What a Project Director at PATH Ventures Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Real Estate Development Industry
Michael, a Project Director at PATH Ventures, advises aspiring project managers to "expect things to go wrong," as unforeseen problems are inherent to the industry and should not be taken personally. This acceptance, he explains, will alleviate stress and allow one to focus on problem-solving rather than self-criticism, ultimately leading to a more successful and less stressful career.
Project Management, Problem-Solving, Resilience, Stress Management, Overcoming Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Busse
Project Director
PATH Ventures
Loyola Marymount University, 2016
UCLA Master's of Urban and Regional Planning
Entrepreneurship
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking, Real Estate
Real Estate
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. Expect things to go wrong and don't take it personally. Problems are inevitable in project management, and it's crucial to approach them as a challenge to solve rather than a personal failure.
2. Learn to adapt and overcome challenges. The ability to adjust to unexpected problems is essential for success in this field.
3. It's all part of the deal, and things will work out. Maintain a positive mindset and focus on the solutions, knowing that setbacks are temporary and can be overcome with effective problem-solving skills
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
Something I wish I knew before I started that would have caused me less stress is to just expect things to go wrong. When I was first starting out as a project manager, when something went wrong, it would really freak me out.
I'd think, "Oh no, I messed this up," or, "Oh no, there's a problem with the contractor or the construction site that I just don't know how to deal with." I believed it could be the end of the project.
I had to learn that it wasn't a "me problem." Things are going to go wrong constantly. Every few weeks, or if you're lucky, every few months, something will go wrong.
This will take all your focus to figure out, and that's just part of the job. That's just the way the industry works. You can't take it personally.
You have to say, "Okay, this is what we're doing now. This is what we're figuring out," and focus on it until you solve it and move on. If you expect things to go smoothly, you'll be disappointed and stressed, and you'll end up being too tough on yourself.
You just have to understand that it's all part of the deal, and things will work out. Everything will be fine as long as you do your job.
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