How To Own Your Project Management Career

Project Management Career questions frequent my inbox and comment notifications.

I love them!

The Question

I received a great one from Biswa just recently:

Recently joined in a organisation as a Project Coordinator which provides IT Services to government. I have completed my MBA & having BCA > would it be the right way for my career. Please guide me by saying about the career growth.

I believe what Biswa is asking is whether or not he’s made a good career choice by taking on the project coordinator role.

I Don’t Know

Although I love helping new project managers achieve their career goals, I can’t answer this question. Why?

This is going to depend on several factors. What experience do you have? What is the project coordinator role specifically and in context with your organization? What are your career goals

I don’t have enough information to help, but I can enable anyone do this yourself. In fact, I put an entire online course together to help you through this process.

Own It

If you take nothing else away from this blog post, at least hear this.

You are your best advocate, and in the best position to develop and nurture your career path. Sure, there are tools and techniques available, and I’ve tried my best to lay them all out for you in a structured plan.

But the actual execution of this plan is completely up to you.

• I can give you lots of ideas for how to go gain experience managing projects, but the implementation is up to you.
• I can give you worksheets to help quantify your current career situation, formulate concrete goals, and plan your career path, but the execution is up to you.
• I can tell you how to network effectively, but getting out there and talking to people is up to you.
• I can teach you to target companies instead of waiting for job postings, but only you can do the research for your own career.

I see a pattern forming. It’s up to you. Own it!

Your Plan Of Attack

See the course outline below to get an idea of the activities I think are important in answering these questions for yourself and making things happen.

01-Starting Out (1-Intro) 9:54
01-Starting Out (2-My Story) 12:27
01-Starting Out (3-My Story) 13:29
01-Starting Out (4-What is your starting point?) 14:55 [worksheet included]
01-Starting Out (5-What is your starting point?) 12:02
01-Starting Out (6-Career Goals) 13:35
01-Starting Out (7-Career Goals) 13:48 [worksheet included]
02-Career Trajectory (1-Education) 12:11
02-Career Trajectory (2-Certifications) 10:42
02-Career Trajectory (2b-Certifications) 1 hr 20min
02-Career Trajectory (3-Experience) 6:44
02-Career Trajectory (3b-Experience Case Study) 5:08
02-Career Trajectory (4-Experience P2) 13:43
02-Career Trajectory (5-Plan Your Career) 9:17 [worksheet included]
03-Project Manager Career Interviews (1 Hour)
04-Professional Relationships (1-Professional Organizations and Networking Considerations) 23:34
04-Professional Relationships (2-Online Networking) 9:15
04-Professional Relationships (3-Offline Networking) 8:49
04-Professional Relationships (4-Common Networking Mistakes) 11:38
04-Professional Relationships (5-Organizations and Networking For You) [worksheet]
05-Job Seeking (1-Researching Organizations) 16:28
05-Job Seeking (2-Researching Organizations-Continued) 10:23
05-Job Seeking (3-Resume Writing Process) 13:12
05-Job Seeking (4-Resume Considerations) 10:53
05-Job Seeking (5-The Truthful Resume) 14:12
05-Job Seeking (6-Cover Letters) 14:45
05-Job Seeking (7-Portfolio – Your Secret Weapon) 17:41
05-Job Seeking (8-All About References) 10:57
05-Job Seeking (9a-Interview Preparation) 14:05
05-Job Seeking (9b-Interview Technique) 16:40
05-Job Seeking (9c-Interview Questions) 16:48
05-Job Seeking- (10-Offers) 6:33
06 – Discussion with Margaret Meloni (50 mins)

Find out more about the Career Coaching Course and watch a sampler video

How To Own Your Project Management Career is a post from: pmStudent

I love to help new project managers and working project managers further their careers.

I also offer online project management training for you!

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