Any Project Managers here on NT?

[anaturalwonder]

Was just curious to see if we had any Project Managers here. What industry? How did you get started?

 

[nazdrowie]

not a PM, but work with them (im on the program/strategy side) supporting a software/systems development effort by the government...

duties (more or less) consist of asking PMs about risk/quality/scheduling updates, creating/maintaining/updating governance documentation, running daily Standup/Scrums, among other things...

started as a government contractor (and still currently) in a Project/Program Management Office

 

[harlemtothebronx]

Not a PM either, but I've worked closely with PMs on a few projects at my current job. I work for the New York City Housing Authority. I'm a staff analyst, but titles when you work for the city are pretty fluid.

It's something I've been looking into, and anyone I ask tells me they kind of ended up there. It wasn't their main goal, but it became a nice role. The only issue I could take is the expectation for you to be able to manage and control so much, but if you have an understanding boss, I imagine it could be very comfortable.

 

[kicks2024]

No a PM but have work with them for the past 5 years. Something I have looked in to though

 

[s0lefunk]

Not a PM either but was extended a contingent offer for a Deputy PM position if my company won a contract. Unfortunately they didn’t but luckily landed a lead analyst gig with a major firm.

Studying for my PMP now and plan to take the test before they change the test in March.

 

[anaturalwonder]

Great!

The interesting thing about Project Managers is the role can be so diversified throughout different industries.

I always wondered, if you get your PMP and are currently working in a certain industry (lets say Construction), would that help you if you wanted to jump industries and work in Tech?

 

[datznasty]

Been on contract, projects, my whole career so I'v always had one. They say that Comptia IT PMP is hard as ****, she said it was 4 hours. I'm dubious that they're that smart, the ones who didn't have the cert, and did little more than approving timesheets/skimming the extra $ off the contract and hiring. But they definitely get money. Our's who is the GM of our sub-company had a Louie bag at the meeting and one of the femle coworkers mentioned it and she turned around quickly and it snagged on the door, she was like it's ok, that's just my travel Louie anyways

 

[rollout]

Main skill a PM needs is knowing how hard/often to poke your coworkers with a (figurative) stick. Not enough, and you'll catch heat for (them) not meeting deadlines. Too much, and they'll resent you/start to drag their feet when they actually could work faster.

That's my impression as a non-PM. PMs don't add real value to the company besides hassling other people to hurry and deliver said value. They are literally the middleman in industry. *mike drop*

 

[Brownstone]

Main skill a PM needs is knowing how hard/often to poke your coworkers with a (figurative) stick. Not enough, and you'll catch heat for (them) not meeting deadlines. Too much, and they'll resent you/start to drag their feet when they actually could work faster.

That's my impression as a non-PM. PMs don't add real value to the company besides hassling other people to hurry and deliver said value. They are literally the middleman in industry. *mike drop*

Eh Different meanings in different companies.

I have been a PM within the Banking industry (not my current role)

It was more of an operational role, my role with that company would fall into the middle man category for sure, that being said PMs within my current company is a very good more senior level role. Depends on the company and industry both.

 

[rollout]

I was speaking more from the manufacturing side. There are good PMs, and it's not like I even have beef with most of them at my job. My jimmies just get rustled sometimes when I sit down and think about their actual job description, lol

 

[s0lefunk]

Great!

The interesting thing about Project Managers is the role can be so diversified throughout different industries.

I always wondered, if you get your PMP and are currently working in a certain industry (lets say Construction), would that help you if you wanted to jump industries and work in Tech?

I'd imagine you'd have to show some experience with managing a tech project within the construction arena to be considered. But as mentioned already, PM roles differ greatly between industries and companies.

In my experience, you're more likely to be promoted into a PM role at your current company than be hired as one with no prior experience by an outside company. My best advice would be to make it known you aspire to be a PM to your supervisors so that they'll consider you for a position in the future.

If interested in the PMP, better get it before March or wait a year after the updated test goes into circulation. Study guides, boot camps, and practice test banks will need some time to reflect the changes. Optimal study plans are 2-3 months so you still have time to prep and take the current test if you act now.

 

[ASE]

PM here in construction management.

In my experience, you're more likely to be promoted into a PM role at your current company than be hired as one with no prior experience by an outside company. My best advice would be to make it known you aspire to be a PM to your supervisors so that they'll consider you for a position in the future.

This is how I got started.

 

[juice man]

I'm a tech PM. I'll add more later if interested.

 

[the natural mystic]

I am PM with a PMP in construction. I went to school for architecture/construction.