Charbel H. asked a question to Aly M.
I have more than 13 years an IT system administrator and I need to switch to a project management career so I learned many skills related to project management but I need an entry-level job but I tried to apply at Nokia but I received a direct rejection
Start by letting your manager and the people in your network know about your interest. Many career transitions begin with a simple conversation. You do not always need to start from an entry-level position. You can grow into a project management path right from where you are.
That is how it started for me. Early in my career, I was working as an engineer focused on technical tasks. At some point, I took the initiative to plan and lead the deployment of test automation across our department. It was not an official manager role, but it gave me the chance to coordinate people, timelines, and outcomes, which is the essence of project management.
That experience opened the door for my next role as a Change Leader, where I started driving process improvements and supporting team alignment. From there, I became a Project Manager and eventually a Transformation Manager, leading programs that connect strategy, people, and execution.
So my advice is this: start small, take ownership where you are, and use every opportunity to demonstrate leadership and structure. Rejection is normal, and I have had my share too, but each “no” builds experience and resilience. Every time you step up, you get one step closer to your “yes.”
I appreciate your reply and thx for sharing your life experience
Hi Charbel, you're welcome, and best of luck with your project management journey 😊
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