College Experiences That Helped an Associate Project Manager at Adobe Succeed
Jessie's undergraduate success stemmed from a combination of factors including "working so much," which built a strong professional network, participation in clubs that fostered teamwork skills, and proactive certifications like the CAPM, which demonstrated commitment to a project management career. These experiences, including "those stupid group projects," ultimately proved invaluable in securing competitive internships and a successful career at Adobe.
Project Management, Teamwork, Networking, Career Development, Certifications
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jessie Nigel
Associate project manager
Adobe
California State University, Chico
N/a
Business Management & Admin
Technology, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Operations and Project Management
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Developed strong professional relationships with professors and colleagues who provided support during internship and job searches.
2. Actively participated in clubs and sororities to enhance teamwork, collaboration, and leadership skills.
3. Obtained relevant certifications like CAPM and Scrum Master to demonstrate commitment to project management and gain a competitive edge in the job market
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
In undergrad, I was working so much, but it wasn't to find an internship. I just needed a job to support myself through school, though it ended up working out well. I had people in my corner when it came time for internship season and for getting a job. They were all there to support me and write letters of recommendation.
In college, I also joined a bunch of clubs. That helped because I learned to work on teams, collaborate with different people, and manage a club. At the end of college, I got my CAPM, which is an associate certification in project management. It's a test through the PMI that basically shows you know what you're talking about in PM terms.
The PMP requires five years of experience and makes you a professional. That one is more challenging and takes more time to prepare for. I also got my Scrum Master certification after doing the training. That was more specific to Adobe, as I knew they used the Scrum methodology.
Getting those certifications can be costly, and I know when you're in college, the last thing you want to do is spend more money. But it helps for competitive internships when you need to prove you want the role. For my internship, many people wanted to become a PM, and I did the certifications to prove my strong desire for that role.
Having those certifications makes you look better and gives you more knowledge. I still think about things I learned in those trainings in my career. College really set me up for that, along with working in teams.
I was also in a sorority, where I learned to meet people and work with different personalities. I was in leadership, which involved helping with many aspects of the organization. Even those difficult group projects in college, where you might have preferred to work alone, all contribute to your future success.
I feel like I just rambled, but those are the things that helped me prepare for my career outside of college.