Project management career tips: Lessons from experienced project managers

I graduated with a B.S. in industrial engineering and began my career with a large multinational conglomerate’s management training program, designed to develop future plant managers across their global operations. My wife and I relocated four times in five years before I completed my MBA in finance and transitioned through roles as production control supervisor, manager of industrial engineering, inventory control manager, financial auditing, and ERP implementation consulting. It was during that last role that I noticed the project manager was having more fun than I was, so I made the leap, earned my PMP, and never looked back.

Over 22 years at Company A, 15 were spent as a project manager or quality consultant, where I also earned a Six Sigma Black Belt and a doctorate in management systems. I later served as an IT project manager and organizational change management consultant at an Ivy League university and finished my career doing continuous improvement at a medical center.

So what would I do differently? Start as a PM sooner. I spent years accumulating broad operational experience before discovering that project management was where I truly thrived. It gave me the freedom to be a change agent and, as I like to say, stretch my wings and soar. The one lesson I now teach students that I wish I’d learned earlier: master stakeholder communication before anything else. Technical skills get you in the room; people skills keep you there.

Today, as a part-time adjunct lecturer teaching project management, Lean Six Sigma, and managing innovation at several universities, I get to give students the head start I didn’t have, translating decades of real-world projects directly into the classroom, where practitioner experience makes all the difference.

If I were to start over in my career and begin again as a project manager, one of the first things I would do differently is pursue formal certifications in project management earlier. While experience is invaluable, obtaining professional certifications such as the PMP early on would have helped me structure my approach to planning, risk management, and overall project execution within a relatively short time after entering the field. It would have provided a solid framework to guide my decisions and interactions, rather than relying primarily on my years of experience. Also, earning such credentials earlier would have strengthened my professional credibility and allowed me to contribute more confidently in discussions with project stakeholders and senior team members.

I would also place greater emphasis on developing a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of construction much earlier in my career. Although I eventually built that knowledge through hands-on experience, gaining it sooner would have enabled me to make more informed decisions, better coordinate with project teams, and present myself more effectively as a well-rounded practitioner in my field. A stronger technical foundation early on would have complemented my management skills and reduced the learning curve on large-scale projects. Overall, I believe that combining early certification with a stronger technical background would have accelerated my career growth, enhanced my effectiveness in managing projects, and improved my ability to consistently deliver successful outcomes.

If I could start over as a project manager, I would prioritize earning my PMP certification much earlier in my career. Having that foundational framework from the beginning would have sharpened how I approached scope, risk, and stakeholder management long before experience taught me those lessons the hard way.

Beyond certification, I would commit to continuous learning as a habit rather than a reaction. The profession has evolved dramatically from traditional waterfall approaches to Agile, hybrid methodologies, and now AI-driven project environments. I spent too many early years mastering one way of working, only to realize the landscape had already shifted.

I would also engage more actively with PMI’s community and publications to stay ahead of those changes rather than catching up to them. Project management is no longer just scheduling and budgets; it demands adaptability, emotional intelligence, and fluency with emerging tools.

Ultimately, I would treat my development as a project in itself: with clear goals, regular retrospectives, and a genuine commitment to improvement at every stage.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

If I could begin my project management career again, I would focus on building strong communication and leadership skills early on. Networking with professionals in the industry would be a priority, as relationships often open doors and provide guidance. Gaining hands-on experience through internships or volunteering for project roles—even small ones—would help me understand real-world challenges and solutions. I would seek certifications like PMP sooner, to boost credibility and learning. Embracing technology and staying updated on project management tools would also be key. Most importantly, I would ask for feedback regularly and learn from mistakes, viewing them as opportunities for growth. This roadmap blends practical experience, continuous learning, and relationship building, essential for a successful project management journey.

As I reflect on my career in project management, I often think back to my early days managing projects for a Fortune 50 company. It was a challenging and frustrating period because I struggled to understand why the vast majority of projects I was assigned to manage were failing.

Nearly 15 years into my career—as a program manager and later a senior executive with the same company—I decided to return to school to pursue a graduate degree in business. At that time, I selected project management as my specialization. It was during this period that I experienced an awakening that significantly changed the trajectory of my career.

When I enrolled in my first project management course, I was fortunate to connect with an instructor who became a lifelong mentor. Her style, character, and professional experience as a senior executive with Verizon immediately captured my attention and helped me understand the critical importance of formal project management education. After completing my degree, I developed a strong interest in Six Sigma as a specialized area within project management. Pursuing certification in Six Sigma further transformed my career, allowing me to apply the knowledge gained from both my academic studies and Six Sigma training to real-world workplace challenges.

Today, I actively consult with small to midsize enterprises in the solid waste management industry, where I spent the majority of my career. In this work, I apply Lean and Six Sigma tools to help organizations improve operational efficiency and performance.

I will always be grateful to my first instructor in project management for inspiring me and helping me recognize the power of knowledge and education to advance one’s career. My only regret is that I did not begin earlier in pursuing the knowledge made possible through advanced education.