In part 2 of this conversation with Ashaki Sorrell, we get real about the PMP: it's not the golden ticket to that first 100K project manager job. Your first step may be to take an entry-level role.  Many of us had to earn our "stripes" to get to where we are in our project management careers. Experience matters. You may need to get your start as a project coordinator or project specialist working under the guidance of a senior project manager.