Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco , CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Contact Vets2PM.com.

Get involved with local chapters of PMI.org

Build a team of 3 to 10 goal relevant advisors.

Identify live job postings similar to jobs you want, not to apply, but for the actionablke information they contain.

Also ask your question in the MC4 group on LinkedIn.

Larry Herring ⋅ Pomona , CA World Wide Technology ⋅ 32 years experience

India,

Please remember that there are different methodologies that exist. Going forward with your PMP is good. Being part of the PMI and go to meetings are items you need to do as well. You need to be around the people who speak the Project Manager/PMO language.

However, there are many company's that value other methodologies such as, Waterfall, Agile, Six Sigma, Scrum as well as Prince 2 which is getting more traction elsewhere besides the U.K. and other parts of the world. Six Sigma Black Belts are very valuable as the goal they have is to always improve processes, which in turn are heavily used in companies that have to be ISO certified.

I wish you nothing but the best in your endeavor.

Larry

Wade Robinson ⋅ Great Falls , VA Glen Associates, LLC ⋅ 36 years experience

India,
One source you may want to consider is SHRM, (Society for Human Resource Management). It is the premier HR society/organization and has significant job posting and networking potential. The CEO is a veteran and previously led an organization dedicated to helping veterans make the transition to corporate/government careers. After 25+ years in HR with a government contractor I can say that Project Management in HR is key to moving quickly through the corporate ladder. Organizations are constantly upgrading or moving to new systems and processes. HR professionals with PM experience find greater visibility and career growth than do the generalist HR professionals.

Kelly Williams ⋅ Newark , DE Stars to Stripes Military Transition Assistance ⋅ 10 years experience

Ms. Hall,

My company provides free resume critiques to all military service members. You can submit your resume to us via email or by using our secure online submission form:

Email: Info@ExpertResumeSolutions.com
Form: http://tinyurl.com/nwz27gc

Please allow 3-5 business days for completion.

We use two different formats for corporate and federal applications. I can send you examples of each to get you started.

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kellywilliamsmaresca

Thank you for your service.

Warmest Regards,

Kelly Williams
Career Strategist & President
Security Cleared Careers
Expert Resume Solutions
Business: (732) 686-6455
Email: info@expertresumesolutions.com
www.ExpertResumeSolutions.com
Job Board: wwww.SecurityClearedCareers.com

Eugene Tuzkov ⋅ El Segundo , CA DIRECTV ⋅ 9 years experience

Hi India,

One thing I recommend is to become familiar with Project Management software/tools. I'm sure there are many out there, but one that you should look at is Basecamp.

It is very easy to use, and can really optimize and streamline how you approach and complete each project. The software has alot of great features - You can invite your team members to use it and assign "TO DOs" (with due dates) to each team member, schedule meetings, upload relevant project documents, and keep track of team activities and contributions on a daily basis to ensure everyone is doing their part to reach important project milestones. Also, as different due dates approach, each appropriate team member (or task assignee) receives email notifications to ensure nothing "falls through the cracks".

Knowledge and experience using such tools will not only make you a better project manager, but it may also add additonal brownie points during a job interview. It may also position you (or your resume) for consideration above other applicants who may not be as savy as you to new and effective methods of project management.

Steven DelGrosso ⋅ Raleigh , NC IBM ⋅ 35 years experience

Hi India,

The description you provided shows that you have thought quite seriously about your post-service career possibilities, and that you have taken the right steps to be a competitive candidate for opportunities when your military service ends.

You have been given quite a bit of advice prior to my posting here, and although some have presented conflicting outlooks on the field of Project Management, I believe it's important to give them all due consideration. Some terms and definitions used by others in this thread require you to do a bit of research, especially those mentioning the development methods called Agile and Waterfall. There are many misconceptions about how project managers apply these different methods, but you can be sure that the skills and competencies held by professional project managers, including PMPs, are applicable in both methods.

After spending quite a few years in the IT industry, I can tell you with confidence that if you do decide that you want to pursue a Project Management opportunity/career in that industry, the PMP certification is a positive distinguishing credential when hiring managers are searching for professional PMs. Someone above mentioned that such distinguishing factors are important to set you apart from other job applicants; I believe this is true and the PMP will help do that.

However, only you can decide where your interests are focused, whether directly to the field of Human Resource Management or more broadly to the field of Project Management, and finding out more about professional project management and certifications in both fields is the best way to make a decision about future job opportunities.

All the best to you!

robert castillo ⋅ Huntsville , AL Northrop Grumman ⋅ 6 years experience

Most large companies will not make you a project manager, because you have to understand the business side of the company, unless you have a special skill that sets you apart. most companies want you to have a degree, but if you want help send me your resume at robert.castillo@ngc.com

Randi Turner ⋅ Louisville , KY UPS ⋅ 11 years experience

Hi,
I transitioned into the public sector a few years ago, and I am working for UPS. I did join the local pmi.org as they can help prep you to take the test, which allows you to add the credentials to your signature. Not sure when you looking to transition out but I do know that upsjobs.com has several positions available due to our increased growth. You can query key words such as Solutions, Implementations, human resource, etc.
I wish you the best of luck in your career and thank-you for your service to this great nation.
Randi

Der-Min Fan ⋅ Fremont , CA Thermo Fisher Scientific ⋅ 35 years experience

Many companies can use the project management skills in HR. A project manager for any project usually needs to have working experince related to that project. You can start looking into HR openings that fit your working experince in those companies you are interested in working for; even those openings not specific for a project manager. Then it would be much easier to step into a project management position after you have experience working in that environment. Having the PMP certification will never hurt but for many of the project manager positions it's not a requiement. Your ability to lead a team to accomplish a goal is the most important element for being a project manager. This element can best be demostrated by working with you or the track record of your working experience.

Paul Slyman ⋅ Portland , OR Metro Regional Government ⋅ 1 years experience

Hi India--looks like you're getting some great advice! I oversee (among other things) a construction Project Management Office. We build modest projects $50k-$4M and carry a portfolio of about 80 active projects at any given time.

We get lots of resumes. They're very competitive, yet the ones that stand out either have a PMP (as some other commenters suggested), an engineering degree, or a LEED AP credential (which demonstrates knowledge of green building principles). Whether you are looking for construction project management, or any other type of project management, if you can strive for a qualification that distinguishes you, you will increase your chances of getting noticed.

Thanks for your question!
Paul

David Eastman ⋅ Gresham , OR Gamma Therapeutics, Inc. ⋅ 35 years experience

Hello, India

First of all, thank you for your service. Sometimes, it seems that civilians do not care about what is happening the military or to its service people, but that is far from the truth. My father, World War II, my brother, the Vietnam War, myself, the Vietnam War and my nephews, Iraq and Afghanistan, all keep you in our thoughts and hearts.

I know many people who are professional project managers and I underscore professional as an important part of the career. To a one, they have all gotten certifications in the project management field, learned the advance software, worked in the field, and while working, honed their skills with additional experience and education.

My advice to you, no matter your skill levels in the military, go to your local community college or university and take the project management certification courses and the software management courses. By the way, another application of project management is material handling, supply chain management and logistics, all hot fields in the manufacturing and shipping industry.

Good luck and much success in your career.

Regards,

David Eastman, CEO
Gamma Therapeutics, Inc.
US Navy Veteran

Doug Strombom ⋅ Issaquah , WA Cisco Systems ⋅ 32 years experience

Hi India,
I learned most of my project management skills on the job and went back to get a PMP certification three years ago. It certainly provides a good theoretical framework for working as a project manager, but it is not a cookbook for how to do project management. Someone above mentioned use your military training, and I think that's sound advice. If you demonstrate the basic competencies of a project manager, then what employers are going to be looking for is someone with a track record of driving successful outcomes, usually someone with an assertive personality and a willingness to overcome barriers that happen to every project, and a demonstrated concern for cost and time budgets. It's your drive that will make a difference, and also your ability to communicate well with all the project stakeholders and participants. If you have those qualities, then yes, I think becoming a project manager is a good choice. The risky side is that PMs are held accountable, so if you don't like to take responsibility for successful outcomes, it isn't a good choice.

Lorenzo Bridgewater ⋅ Hazlehurst , MS U.S. Army, Specialist ⋅ 4 years served

Hello fellow Veteran. I went the same route that you are considering and I did not go by certification. I got an MBA in Project Management and presently a DrPHA. Most of our military experience is Agile in nature and when you get a PMP you will go more of a Waterfall which will seem slightly in a word backwards. I suggest you get your Bachelors degree and or Masters in Project Management. That will teach you how to be a project manager not just a PMP. A PMP lasts a few years, a degree last forever.

When I got out of the military I went straight into IT management as CIO, and COO then project management. If you truly want to make 6 figures, don't limit yourself to a certification, keep what the military taught us in mind, to be well rounded or as we say in the Army squared away.

David Daugerdas ⋅ Palatine , IL IBM ⋅ 36 years experience

The October 2015 issue of PM Network spotlights a book in which you may be interested: "The Transitioning Military Project Manager" by Jay Hicks and Sandy Cobb.

Peter Han ⋅ Irvine , CA Wells Fargo ⋅ 17 years experience

Hi India.
Before making any personal financial investment in the Project Management training, I would encourage you to find out what type of skill set you really want. PMP is just a certificate, and you are already graduating with a Bachelors Degree which is significantly more valued. If you only had a high school GED, then I would say go get your pmp certificate. Ask yourself if this really aligns with your current Human Resources training as many employers will not see the immediate connection unless you demonstrate clear association to your Military experience "that is where you will really shine!" If you see project management as your true interest, then I would encourage you to consider studying Agile and Lean management as this practice spans across several industries and is in greater demand due to it's abilities to deliver faster results, be more efficient and show metrics on overall performance. Every major Financial Services and Technology company is focused on these attributes of "project management" and would provide a welcomed transition in your next career.
Website for learning about Agile and Lean management from MIT University is free to anyone. http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

All the best to you!

Douglas Lavelle ⋅ Chatham , NJ Financial Services ⋅ 24 years experience

India,
Many thanks for your service. I thought would be of particular interest.
Best-
Doug
-Top 25 Project Management Blogs-
https://www.upwork.com/blog/2009/05/top-25-project-management-blogs/

Chris Moore ⋅ Sacramento , CA Precipio LLC ⋅ 18 years experience

India, three immediate steps:
1. Begin the PMP exam application on-line (you don't need to be a member) at http://www.pmi.org/en/Certification/Project-Management-Professional-PMP.aspx (hit blue button Apply Now). NOTE: if you don't have the hours of project experience, apply for the Certified Associate in PM, requires experience OR 22 hours of training. I can help over the phone, you need your resume and references.
2. Find an exam prep course (works for either PMP or CAPM): your PMI chapter usually once fall and spring semester; a prep course book (Crowe, Mulcahey); a commercial on-line course; a commercial in-person course (4-day boot camp); plan a six-month study program; take the exam.
3. Purchase and learn MS-Project through local MScertified training center (New Horizons, other).
Chris Moore, PMP and certified instructor chrismoorepmp@yahoo.com 916.402.2756 Good Luck:)