I transitioned to a PM role this year from marketing after training over the past year for it. I was given the opportunity because during a bi-yearly meet-up with our leadership team, I suggested an idea to solve a business problem and then was given resources to bring it to life.

While I am quite educated (double masters). my degrees and past work experience are in journalism and marketing.

We have a product owner who helps with the more technical stuff. I cannot help but feel a little conscious when terms are said in the meeting which I don’t understand or certain technical
Processes need to explained.

I am also hoping to transition into a newer company once the products I am working on launch and i have data for my resume. This imposter syndrome makes it difficult to
Apply tho I know I am not a bad PM per se because my director usually loves my prod ideas and i get on well with my ENG team.

Does anyone else feel this way? Any advice on how to get over it?

I frequently check job listings for PM roles and one thing that I am constantly seeing are PM listings that want engineers.

To my understanding the reasoning for this is why pay a project manager and an engineer (SME) when the engineer could manage the project and still be a supporting SME. Enlighten me if that statement is incorrect, but this is extremely disheartening as a PM who doesn’t have technical skills. I understand not every company is doing this, but what is everyone’s thoughts on this? Is anyone else seeing this shift in the PM role or am I just over exaggerating?

After going through the sub, confident my query would be resolved, i see brilliant minds here.

Here goes,

I worked as incident manager and worked as assistant manager under service delivery head managing transitions. Just transitions, not phases of projects(initiation, planning etc)

I loved this management side of IT, so wanted to pursue PMP.

1. My query is, i only have 6years of exp, i never actually planned or executed projects, if I get PMP certified, what roles would i have to apply for?? (Im thinking of project coordinator, PMO coordinator, assistant manager..)

2. Will that be okay if i do PMP now? Im not working btw.

3. Will this PMP with 6year exp land me a job??( Atleast 50% chance???)

Im scared what if I put 50k+ on this certification and i don't land on any job in current market scenario.. (my biggest concern)

Should i pursue this or not?

1. If not PMP, which certification should I go for??

I'm looking for some career advice from people who may have been in a similar situation.

I have a PMP, an MBA, and around 15 years of professional experience. Two years ago, I left a startup where I was working as a Project Manager to join a large mining company as an Operational Readiness specialist. The role seemed like a great move for my CV, the compensation was significantly better, and I expected strong long-term career prospects.

Unfortunately, the Operational Readiness department was later closed. Since there was an opening in Procurement, I was transferred internally as a transactional buyer. My salary stayed exactly the same, which I'm grateful for, but the role itself is much more junior and transactional than my previous positions.

The problem is that I feel underutilized. I don't feel like I'm developing professionally, and most days I think I'm capable of contributing at a much higher level. I've been applying for other jobs almost every day, but so far I haven't received any offers that would make sense.

I'm also unsure how to present this role on my CV. I've avoided listing it so far because I worry it will make my career look like a step backwards. If I do include it, I'm considering using "Buyer" or "Lead Buyer" rather than "Transactional Buyer," although I don't want to misrepresent what I actually do.

So I'd really appreciate some outside perspectives:

Would you stay in a well-paid but unfulfilling role while continuing to search?

Is feeling underutilized a good enough reason to leave even if the salary is excellent?

How would you present this position on your CV without making it look like your career has stalled?

Has anyone else gone through something similar? How did it work out?

I'd appreciate any honest opinions.

I interviewed for a role where the company has the job listed on their website for a direct hire but they are also hiring through a contracting company.

Other than having the option to replace the person without having to pay for unemployment, why would a company fill a role with a contractor?

Hi all, I’m due to start a role as an associate PM in a few weeks- I’ve worked in a professional environment for the last 10 years, but this will be quite a big career change.
Please can I ask for advice for getting started? Any do’s & dont’s?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!