Not bad for an Ashford grad

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by friendorfoe, Jun 18, 2012.

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  1. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    So I thought some of you here might be interested. After being turned down for the next level project manager position within my organization’s IT Department 3 times (consecutively actually) I decided to branch out and put in for a higher position within a different department. My company is starting a quasi-PMO (Project Management Office) with no formal authority but with approval/veto power for funding all projects over $200,000 (which is just as good as having formal authority in some cases). Anyhow the unit will be brand new and my responsibility will be to raise project management literacy organization wide. They were looking for a Project Manager Coordinator to act as an organizational SME, internal consultant, coach, teacher and whatever else falls within my scope (which has not been fully defined) and my group will report to a senior executive steering committee consisting of our CIO, CFO, COO and a handful of other VPs (a lot of brass).

    Anyhow so I put in for this job which although less defined is somewhat senior to the jobs that I had been turned down for in the past 6 months. The part that gets interesting is that my PMP was merely a “check box” (had to have it) and my experience was limited though cross functional. They specifically mentioned that they were impressed with the fact that I had an MBA and viewed this as a deciding factor that “edged (me) ahead of the other applicants” and they feel this will better equip me to deal with all levels of the organization and a variety of cross functional units.

    The job is a 10% bump in pay (initially) with a much, much higher ceiling and median than I currently make and before taking the job I negotiated working from home 1 day a week (guaranteed as a condition of acceptance). My soon to be former employer offered me the promotion I was turned down 3 times in the last 6 months for if I would agree to stay to which I politely declined (they would match the initial money but the ceiling and median were about $10K annually lower). Even though I regret that I have to leave IT (again) I am excited about the potential that building a new unit and “inventing” a new job would bring.

    Now here’s the best bit. My soon to be new senior manager already told me they want to “send (me) to school” and asked me to start picking advanced project management training and resources. I’m salivating at the possibilities. They questioned my MIS graduate degree (of which I am half way complete) and asked me if I were planning on completing it to which I said “yes” however truth be told, if they would pay for a Boston U. MS in PM I’d do that in a heartbeat and complete the Bellevue program whenever I get around to it on my own dime, but for now I’m eyeballing Boston U. and for certificate programs at Stanford and e-Cornell. They were up front with being willing to spend money and basically said that the advanced training would not only make me better at what I do but would lend credence to my SME status among the organization’s project managers and increase buy in which they feel is essential to success (and I agree).

    So the lesson learned here is…the MBA at Ashford was rough and sometimes the schools credibility due to their profit status may be questioned on forums like this, but in my case it’s the investment that continues to pay dividends. I do not regret earning it for one second and even though it was the totality of my qualifications that got me the job, the MBA was a key component.

    Not bad for an Ashford grad.
     
  2. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    What a great story! Thanks for sharing it.
     
  3. rebel100

    rebel100 New Member

    Congrats, I hope to write a story like that of my own one day soon.
     
  4. JBjunior

    JBjunior Active Member

    Congrats, sounds like an exciting time.
     
  5. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Congrats, great story!
     
  6. skidadl

    skidadl Member

    Awesome man!
     
  7. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    Awesome, congrats!
     
  8. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Congratulations! That's a very good reminder that the real world doesn't always respond to things like degree web forum commentators might often suggest.
     
  9. skidadl

    skidadl Member

    Stop it with all of this sense that you are talking.
     
  10. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    I usually don't chime in on these congratulatory threads, but that was totally awesome. Congradulations!!!
     
  11. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat


    Indeed - clouding an issue with facts is just not right!

    Well played, fof!
     
  12. ryoder

    ryoder New Member

    Congratulations on your promotion. I work with people in the PMO and my company also requires a PMP. I do think the MBA helps edge a candidate closer to the finish line. My MBA is also from a for profit, nobody heard of it school but an MBA is an MBA and I do have a better understanding of business now. So it was worth it for me and for you I see.
    I was recently recognized as well but can't publicize it here. I think my MBA played a role.
     
  13. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Send me a PM with it...just curious
     
  14. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    Thanks everyone. When I was working towards my MBA I lived off of success stories of others to help keep me motivated. Hopefully this is me doing my part for someone out there who is in the same boat I used to be in. It does pay off.

    One caveat though...the MBA is not a destination but rather just another milestone in a journey. I am a strong advocate of continuous learning and without being able to quickly learn and adapt to changes (such as earning my PMP, etc.) my MBA would have done nothing on its own. It is just a part of a mosaic that makes up my experience and qualifications, a mosaic that is never "finished" until the day I retire. I do occassionally run into MBAs that have not done a thing since college and often their careers stall. So if you are working towards a respective credential, don't get too comfortable after you finish, you can slow down, but never stop.
     

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