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Let's cast our net wider.
This post is for anyone, specifically servicemembers either separating or retiring from the military. There are a lot of ongoing conversations about the experience that servicemembers have weighed against the responsibilities of a Project Manager; although valid, there's more to the role; even when studying the PMBOK, you are exposed to different areas in which I can honestly say not every servicemember has experience, i.e., budgeting and resource management.
What is Project Management?
So, How does project management compare to the responsibilities of a servicemember?
As servicemembers, we are highly skilled, can navigate through ambiguity, are excellent communicators, and can prioritize responsibilities assigned to us. We attend leadership school and become supervisors/managers reasonably young. Two of our most significant traits that compliment Project Management are staying on time and always on task. Great qualities but not enough to confidently navigate this area as well as compete against those that have the corporate exposure of PM including knowing how to weave in and out of PM-related tools such as Jira, MS Project, Salesforce, SAP, SAP Ariba or methodologies such as Agile and Scrum even familiarity with the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), if interested in becoming an IT Project Manager.
You must reassess if you can't confidently speak on the projects you've managed or led in an interview.
This is in no way to discourage anyone; if Project Management is your goal, then go for it, but for those looking for different career paths that may or may not have a direct correlation to project management, I have the list for you. The jobs below are from my research on LinkedIn and that I find worth exploring. I've tried to closely match them to their specific function, but I may be off a bit for some. But as an everyday mantra on LinkedIn, find mentors in these areas to learn more about the roles!
I hope this helps!
Administrative/Business
Administrative Business Partner
Business Operations
Business Support
Business Analyst
Business Intelligence Analyst
Business Transformation
Change Management
Chief of Staff
Product Owner
Product Analyst
Product Specialist
Resource Manager
Product Manager
Product Delivery Manager
Process Analyst/Manager
Governance Analyst
Knowledge Management
Engagement Manager
Partnership Manager
Business Development Manager
Partner Success Manager
Customer Success Manager
eCommerce Manager
Alliance Manager
Corporate Development
Operational Excellence
Sponsorships
Licensing Coordinator/Manager
Performance Management Analyst
Quality Assurance/Management
Technology
IT Business Partner
IT Operations
Implementation Consultant
Implementation Specialist
Account Delivery Manager
Account Support Manager
Customer Solutions Manager
Technical Operations Manager
Trust & Safety
Digital Transformation
Software Analyst
Software Manager
IT Asset Manager
Data Analyst
Technical Manager
Release Manager
IT Governance
Configuration Manager
Human Resource/L&D
Human Resource Business Partner (HRBP)
Talent & Culture
Workforce Management
People Business Partner
Learning Partner
Talent Management
Learning & Development
HR Operations
Onboarding Specialist
Supply Chain/Logistics/Procurement
Acquisition Management
Vendor Management
Supply Chain Business Partner
Business Operations Manager
Strategic Sourcing
Procurement Category
Procurement Manager
Procurement Specialist
Buyer
Category Sourcing
Supplier Diversity Manager
Vendor Solutions Manager
Sourcing Specialist
Commodity Manager
Contract Manager
Property/Asset Management
Maintenance/Operations
Facilities Specialist
Field Service Engineer
Service Operations
Area Manager
Operations Manager
Construction Manager
Operations Specialist
Facility Operations
Operations Engineer
Systems Manager
Maintenance Manager
Facilities Manager
Facilities Technology Services
Data Center Manager
Site Manager
Integrated Support Program Manager
Finance
Project Control Analyst
Business Risk/Control
Financial Systems Analyst
Financial Planning/Analysis Specialist
Controller
Finance Manager
Proposal Manager
Proposal Analyst
Risk Analyst
Risk Project Analyst
Program Finance Analyst
Principal Pricing Analyst
Portfolio/Program/Project Management
PMO Analyst
PMO Manager
PMO Lead
PMO Specialist
PMO Project Analyst
Portfolio Analyst
Portfolio Operations Analyst
Portfolio Manager
Program Management Specialist
Program Specialist
Program Analyst
Management Analyst
Project Quality