“Senior Project Manager”

BY MADDIE MARKS

He works as a senior project manager in an environment where he is not always appreciated for his skills and knowledge. Without a college degree, he is sometimes questioned about how he landed the job, but he focuses on producing quality work. 

I work as a senior project manager. I spend three days a week in the office, from 7 AM to 5 PM, and the other two days working from home at my desk. I have to lead teams and make sure big projects get done on time, stay within budget, and meet all the goals. I also plan out strategies, manage risks, and make sure everything we do matches the company’s overall mission. I don’t have a college degree, but I worked hard to get this job. I dropped out during my first year of college. Some people say things like, “How did you even get that job?” or “You’re not as smart as people with degrees.”
But people will always doubt you. One day at work, I had an interaction with a new employee who hasn’t been here as long as I have. She told me that I don’t know how to do my job and that everything was wrong. As a senior project manager, I stayed calm and professional, focusing on getting the project done.
I worked really hard to prove myself, and now I’ve moved up in the company and have the title “senior.” I don’t have a master’s or a bachelor’s degree, but I make a good amount of money, which doesn’t happen for many people. Having a degree doesn’t always mean you’ll be the best. I’ve learned that if you work hard and show your company that you’re worth it, you can go far. What really matters is how much you know, how hard you work, and how you use your skills to make a difference.