![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/svapm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/evil-josh-nankivel.jpg\" "\\"evil-josh-nankivel\\"")
I focus specifically on 1) helping people get into project management and 2) helping new or not formally trained project managers in their roles. \u00a0And hey, I’m a nice enough guy.<\/p>\n
This week, I’m commandeering this blog (muha) to subject you (muuhaha) to my evil guidance (muuhahaha) helping you take control of the world<\/span> your career (muuhahahahahaaaaaaaa)!<\/p>\n Now, nearly all evil lessons come in a specific number of steps. \u00a0Here is the first.<\/p>\n When I created training on this topic, it naturally structured itself into 5 primary areas.\u00a0 Steps 1 and 2 are very important to do first, because sometimes people find out they don\u2019t actually want to manage projects after all<\/a>!\u00a0 You have to know where you are starting from and where you want to go before diving in.<\/p>\n One thing I strongly advise against is jumping right into a certificate, certification, or even a degree unless you have taken the time to know what you\u2019re about and what the landscape looks like.\u00a0 Too many people who want to be project managers spend thousands on a certificate program that they can\u2019t use since the majority of project management roles require previous experience.<\/p>\n Note:\u00a0 You can also listen to my interview on the topic of\u00a0How to Become a Project Manager<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to do a search online and start studying for a certification or think about going back to school for a degree in project management.<\/p>\n Not so fast.<\/p>\n Before you do anything, take stock of your current starting point.\u00a0 What advantages and disadvantages do you currently have to deal with when trying to get into a career like this where most job postings require many years of experience?\u00a0\u00a0Switching careers to project management<\/a> can have its ups and downs.<\/p>\n What are your career goals?\u00a0 Are they written down?\u00a0 How will you know when you are heading down the right path, and when you are lost?<\/p>\n Now that you know where you are starting from and what you want to accomplish from a 10,000-foot view, it\u2019s time to figure out how.<\/p>\n Now you can start educating yourself about the various educational options, certifications, and most of all: how to gain experience.<\/p>\n See, project management as a discipline doesn\u2019t have a lot of internship programs yet; and just because you have a degree or certificate doesn\u2019t mean I want you to run a project team in my company.\u00a0 There are many ways to get into a project management role, and the considerations are different for each trajectory you might take.<\/p>\n My youngest brother and I are 10 years apart in age.<\/p>\n His favorite joke is to tell people how much he learned from me; by NOT doing what I did.\u00a0 Learning from others\u2019 mistakes and successes is a powerful way to teach yourself to be successful.<\/p>\n Do whatever you can do learn from others who are doing or have done what you want to be doing.\u00a0 (Wow, that was a confusing sentance!)<\/p>\nHow to Become a Villianous<\/span> Project Manager in 5 Steps<\/h1>\n
1 \u2013 Start at the Beginning<\/h2>\n
2 \u2013 Plan Your Career Trajectory<\/h2>\n
3 \u2013 Learn From Others<\/h2>\n