In a world filled with opportunities, it’s normal to reach a point where you want to explore something new. As you learn more about your strengths and passions, it’s very likely that you’ll desire to find work that aligns. The Making The Transition Series is here to share real stories of amazing women who have successfully changed careers, with sage advice for navigating the transition.

In today’s Making The Transition segment, we had the privilege of connecting with Rhiana Harris to talk more about her transition to Project Manager. Check out our conversation below!

Tell us about yourself. 

Hi All! My name is Rhiana. I am a Project Manager at Microsoft on our Partner Growth team. Our team is responsible for supporting external partners who post content on Microsoft Start (formerly MSN). Under that team, I am part of communications, and we ensure that our partners are up to date on changes to our platforms that will impact their business revenue, content, etc. I collaborate with engineers, product managers, business development teams, writers, and vendor support teams for alignment on what to communicate. Once we have clarity on the updates, my team determines the medium - email, banner alerts, etc. My position is a mix of project management, risk management, operations, and business strategy. I see my role as a bridge that connects everyone and gets us to the preferred destination through the best route!

Tell us more about your career journey. 

In my freshman year of college, I had no idea what I wanted to do. Since my Mom is a nurse, I thought I would go into the medical field. I was a pre-med major and decided that I wanted to become a dentist - but I did not like science or math! Thankfully, I changed to general studies and took a career exploration class that led me to see my strengths and areas of opportunity. From there, I decided to major in Public Relations with a minor in Marketing with the intent of being in the event industry. After graduation, I applied to work for “big name” PR agencies but could not secure an internship or full-time job. So, I went back to school and secured a Masters in Marketing. After graduation, I received an offer from an organization that planned events for CEOs and entrepreneurs around the world. I had the opportunity to travel - which I loved! This is where I started to gravitate toward project management. I juggled so many events at one time - collaborating with multiple stakeholders and managing vendors - this was my first time even hearing about project management. I researched extensively - including connecting with project managers and decided this profession was in line with my skills and it was time for a pivot. I connected with a career coach who updated my resume, bio, and LinkedIn. From there, I began applying for positions and a couple of months later, I secured an offer from the AJC as a Brand Marketing Project Manager!

What would you say were the most challenging aspects of your career transition?

The most challenging aspect of transitioning from a Marketing Event Manager to a Project Manager was calling out the skills that aligned with Project Management. I had been in marketing and events for four years and my resume highlighted my marketing skills, so it was challenging to pull out what was relevant to being a PM. Thankfully, event management was not far from where I needed to be but it was a mindset change. Another challenge was speaking to those skills. I had to learn how to interview using the STAR method which was my first time being introduced to this technique. Lastly, it was a challenge to branch out of the event space since that was my background.

What was the single most helpful asset during your transition?

The most helpful asset that was valuable during my transition was LinkedIn. Your feed is what you make it. I began to follow and connect with anyone that was a Project or Program Manager. It was there that I learned about certifications, groups to follow, tips and tools, platforms to learn, you name it!

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

I would have diversified my focus. Project/program management incorporates planning, collaborating, managing, budgeting, etc. But, what about mitigating risks? How about strategizing? Public speaking? A lot of what I learned was a broad overview of the skills that I mentioned but diving deeper into those skills would have been beneficial. As you grow in your career, you will have the “basics” down, and leveling up your skills will be key. Begin this early! Try to shadow someone whose position you’re interested in - Do they present to leadership often? Do they create strategy decks? Do they handle the budget for your project? Start to chart your learning/career path and identify transferable skills.

What advice can you give someone who’s looking to change careers?

If you are looking to change careers, talk to people who are in the career that you are interested in first. Ask them about their challenges, advice about the skills needed in their position, and growth opportunities. I would recommend at least 2-3 informational interviews. Start with people in your company and then branch out. This will also help to build your network and point you in the right direction on research/learning opportunities. After connecting with professionals in the industry and narrowing down your learning options, update your resume/LinkedIn or invest in a career coach. Making an investment in a career coach is worth it. It makes the transition less daunting. When I was in my first position as a Project Manager with the AJC, I realized I wanted to take my career to another level once again. I was so excited about getting my first position with a “PM” title that I didn’t stop and inventory my likes, dislikes, must-haves, no-gos, etc. My friend introduced me to Candyss to discuss the PMP certification (this is when the pandemic hit) and a year later, she had ramped up her business. While working with Candyss, I was clear on my next. A few months later, I received an offer from Microsoft! Be God’s grace and Candyss’ gifting - I had successfully made another pivot. 

As we know, people will give you advice based on their experiences. You will hear a lot of paths to one place and it can be overwhelming. Gather your notes and chart your path based on the advice given and your own.  Keep applying. Keep networking. Keep asking questions. Keep going. 

Anything else you’d like to share?

I am currently making another career transition (another industry but possibly the same profession) and I am doing the same thing that I did three years ago. Remember - you might change again, or, you might not. Nothing is set in stone. It is okay to go another route. Career paths are not linear. Be open to opportunities. As you continue to grow, your interests will too.

Thanks for tuning into the Making The Transition Series! Be sure to check out the our other interview segments for a glimpse into other roles you may be interested in pursuing.