College Experiences That Helped a Senior Project Manager at an eCommerce Company Succeed
Melissa's undergraduate experience provided invaluable training in project management, teaching essential skills like "time management and scheduling," and identifying personal strengths and weaknesses through independent learning and group projects. This self-reliance and organizational experience, honed by the need to manage one's own academic success, directly translated into the planning and execution skills crucial for a successful career as a Senior Project Manager.
Time Management, Organizational Skills, Self-Reliance, Planning, Strengths and Weaknesses
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Melissa Murray
Senior Project Manager
eCommerce Leader in Health and Wellness Supplements
San Diego State University
NA
Classics, Spanish Literature
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Operations and Project Management
Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Melissa utilized college to cultivate essential organizational skills, including time management and scheduling, which are fundamental to project management.
2. She emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and responsibility in college, highlighting how managing one's academic life prepares individuals for the demands of a professional career.
3. Her experience with group projects in college helped her identify her strengths and weaknesses and learn how to play an effective role in a team environment, skills directly transferable to project management roles.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I feel college is an invaluable experience. I know it's not for everyone, but I think it really helps you in project management.
It's really up to you, even from a base level of planning. It's up to you to do time management and schedule out what you need to work on. You need to figure out what to study for finals and what to focus on.
You quickly learn those organizational skills, and also your strengths and weaknesses. As I mentioned, in group project environments, you find out quickly what role you play.
At the end of the day, you can't graduate college without a good GPA and success in your courses. So it requires you to determine your end goal and figure out how to get there.
There's a lot of planning involved. You also get to know your strengths and weaknesses more than in high school. In high school, you have more support from teachers and parents.
When you're in college, especially if you're away from home, you have to rely on yourself. You have to get your stuff together quickly and lean into the fact that nobody else is in charge of you; you're in charge of you.
I think those are some of the skills you really learn in college, whether it's community college or for any graduate degree you pursue. These skills help you in project management and really in any job environment.
Advizer Personal Links
linkedin.com/in/melissa-murray-pmp-342b0481