Real Life PMP

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.

Check out Part 1 of this dynamic conversation with Ashaki Sorrell about how she helps women pivot into project management through her Project Management Training Academy program. We explore the foundation of the program through what Ashaki breaks down into the 3 E’s: Education, Exposure, and Experience.

Networking is a key power skill for project managers and a key skill for our careers.  Barbara Mason of Career Pathways Consulting provided so many gems that they are worth highlighting:

• Commit to reaching out to 1 person just to get started with networking
• Match the strength of the relationship with your networking approach
• Don't jump levels

Reach out!

Barbara Mason, Career Pathways Consulting

Email: [email protected]   | LinkedIn: in/yourhrinsider | LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/HRInsider | Instagram: @yourhrinsider

Real Life PMP  Podcast

Email: [email protected] | LinkedIn: in/themindsparq | Website: https://www.themindsparq.com/

Did you listen to all three episodes?  Get your 0.75 PDU via the PMI.org website.

Category: Online or Digital Media

Provider: MindsparQ

Title: Real Life PMP Podcast, Conversation with Barbara Mason

Description: 3-part episodes discussing the importance and strategies to network

PDU claim: 0.75 Leadership

Interested in being in community with conversations like this?  Consider MindsparQ Connect!  It's an uncommon community of uncommon project managers: https://themindsparq.mn.co/landing

Barbara Mason provides her insight on getting back in the game and start where you are with networking.  Especially the offline, in-person.  You can start with your neighbor, the person waiting in line at the coffee shop, or the parent at the cheerleading tryouts.  This conversation had me fired up on the resources available to me online and offline to get back in stride with my networking skills.  

In Part 1 of this conversation with Barbara Mason, the CEO and Founder of Career Pathways Consulting, we discuss tips to networking online and offline--meaning in person. When starting your networking journey, start where you are. Don't try to pattern someone else where it is overwhelming and you're not being your authentic self.

Take a listen to my case for why community matters. In fact, I'm a member of 3 communities, 2 of which I've created.  And yes I'm active in all three.  How?  They're fun for me and I'm being intentional with staying connected.

Crystal's communities:

• Hello 7 Da Club
• MindsparQ Connect

Check out this NBC News article on the health benefits of joining a community.

Real Life PMP  Podcast

Email: [email protected] | LinkedIn: in/themindsparq | Website: https://www.themindsparq.com/ | Community: https://themindsparq.mn.co/landing

In Part 2 of this conversation with Lisa Nelson, the founder and CEO of See in Colors, Lisa drops some wisdom on how lo-fi tools like sticky notes, index cards and stick figures can be all you need to visually get your point across to stakeholders.

Lisa shares her experience with transitioning as a full-time project manager to entrepreneur and using her PM skills to run her business.

Reach out!

Lisa Nelson, See in Colors

Email: [email protected]   | LinkedIn: in/themindsparq | Website: https://seeincolors.com/

• Purchase Lisa's eBook on bringing visuals to your work.
• Sign up for her complimentary 5-Day email course to learn some basic drawings.

Real Life PMP  Podcast

Email: [email protected] | LinkedIn: in/themindsparq | Website: https://www.themindsparq.com/

Did you listen to both episodes?  Get your 0.5 PDU via the PMI.org website.

Category: Online or Digital Media

Provider: MindsparQ

Title: Real Life PMP Podcast, Conversation with Lisa Nelson

Description: 2-part episodes discussing the value of multiple Agile certifications, career progression and social capital.

PDU claim: 0.5 Leadership

Interested in being in community with conversations like this?  Consider MindsparQ Connect!  It's an uncommon community of uncommon project managers: https://themindsparq.mn.co/landing

Learn about the work of Lisa Nelson, CEO of See In Colors, IT project manager turned small business owner.  Hear how Lisa turned her joy of doodling her notes in project meetings into a successful business using her project management skills, her PMP, and her creative spunk to serve government agencies, non-profits, and health care organizations.  

Part 5 of Crystal's conversation with Carlo Nino about Agile and just being a good project manager. Take a listen as we chat about being "purely" agile and social capital.

Did you listen to all 5 episodes?  Get your 1 PDU via the PMI.org website.

Category: Online or Digital Media

Provider: MindsparQ

Title: Real Life PMP Podcast, Conversation with Carlo Nino

Description: 5-part episodes discussing the value of multiple Agile certifications, career progression and social capital.

PDU claim: 1 Leadership

Connect with Carlo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlonino/

Agile Certifications FAQs (Source: PMI): https://www.pmi.org/certifications/agile-certifications/agile-certification-faqs

Interested in being in community with conversations like this?  Consider MindsparQ Connect!  It's an uncommon community of uncommon project managers: https://themindsparq.mn.co/landing

In Part 4 of this conversation, Carlo and I dive deeper into our experiences with obtaining the Certified Scrum Master (CSM) credential.  Big shout out to my instructor John Miller.  And yes, you SHOULD read Jeff Sutherland's book, Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time.  It is indeed a page turner.