging Project Manager
My transformative journey as an emerging project manager was a four-stage transition process.
In each stage there is an evolving mindset and embodiment of project management practices and professional development. Here are the four stages one can expect to navigate when becoming a project manager.
Stage 1: Exploration Definition: In this stage, emerging project managers explore project management and assess their interest and skills.They gain clarity on career goals and understand project management principles.
Stage 2: Skill Development Definition: The focus is on acquiring foundational skills for junior project manager roles.The emerging project manager enhances project management capabilities for practical application.
Stage 3: Practical Experience Definition: In this stage, emerging project managers gain hands-on experience in project management by working on real-world projects. They acquire valuable experience by collaborating with team members.
Stage 4: Transition to Project Manager Definition: This stage involves applying acquired skills to junior project manager positions. The emerging project manager transitions from learner to practitioner, embracing new challenges and growing as a project management professional.
Emergence as a Project Manager
The journey of an emerging project manager unfolds through four transformative stages: Exploration, Skill Development, Practical Experience, and Transition to Project Manager. Each stage is a crucial stepping stone towards becoming a proficient project management professional.
As emerging project managers embrace these stages, they not only transform themselves but also contribute to the dynamic and ever-evolving field of project management. With determination and commitment, they can navigate this journey with confidence and emerge as successful project management practitioners, ready to tackle new challenges and lead impactful projects.
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