Is being a Project Manager worth the pivot? đź’­


Hello Reader,

Every week, I hear from people who say:

“I want to become a project manager, but I don’t know where to start.”

And I get it.
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The first thing you see when you search online is a bunch of articles telling you to get certified. Most of them suggest the PMP—which costs $405 to $555 just to take the exam. That doesn’t include prep courses, which can easily push your total cost to $1,000-$3000 or more.

Here’s what no one tells you:
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You don’t need a certification to get your foot in the door.
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I didn’t have one when I started.
​
But I still made the pivot—and it changed everything.

I not only landed better-paying roles…I also got invited to write for the Institute of Project Management, got featured in a number of publications, and even started booking speaking engagements.
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That one decision opened up more opportunities than I could’ve imagined—and it all started with positioning what I was already doing.

I created the Project Manager’s Toolkit for you (or someone you know) who is curious about being a PM but don’t want to waste months (or thousands of dollars) trying to figure it out.
​

Inside the Toolkit, you’ll get:

✅ A breakdown of real PM roles + salary ranges (Glassdoor reports $70K–$119K/year)
âś… Where to find solid jobs without a PMP
âś… A resume + keyword cheat sheet to help you get past the filters
âś… A step-by-step career roadmap to keep you focused and moving
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It’s just $7.
And it’s the same strategy I wish someone had handed me when I was figuring all this out.
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You don’t need a certification to prove you’re capable. You just need a clear path—and a little push.This is both.

—Donna Franklin West
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P.S. Got a friend or teammate who’s clearly got PM skills but no formal title? Pass this along—they deserve the tools to take the next step.

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The Virtual PM

Get the latest in Project Management with The Virtual PM newsletter: expert tips, tech trends, leadership insights, and tools like checklists, assessments, templates. 👉🏽 www.thevirtualpm.org 👉🏽 www.thevirtualpm.digital

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