Own Your Career Path to Project Management

Most project managers think the biggest barriers to career growth are experience, certifications, or technical skills. But the real obstacle is often something far less obvious: trust. In this episode, Cheri Smith and I explore the hidden gaps that keep talented professionals from landing interviews, earning promotions, and becoming the obvious choice in a crowded market. We dive into why position...

If you’re using AI to help you pivot into project management, you might actually be sabotaging your own positioning without even realizing it. In this episode, we break down how relying on tools like ChatGPT to rewrite your resume can quietly destroy your credibility—and why it leads to fewer callbacks, more frustration, and a cycle of burnout. You’ll get a clear understanding of what’s really goi...

If you’ve ever questioned whether your experience actually “counts” as project management, this episode is your wake-up call. We’re breaking down the difference between real project management experience and resume fluff—and uncovering the hidden ways you may already be doing PM work without realizing it. You’ll get a powerful mindset shift, a clear definition of what truly qualifies as a project,...

Why is it so hard to land a job in 2026 — even if you’re highly qualified? In this episode, we break down exactly why the 2026 job market feels brutal, especially for experienced professionals trying to pivot into project management or level up their careers. If you’ve applied to 50, 100, or even 200 roles and feel like you’re shouting into a void, you’re not imagining it. AI in hiring, automation...

In this episode, we break down how to nail a project manager interview and convert more interviews into offers by focusing on positioning, confidence, and hiring manager psychology. If you’re landing interviews but not getting offers, the problem isn’t your experience — it’s how you’re framing it. You’ll learn why clarity reduces perceived risk, how to shift from a doer mindset to a leadership min...

🎯 Struggling to Translate Your Experience into a Project Management Role? You're not alone—and this episode is your ultimate guide to finally bridge that gap. If you're pivoting your career into project management but can't quite articulate your experience in the right language, this is for you. Kayla breaks down why talented professionals often feel stuck—even after years of experience—and how y...

Thinking about a career transition into project management but feeling stuck without a certification? In this episode, we bust the myth that you *must* have a PMP to land your first project management role. 🚀 Career coach Kayla Quijas shares real stories of professionals who successfully pivoted into PM roles—with or without the PMP. From touring band managers to ex-Marines, discover how reframin...

Thinking about transitioning into project management but don’t have the title?  In this episode, we bust the myth that you must have prior PM experience to make the switch. Whether you're a generalist, career pivot-er, or stuck in a role that no longer serves you, this conversation is your guide to confidently owning your value and making the leap into project management. 🚀 We explore: What count...

Making a career pivot into project management can feel overwhelming—especially when you don’t know anyone in the field. In this episode, Kayla Quijas and Nada Bhuhendi dive into the real challenges of networking, especially for career changers, introverts, and those transitioning from non-traditional roles. 🎯 In this episode, you'll learn: • Why building a network before you need it is crucial fo...

In Episode 3, I’m joined by the incredible Nada Buhendi to unpack exactly what it really takes to break into project management — even if you’ve never held the official title. You’ll hear how I went from cake decorator to Senior Project Manager, and how my client Frank landed a senior PM role without the PMP — by learning how to reframe his existing experience and build the kind of network that op...

If you feel pulled toward project management… but keep doubting yourself because your career path looks messy, you’ve never had the project manager title, or you don’t feel qualified yet, this episode is for you. This conversation breaks down why “I’m not ready” is usually not a skills problem — it’s a confidence and clarity problem. You’ll learn how to connect the dots in your experience, spot th...

If you’re trying to pivot into a project manager role but keep hearing that voice in your head — “I’m not qualified… I’ve never had the title… I’m too busy… I need more education first” — this episode is for you. In Episode 1, we’re diagnosing the real reason your project management pivot feels so hard even when you’ve already done the work: identity lag. (Yep — you can have the experience and sti...