Apr
28
2010
Hi everyone. It’s been a slow month for posting as we finish up the semester, but the PMSA is still at work. We’ve started posting last year’s conference presentations to YouTube. Due to the size limitations, the sessions are divided into 7 parts but that might make it easier to watch at work (ahem).
The first session was Jeff Hallett, Director of Program Management Support Services and Assistant Vice President for Corporate Outreach for PMI, DC chapter. He shared his thoughts on emerging trends in project and program management in federal contracting. You can see it here.
The next session we have posted is Sara J. Kessinger, Director of Knowledge Management of Metier, delivering an engaging disussion of trends in blended software and service products for project and portfolio management, specifically focused on Metier’s Worklenz product. Watch this session here.
We’re working to post all the sessions we recorded, so I’ll keep you updated as we add more. Don’t forget to get your tickets for this year’s conference here
Apr
2
2010
Hi everyone,
So far, we received a few applications for next year’s board but none for President! I hope I didn’t scare you away. Actually, in my experience, project managers tend to be a competitive bunch so maybe I need to issue a challenge.
Seriously, one thing I didn’t mention last week are the soft-skills you’ll gain experience with, which might be good if you, like me, are in a field that tends toward the technical rather than social.
These skills include:
- Writing, especially to organizations and businesses
- Public speaking
- Delivering virtual presentations
- Negotiation
- Advertising, PR, selling ideas
- Leading meetings
Working with volunteers is, as many of you know, quite different than working with employees but the skill sets overlap and what you do here will help you on the job.
So please consider applying for next year.
Thanks all,
Craig Baker
President,
GW PMSA
Apr
1
2010
Hi everyone,
We’ve had some trouble with the membership application form so if you’ve filled out a membership application on this site and we haven’t welcomed you to the PMSA, please fill out the application again. You can always email us at pmsa@gwu.edu if you have any concerns about an application or form you submitted.
Thanks,
Craig.
Mar
23
2010
It’s time for the PMSA to collect applications for next year’s board so I thought I’d take a moment to say a few words about serving.
I am graduating in the fall, so I will not be returning. I’ve held two positions with the PMSA: 2008-09 VP of Marketing and 2009-10 President. As most of you know, I am a distance student, as are many of my fellow board members. This year we’ve proven that it is possible to do almost everything from a distance but I’ll admit it isn’t easy. Virtual management is always tricky but it’s more complicated in a school setting where most of the resources assume you’re on campus.
It is, however, very rewarding. As the VP of Marketing, I had a chance to create marketing campaigns and explore various social marketing strategies. As president, I’ve had an opportunity to make strong connections and work with a lot of people I would not have met otherwise. The experience and connections I gained through serving have really added another dimension to my education here at GW.
If you’re interested in serving on next year’s board, I invite you to fill out our Board Member Application, on our site: http://bit.ly/bqqMbX You must be a graduate student to serve on the board but you do not have to be in the MSPM program.
I do have two recommendations: first, the president usually speaks at orientation and, because it’s easier to start partnerships face-to-face, it’s a role best suited to someone who can come to campus once a semester. Second, the role of VP of Events is probably best suited to a campus student because it involves coordinating local activities like finding rooms and venues.
We will accept applications until April 15, an easy to remember deadline. If you have any questions about the responsibilities, please feel free to send me an email.
The PMSA is in a truly unique position to add value to the students, engage the alumni, and increase the visibility and prestige of the MSPM program. I encourage you to consider serving on the board and taking the association in new directions.
Craig Baker
President,
GW PMSA
Mar
8
2010
Last year, the PMSA held its first project management conference, which was a tremendous success. This year, we’re doing it again!
Check it out and purchase tickets here.
Check out last year’s conference page here.
We’re still adding and refining so return often for more information.
Feb
18
2010
Are you aware of the services available through the F. David Fowler Career Center? Do you know they Career Center has career coaches available for both campus and distance students. Have you used their online resources?
To answer these questions and more, the PMSA and the Career Center are teaming up to offer a webinar to cover the services available to you. Sylvia Gray, a career consultant with the Career Center, will deliver the presentation and also answer your questions.
A lot of things have changed since most of us went through orientation. I’ve been using their services to help me plan for a career transition and I’ve been really impressed. I encourage you to attend the webinar to learn more.
The webinar is open to students and alumni only, so we’re asking you to register with your GWU email address. There is more information on the webinar below and you can always send questions to pmsa@gwu.edu. I hope to see you there.
The webinar is now available here.
It runs 1 hour and 20 minutes.
——————————————————————————-
The F. David Fowler Career Center (FDFCC) provides full service to all MSPM students. We have a myriad of resources including:
In-house or telephone appointments with a career coach for:
· Career strategy and advising sessions
· Professional document review (resume and cover letter)
· Self Marketing Plan construction
· Networking advice
· Interview prep
· Offer negotiation
An extensive Resources webpage which includes access to:
· Our online job board (GWorkSB). Access GWorkSB through our webpage and Register to create an account.
· A full suite of online tools including VAULT Graduate, GoinGlobal, Selectory (for in-depth company research), and Interview Stream.
· Meridian University Solution’s online career management course, Career Navigator, as well as Quantum Career Momentum for professionals transitioning within their own company, and Entrepreneurship for those students wanting to determine if starting their own business is right for them.
Jan
28
2010
I recently finished an article in an older issue of the Harvard Business Review entitled What Only the CEO Can Do (May 2009, by A.G. Lafley) As I read it, I realized, like many HBR articles, that the principles described can be applied in another way. In the article, then Proctor and Gamble CEO A. G. Lafley suggests a company’s CEO is the link between the operation inside the company and the world outside. In this capacity, there are four tasks that only the CEO can perform.
I’ll paraphrase the four tasks because they’re slightly out of context here, but I highly recommend reading the article (Reprint R0905D):
- Define the what’s important to the company in the outside world.
- Decide what business the company is in.
- Balance short term and long term goals.
- Shape the values and standards by which the company operates.
If you think of yourself as the CEO of your own career, you can translate these four tasks into crucial activities that only you can do:
- Define what is meaningful to you
- Decide what you’re going to do with your career
- Balance the immediate needs of your life with long term goals
- Determine your personal values and standards and hold yourself to them
Let me break these down. Continue Reading »
Jan
13
2010
One of my duties as president is to speak to the incoming MSPM students about the PMSA. Orientation was last week, so I headed down to DC, taking the opportunity to meet with a few groups while I was there.
First, I’d like to welcome the 41 new students and wish all of you luck. The program you are entering is a challe
nging, yet rewarding one. You will meet a lot of talented people from a wide range of backgrounds, industries, and locations, making this an excellent way to increase your network. At the same time, you will undoubtedly learn something new regardless of how much experience you have in project management.
If you’re a student who has been in the program for a semester or more, you may be interested to know that orientation has changed somewhat. Anne has expanded the previously 1.5 day program to two full days and the first day now includes the Bridge Game from the Fundamental class, a change that allows distance students to participate. Continue Reading »
Dec
23
2009
As virtual teams become indispensable in business and academia, more attention is being paid to how these teams communicate: what tools they use, how effective they are, what problems they face and how technology can be employed to create an environment that facilitates effective communication regardless of the team size, location, purpose or the length of its existence. Continue Reading »
Aug
19
2009
If you’re returning to school this semester, I’d like to wish you (belated) Welcome Back! My name is Craig Baker and I am the 2009-2010 PMSA president. Some of you may remember me from last year when I was the VP of Marketing.
I’d like to give you a brief idea of what we’re planning for the upcoming year but first Continue Reading »
Stay connected:
Tweet Blender
RT @Bill_George: Good article @VineetNayar in @HarvardBiz: Who'll Catalyze Change: Us or Them? http://ow.ly/2ziZK – What are your thoughts?
12 hours agoGood article @VineetNayar in @HarvardBiz: Who'll Catalyze Change: Us or Them? http://ow.ly/2ziZK – What are your thoughts?
12 hours agoTrust your staff! RT @HarvardBiz Who'll Catalyze Change: Us or Them? http://s.hbr.org/ #in
13 hours agoInteresting read. RT @HarvardBiz Who'll Catalyze Change: Us or Them? http://s.hbr.org/bdL5nf
15 hours ago
