Breaking Into Project Management with No Experience

Introduction

• Presenter: Christina from Cultivated Chrissy
• Topics: Tips for aspiring project managers to break into the field without experience.

Key Points

Opportunities in Project Management

• High demand: 2.2 million new project-oriented jobs by 2027.
• Opportunities to learn, hone skills, and advance.

Christina's Personal Journey

• College Experiences: Participation in clubs and organizations.
  • Held e-board member positions, managed events like parties, speaking engagements, and panel discussions.
• First Job: Academic program coordinator at a startup middle school.
  • Developed a peer mediation program as a major project demonstrating initiative.
• Transition to Public Health: Community liaison at a major health system in New York.
  • Involved in reducing hospital utilization with various projects.
  • Promoted to reporting specialist and later to project manager after earning PMP certification.
• Key Theme: Taking initiative and providing value at each role.

Six Tips to Break into Project Management

1. Take Initiative and Create Value

• Current Role: Solve problems, improve processes (trackers, guides, directories).
• Outcome: Opens doors for more experience and opportunities.

2. Resume Edits

• Reframe Experience: Use project management terminology to describe past roles.
• Two Example Edits:
  • Track staff PTO requests → Formulated and managed the execution of the daily staffing process.
  • Started peer mediation program → Instituted the peer mediation program, defined scope and standards.
• Resources:
  • PMI’s Process Groups and Bloom’s Taxonomy Action Words to enhance language.

3. Interview Preparation

• Types of Questions: Situational and technical project management questions.
• Preparation: Write out full answers using project management terms. Practice and memorize.
• Resource: Use Glassdoor for commonly asked interview questions.

4. Apply to Smaller Companies or Startups

• Benefits: More opportunities to fill gaps and take initiative.
• Role Examples: Project coordinator, junior project manager, project manager levels (1, 2), project associate, implementation manager.

5. Apply to Larger Organizations

• Benefits: Better benefits (healthcare, time off), more structured environments.
• Strategy: Identify pain points, fill gaps even in structured setups.
• Entry-Level Roles: Project coordinator, junior project manager, etc.

6. Volunteer Opportunities

• Resources: VolunteerMatch.org, government websites, local groups, churches.
• Benefit: Practical experience, opportunity to see if you enjoy project management.
• Resume: Include volunteer experience to demonstrate project management skills.

Conclusion

• Call to Action: Subscribe to Christina's channel for more tips and in-depth videos on project management.