Switching Careers to Project Management: Making the Transition
Just about every industry today needs project managers whether directly or indirectly. From healthcare, to construction, to IT & beyond, there’s much space for project management professionals and many reports suggest that within the next decade or so, the demand for them will continue to increase as various industries see a rise in project based-work, business expansions & technological advancements. Thinking about switching careers yet? No worries, we’ve put together a list of 7 steps below that you can use to guide yourself in transitioning to project management.
Step 1: Learn The Basics
Be sure to do your research first. Fully understand what project management is and the role of a project manager. Lay a solid foundation for your new career path and lead yourself first with confidence.
Step 2: Assess Your Transferable Skills
You may have skills from previous jobs that could benefit you greatly in the project management space such as time management, problem-solving and communication. The best thing you can do at this stage is to reflect on those past roles, assess your strengths, compare them with those required in the PM field and determine what you can carry along with you.
Step 3: Plan Your Path
As you’ve probably heard time and time again, if you fail to plan, you simply plan to fail, especially within this field. A proper entry into the arena may look like starting out as an assistant project manager or project coordinator, considering all the responsibilities that come with being a full-on PM. Beyond that, it would also be wise to plot out your path in the long term and determine what you want for yourself and the various steps you need to take in getting there.
Step 4: Acquire Certifications
To be a great project professional, requires one to at least be certified. The industry wants what it wants, and every PM’s knowledge and commitment is going to require validation. One of the most important, and certainly the most widely recognized certification is the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from The Project Management Institute (PMI). Others include the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) which is a good place to start on your PM journey.
Step 5: Gain Practical Experience
Wherever you are, whenever you can, in whatever role, try to approach it with a project management mentality, where the responsibilities you take on can undoubtedly help you in you developing the skills that actual PM life will require from you. Whether it be at your current job or in a volunteering role, seek opportunities as often as possible for real-world application of your project management knowledge.
Step 6: Network
While in search of new opportunities, you may just get lucky as you network with industry professionals, maybe even when you least expect it. Social media app, LinkedIn is always a good place to start, where you can get your name out into the community, participate in discussions and stay informed on the latest trends and tools, as you build your connections within the space. Beyond that, there are also events like workshops and conferences put on by organizations like the Project Management Institute (PMI), which are ideal for new professionals within the field looking to gain the knowledge, and of course the network of the veterans that usually frequent there.
Step 7: Apply for Roles
Now that you’ve laid the foundation and journeyed through the relevant processes, the final step is to fine tune your resume and apply for roles within the space, with the hope of someday landing your dream job as a project manager. Of course, it is best to apply for positions that best suit your level of experience, while also aiming for the industries where you stand the best chance of lasting as a project professional. Do your best in preparing for your interviews & the rest should work itself out. We know you got this.