gtag('config', 'G-6TW216G7W9', { 'user_id': wix.currentUser.id });
top of page

Lauren, Project Manager at Current Companies: JDI LLC & Vigil Family Wines - Former Company: Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards: Advize Career Interview

From student orientation leader to project manager at JDI LLC and Vigil Family Wines, Lauren's career path showcases diverse experiences in marketing, business development, and now construction and wine project management.

A typical day involves juggling numerous projects, constant communication, and financial oversight.

Communication and organization are key for success, alongside adaptability and enjoying the constant learning within a small business environment.

Challenges include balancing multiple roles and shifting between daily tasks and long-term planning. Thriving in this fast-paced industry requires strong communication skills, relationship building, and proactive planning.

Entry-level positions vary depending on the sector, highlighting the importance of networking and building connections with everyone, as these relationships can open doors to new opportunities.

Intentional relationship building in college, particularly with like-minded individuals at WP Carey, played a significant role in their career trajectory, demonstrating the value of creating a strong network for future success.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Lauren Vigil

Project Manager

Current Companies: JDI LLC & Vigil Family Wines - Former Company: Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards

Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey

​

Legal & Policy, Business Management & Admin, Marketing

Construction

Operations and Project Management

Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path Of A Project Manager At Vigil Family Wines

Starting with college experiences as a student orientation leader, the career path then included marketing internships at a boutique agency (Mission Critical graphics) and J&L Marketing, coupled with freelance work for small businesses. After deciding against law school, Lauren pursued marketing, ascending from Marketing Coordinator to Business Development Manager at Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards before transitioning to project management at JDI LLC and Vigil Family Wines, highlighting experience not only with construction project management but also involvement in starting a family-owned winery and producing an upcoming first vintage of wines.

Career Path Of A Project Manager At Vigil Family Wines

A Day In The Life Of A Project Manager At JDI LLC

A project manager's day at JDI LLC & Vigil Family Wines, according to Lauren, is unpredictable and dictated by client needs across "upwards of 10 to 15 projects at a time," requiring constant communication via "phone and email and meetings." An important aspect of the role also involves managing the financial side, including billings and ensuring projects close out as projected.

A Day In The Life Of A Project Manager At JDI LLC

Most Important Skills For A Project Manager At JDI LLC And Vigil Family Wines

Lauren, a Project Manager with experience in both construction and wine, emphasizes that "communication is definitely number one," crucial for keeping clients and vendors aligned and avoiding surprises; organization is also key, particularly in the "fast-paced" construction industry, enabling proactive planning and efficient information tracking for success.

Most Important Skills For A Project Manager At JDI LLC And Vigil Family Wines

Favorite Parts Of Being A Project Manager At A Small Business

Lauren enjoys the variety and constant learning that comes with working for a small business, noting that "every single day has something new thrown at you." The role is also "that much more rewarding" because one manages projects from beginning to end and has "full control of the outcome," a change from previous corporate roles.

Favorite Parts Of Being A Project Manager At A Small Business

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Project Manager At Small Businesses

As a project manager in a small business, the biggest challenges are "juggling all of the different roles" and the mental gear-shifting required to stay on top of everything. Lauren finds it particularly difficult to shift focus from the immediate daily tasks to the future-oriented work of creating new business opportunities, which involves planning as far as four years out.

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Project Manager At Small Businesses

Favorite Parts of Working in the Lighting and Electrical Industry as a Project Manager

Lauren, a Project Manager in electrical construction and lighting, enjoys the constant learning and new information gained from each job. Working for a small business, Lauren appreciates "taking on all these new things" and learning the different facets of the business, as "every single one is so different".

Favorite Parts of Working in the Lighting and Electrical Industry as a Project Manager

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Construction Industry, According To A Project Manager

Lauren believes that being both "organized and fast paced" is crucial for success in the construction industry, as most jobs demand it and colleagues appreciate it. Furthermore, strong communication skills and relationship building are essential for establishing credibility and ensuring that one thrives in the field.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Construction Industry, According To A Project Manager

What A Project Manager At Gloria Ferrer Caves And Vineyards Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Wine Industry

Lauren wishes someone had emphasized the importance of proactive planning in project management, even amidst daily tasks, as the more someone plans and prepares for the future, rather than being "stuck in the weeds of things," the more successful they will be in the long run. This foresight seems particularly valuable given their diverse project management background spanning wine production and other industries.

What A Project Manager At Gloria Ferrer Caves And Vineyards Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Wine Industry

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Project Managers

Lauren, a Project Manager at JDI LLC & Vigil Family Wines, suggests that entry-level positions in the field are highly dependent on the specific area of interest, noting that "there is kind of an entry level position for every business sector of the construction industry," with examples including marketing coordinators, inside sales roles, project management coordinators, and entry-level accounting positions. Size and type of company dictates what opportunities are available.

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Project Managers

Significant Career Lesson From a Project Manager at Gloria Ferrer

Lauren emphasizes the importance of networking and building connections with everyone, regardless of their perceived relevance, as "every connection... can make a huge difference in the future" because you never know when you might need to "utilize that connection" in either your personal or professional life, which could open new doors to career advancement. As a Project Manager, she finds "the more connections you have and the closer you are to them, the more you can kind of pull those... levers" for success.

Significant Career Lesson From a Project Manager at Gloria Ferrer

College Experiences That Helped A Project Manager At JDI LLC Succeed

Lauren attributes career success to intentionally "building relationships" with classmates, not just within the business school, emphasizing that "you never know where these people are gonna end up in life," and that these connections can lead to valuable future collaborations, which highlights the importance of networking for career-minded students.

College Experiences That Helped A Project Manager At JDI LLC Succeed

Project Manager At JDI LLC And Gloria Ferrer

Lauren found the most impactful experience at WP Carey to be the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who had a shared "focus on business" and eagerness to learn, which was "eye-opening" in the context of embarking on different career paths. The people and connections made proved to be very important.

bottom of page