{"id":2931,"date":"2009-09-04T08:00:07","date_gmt":"2009-09-04T15:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/?p=2931"},"modified":"2019-08-07T14:30:29","modified_gmt":"2019-08-07T21:30:29","slug":"blog-competition-winner-33","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svapm.org\/?p=2931","title":{"rendered":"Blog Competition Winner – 3\/3"},"content":{"rendered":"

UCSC Extension in Silicon Valley offered the students in its Project Management classes the opportunity to enter a competition to write a blog for SVprojectmanagement.com.\u00a0 The prize for the top three entries was to be published on this site. All the students in the Project Leadership and Communication class of regular blogger and UCSC Extension instructor, Alan Tsuda, took up the challenge.\u00a0 The top three chose diverse topics from how to “BLUF” your way through a project to the advantages of a yoga approach and ending with thoughts on what there is to love about being a project manager.<\/p>\n

Note: SVProjectmanagement.com invites new and experienced project and program managers to share their insights. If you feel you would like to contribute your thoughts to this blog, please contact the blog coordinator and include a sample of your writing.<\/p>\n

Here is our last winning entry…<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

Why I Like Being a Project Manager \u2013 Really!<\/h2>\n

At various times in my career people have asked why I like being a project manager.\u00a0 It seems some view this role with trepidation \u2013 you are on the spot all the time, a single false move could seriously damage your program, and you tend to live in constant fear (which by the way is an excellent motivator!).\u00a0 So here are my thoughts.<\/p>\n

You Control your own Destiny:\u00a0 When you are the leader, you chart the course, rather than follow someone else you may not agree with.\u00a0 If you\u2019ve ever worked under a project manager whose strategy you don\u2019t buy into, you\u2019ll know what I\u2019m talking about.\u00a0 So now it\u2019s your turn to make good. Does anyone remember when President Bush 41 said \u201cI do not like broccoli\u2026.\u00a0 I’m President of the United States and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli.\u201d\u00a0 Maybe he had a little project manager attitude in him?<\/p>\n

It Feels Good when you Succeed: There\u2019s tremendous satisfaction for a project leader when your program is successful.\u00a0 Nothing beats getting the job done on time and under budget while meeting the initial requirements of the project.\u00a0 And if you like this type of satisfaction, don\u2019t worry, more is coming.\u00a0 Have you ever heard the saying \u201cthe reward for good work is more work?\u201d\u00a0 This is very true in the world of project management.<\/p>\n

It Feels Even Better when your Team Succeeds:\u00a0 Like a proud parent sending his children off to college, nothing feels better than setting your project team members up for success.\u00a0 I\u2019ve always felt a good project manager empowers his team to do the right thing so the project succeeds and the team grows in the process. \u00a0The rewards will come back to you over and over when your best players want to work with you again.\u00a0 And it also helps when they write nice things about you on LinkedIn.<\/p>\n

If you like Exposure, this Job is for you:\u00a0 Some people like to work with a searing hot beam of light focused on them all the time.\u00a0 Others are more content working in the shadows.\u00a0 If you fall into the first category, this job is for you!\u00a0 But do remember, this level of attention does come with a price, like getting called into your VP\u2019s office at 5:30 on a Friday afternoon to provide an update on your project.\u00a0 Or having to be online all weekend or late in the evening to manage progress with international teams.\u00a0 I guess all\u2019s fair in love, war, and project management.<\/p>\n

These Skills are Transferrable:\u00a0 An experienced project manager can move between companies (or between functions within a company) if you have the right combination of technical and project management skills.\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen it happen to me moving from Operations to Services.\u00a0 If it could happen to me it could happen to anyone. This is great insurance in a down economy.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s Just Plain Fun:\u00a0 Do you like technology?\u00a0 Do you like working with people rather than working alone?\u00a0 Do you enjoy the challenges of communicating in a multi-cultural environment?\u00a0 Are you the type who likes to come to the rescue when things aren\u2019t going well?\u00a0 If you answered yes to the questions above, project management is probably right for you.\u00a0 Either that or being a paramedic or fire fighter!<\/p>\n

You can do this at Home Too:\u00a0 Whether building a deck in your backyard, planning a room addition, or a family vacation, your project management skills can also keep you organized in your personal life.\u00a0 But don\u2019t go hog wild on home improvement projects \u2013 you still have an 80 hour a week job leading projects at work!<\/p>\n

So those of you reading this on the UCSC Project Management website probably don\u2019t need to be convinced why project management is a really cool thing to do.\u00a0 But maybe someone is visiting this site for the first time and happens to stumble across this blog.\u00a0 It is for you that I say \u201cgive it a try, test the waters.\u201d\u00a0 You may be pleasantly surprised\u2026. but be careful what you wish for!<\/p>\n

\"Larry\" Larry Klein<\/strong><\/p>\n

Larry Klein has 20+ years experience in Support, Operations, and Product Development. \u00a0He\u2019s currently serving as a Manager of Customer Escalations at Extreme Networks in Santa Clara, responsible for resolving difficult business and technical problems at high profile, at-risk accounts. \u00a0He has strong Operations and Product Development experience to work cross functionally for resolving customer issues. \u00a0He\u2019s also an experienced people and project manager.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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