"I was working as an environmental engineer, but I wanted to transition into project management. I was lacking project management experience and my manager told me I would have difficulty making the move without taking a step back in my career. I decided to look for creative ways to gain the experience I needed to justify a chance to step into the role at a level comparable with the salary and benefits level I was at.

My first move was to join several business resource groups and volunteer efforts within my company. I volunteered to manage as many tasks as possible including managing a community technology recycling program involving fifty volunteers, third parties, and a significant budget.

I also took several classes on project management online to improve my knowledge of best practices and I sought out a mentor. Within a year and a half, I gained a respectable amount of experience and felt confident that I could be successful in the role.

The manager who hired me for my first PM role was impressed with my initiative and creative plan to gain the experience I needed. I have successfully managed environmental engineering projects for over 6 years now and I am ready to demonstrate the same level of creativity and tenacity as a senior project manager here at Jacobs."