>>Hello, I'm Jennifer Whitt, Director at ProjectManager.com.
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>>Welcome to our white-board session today on how to enter the PM field if your new.
I love getting calls from people who are asking how to enter the project management field
and because that shows me that we're taking the profession to a whole new level.
Moving from the accidental project manager to the intentional project manager.
So thanks for watching this video.
I want to give five steps that I've found is important in guiding people on how to enter
the project management field.
First of all, I think the first step is to actually test yourself.
Give yourself the litmus test of, why are you entering the project management field.
A lot of people who may be in other roles and may be in corporation and they may have
friends or colleagues who are project managers, they see the project manager role and they
think, 'hey, if you're doing it because of money, power or glamour', thinking, 'those
project managers, they have it easy.
They just sit around and tell people what to do.'
If you're in it for that reason you're probably going into that field for the wrong reason.
But if you're looking to be in a leadership role, lead change and impact your organization
or community, then that's the right step.
But caution, if you don't like to deal with people, happy people, maybe the frustrated
or angry people, those who may be confused or scared or those intelligent or innovative;
if you don't like dealing with people this is not the field for you.
So, if you answered no to people, or if you're in it for money, power and glamour, just say
no and stop here and consider something else.
But if you say yes, and you do like people and you are looking for leadership, change
or impact, then I say go to step 2.
Step 2 is to step up in your current environment.
So, whether you're in a company, you may say I'm not in a company.
I'm just getting out of school.
I heard about the project management field or curriculum, then start at your school.
You may say, 'well, I'm not working right now and I'm not in school.'
Well look for volunteer organizations.
The project management institute has chapters worldwide and so there may be an opportunity
for you to get involved in the project management institute, your local chapter or there may
be other non-profit or community organizations that you can get involved in.
But, where ever you are in your current environment then step up to the project management role.
Let the people in your current environment know that you're ready for more of a leadership
role.
Then that way you can begin shadowing someone, or mentoring under someone who can teach you
more about project management and get the experience of what needs to be done, how you
do it, and how you work with people.
Step 3 is to tell others.
Because what I've found is people really are your best advocates.
People want to help people.
So, let people know that you're looking to go in a different role, a more of a leadership
role and project management.
And you never know where your next opportunity may arise.
People may know of other project managers they can connect you with.
They may have project management opportunities in their organization company or organizations.
So again, let others know.
Then number 4, educate yourself.
The more you can learn about project management and some of the tips, the tools, the techniques,
how you do it, the certain methodologies, then the better off you are.
There are many ways you can do that, especially now in the internet age.
You can google project management.
I say as a project manager, Google is your best friend.
So google project management, there are all kinds of online training opportunities that
you can do.
Number five is, build your network.
Actually, build a network of other project managers and learn from them.
Get connected and see where the opportunities are.
But I think these are the best five steps of how you can enter the project management
field if you're new.
If you're new to the field of project management and you want to practice on your project management
tools and expertise, then sign up for our software now at ProjectManager.com.