How did I get here? My career in Project Management

What is your path to a career in project management?

Everyone is always interested in “How did you get here?” and what led me to a career in project management.

To that end, I’m starting a new series on ProProjectManager.com. The “How did you get here?” interview. I’ve got lots of friends (at least now) that are project managers and got to that place in many different ways.

 Let’s get started!

My first interview will be me! Deb Schaffer, PMP. Currently the Principal and Chief Blogger at ProProjectManager.com and creator of the How to Finish

Anything E-Course – due in late August or early September 2015.

When did you first decide to become a project manager?

Well, I’ll say it choose me. I was working for a startup in the mid-80s, coordinating software conversions and installations for non-profits throughout the U.S and Canada. At the time, I didn’t know there was a career called Project Management. All I knew was that these clients needed to be taken care of and our company needed the revenue!

I eventually ended up at a large software company in the Denver area as a Technical Writer. I worked my way into designing and teaching technical courses, including project management. After a few years of full-time teaching, I wanted to leverage myself out of corporate training and into something a bit more flexible. Project management seemed like the best of both worlds – a management track with no direct reports.

What was your academic and/or corporate background before you became a project manager?

I have a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University, majoring in Socio-Economics through James Madison College, and a minor in French Language. I also have a Graduate Certificate in Project Management from the University of Denver.

On the job experience

My corporate background includes stints as a software installer and trainer, customer support manager, technical writer, and instructional designer for both in-person classes and e-courses. As I eased out of day-to-day corporate training in the late 90s, I managed projects for the training department. These projects were mostly release updates to the 70+ classes being offered at the time and technical infrastructure projects for the training centers located around the world.

Did your company support your transition from corporate trainer to project manager?

Well, sort of. At the end of the 90s, with the millenium approaching there were lots of projects to manage and work to do. As the year 2000 got started, the company’s revenue dropped off and by May of 2000, there were massive layoffs at the company. I was safe, though many of my co-workers and staff were let go. I decided at this time to get my PMP, and began documenting my work experience. The University of Denver offered a Graduate Certificate in Project Management which met the PMI  education credits.  I was still working as a project manager for the now downsized training department. I was one of the few links left between the training organization and the IT organization, so they needed me.

Use company benefits

The company paid for all my University classes, the PMP prep class and the PMP testing fees.  I took my PMP test and received my certification in 2003. By the end of that year, I would also be laid off as the company was sold to a competitor.

How has having your credential helped (or hurt?) your career?

Having my PMP helped me to secure my position at Lockheed Martin, working on a government contract. A friend recommended me to a hiring manager who liked my experience and the fact I was certified.  I stayed at Lockheed for 9 1/2 years. In the Denver area, the PMP is highly valued. The PMI Mile-Hi chapter here is one of the nation’s largest and most active, so it seemed like a good idea to get certified, just to keep up!

I think having the credential is a good idea, but I know people who have had a career in project management for years that don’t have the credential. In fact, at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, I was one of very few that had my PMP. Space Systems really doesn’t care one way or the other – at least not that I saw or heard.

I don’t think having the PMP has hurt my career. I don’t know if I’ve been passed over in the hiring process because of my credential. I suspect I haven’t, but there’s no way to know.

What advice would you give an aspiring project manager?

When I talk with aspiring project managers, I tell them

• You must be adaptable and handle change well. If you must have perfection, think again about becoming a project manager.
• You may spend most of your career cleaning up other people’s project messes, so be aware and get good at starting in the middle of a project.
• Start documenting your experience as soon as you think you may test for your credential. It’s much easier to document in the moment than try to remember details a year or two later.
• Volunteer to work on projects whenever you can. You’ll gain experience and visibility.

Of course, everyone’s situation is different. I was talking with a young woman not long ago who wanted to transition to a project management role from an administrative role. I suggested she work with her manager to volunteer for company-wide projects to get more experience. A month later, she was being considered for a new PM position in the company’s consulting division. Sometimes, just getting the word out works wonders.

Any final advice?

It’s tough to become a good project manager with classes alone. You need to manage real projects. When folks ask if they should get a Master’s Degree in Project Management, and they have very little experience in the field I recommend they consider waiting on the degree. If you have the skills to be a PM, then work with your company to attend classes through company education benefits. If your company won’t help, then maybe you need to change companies.  I’m not a big fan of getting a degree because you don’t have the experience.

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What would your advice be for an aspiring project manager? Let us know in the comments, or visit us on Facebook at ProProject Manager.