29 November, 2007
Dear Editor,
I am a 42 year old PM working for a multi-billion $ software company in Omaha, NE. My current duties center mostly on internal software upgrades, enhancements, hot fixes, etc. Over the last 10 – 15 years, I have managed several software implementations from a few thousand dollars to a portfolio of statewide, enterprise class, software implementations in excess of $50 million. I spent 13 years in Pennsylvania State government running various state projects/agencies and I ran for State office twice (PM skills were a huge bonus in running my campaigns as well as those of other candidates).
I have had some wonderful experiences and each one has prepared me for subsequent PM opportunities. I am now ready to make the transition to the next level and would like to have the opportunity to publish PM articles and use my speaking skills to spread the good word on project management.
This is why yours has become one of my favorite websites.
I have researched dozens and dozens of PM sites. PMFORUM was the first website that not only caught my attention for the volume of information available, but for the people who are associated with PMFORUM. These are the types of PM professionals that I want to become. No other website offers such a diverse grouping of PM leaders under one link. I read the Bios (and case studies) of the folks you have assembled on your website and literally hunger for the experiences they (and you) have collected. These folks have become my “virtual mentors”.
In fact, I would really like to see your thoughts or a story/paper on mentoring. Just Google “mentoring, mentor programs, project management” and you’ll find the screen filled with mentor programs for a variety of fields, but sans the project management profession.
Mr. Pells, I have the “fire in the belly” approach to PM that seems to be in short supply. Can you please help me identify an approach (including books, seminars, organizations) that I can tap into that would help me realize my goal of making the transition to the next level of project management? I am confident, with hard work, I can make the move to the world you live and work in but I just don’t know how. Your advice and counsel would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Please keep up the good work at www.pmforum.org.
Best regards.
Ted Koval
Omaha, Nebraska, USA
tkoval@cox.net
