If you read blogs and online posts from current Project Managers you will see that most began their career after falling into the job role within a company or moved into a position that was backed up by project management courses. The key strengths a PM are the ability to self motivate, organize and most importantly - lead a team. Natural leaders often find themselves leaning towards management positions and 'accidentally' fall or are encouraged into the PM role.
The first thing you need to do is make sure you do not automatically start looking for PM work outside of the company you currently work for. There are (near) always opportunities to develop your PM skills within the company you work for which is the easiest and simplest option if you're looking to make a change.
Here are some different ways you can utilize your current employer:
- Find the department that deals with projects and think about how you can network with that department. Taking an active role in gaining information about the department and how it relates to the job role you currently have.
- Network across the whole business, speaking to employees in other departments and finding out about other opportunities throughout the company.
- Arrange a meeting with your manager or team leader to discuss if you could be considered for departmental projects coming up. Make yourself available to help and discuss the skills you have that render you suitable.
- Speak to your HR department to see if it's possible for you to find out about up and coming job opportunities through the company.
- Take on extra work - this is the general rule through organizations if you want to prove yourself - look to be proactive and create noticeable change.
- Are you already project managing? A lot of job roles involve project management skills, something you could use to your advantage if you recognize those skills. If you can recognize these skills and develop them, you are then in a position to make informed suggestions on the way projects are managed within your department (make sure you do this within your job role boundaries!).
- Start to think like a project manager reading up on strategy and implementation. Talk to your colleagues and managers with PM terminology in reference to the work you currently do, discussing risk management, time management, resource management and financial management.
Whilst you truly integrate yourself into your company, nurturing your new love for project-management, why not consider some additional education? It's never too late to learn and some companies offer training within the company or subsidized training with a contractual obligation to stay with the company for a set period of time.
If your company does not offer any PM training why not think about asking to shadow a project manager within the company, or look into financing a PM training course for yourself. If you're determined to become a project manager in the company you are in, seeing you invest in a course will no doubt improve your chances of bagging that dream project managers job. The key to becoming a PM is the ability to explore all possible avenues and at all times, have your eye on the end result.