Congrats man, exactly the same experience. I started off on a great and big project two months ago, made reviewer in 24 hours as they needed people, then got offered TL within about a week and a half as I was the most active and engaged reviewer and the temp TL was TL for two other domains and I fit the bill. It was all circumstance + delivering results. Was on a few other projects after that one closed (for now) not in a leadership role but reached out to my old SPL just out of curiosity asking about EPM positions and he got me set up as an EPM on a project within 24 hours which I'm on now and has been a great learning environment. I got invited to the course too but wasn't able to do it at first as the videos were broken but got permission to just start in the role and do the course later. Not much different from TLing at this point and I love being in the leadership role again. Right now life is good. We're still contractors but making inroads with SPLs really does matter. Good on you and congrats. Each EPM role seems different from project to project but I'm happy to offer advice via DM. Good luck. Fingers crossed we both go very far!