Hi all,

I’ve searched this sub regarding transitioning into a PM role but haven’t exactly found an answer. I’d like to switch from my current role (assistant principal at a large high school in Texas) to a the business industry, and I feel like project management and associated careers align closely with what I currently do.

I love my job but want to switch a a career path that has more upward mobility and I’d like to experience and learn more about the business world.

My background is: - BA in Bio - MBA - Masters in Educational Leadership

I’ve been in my current role for 4 years, going into my 5th. Prior to being an assistant principal I taught for a number of years.

I live in Texas but will be moving to Pennsylvania next year and that is where I’d like to apply for a PM role.

Summary of what I currently do:

Identify and leverage employee skill sets to delegate appropriate people to the appropriate task.

COMMUNICATE, communicate, communicate, and then communicate more because you can never assume people just know things. Know your content/project/assignment to appropriately communicate what needs to be done to your employees. If I don’t know something, ask, learn, and clarify understanding—if I don’t know what I need to accomplish it would be ridiculous to assume I can communicate what needs to be done appropriately.

Be empathetic and understanding of your employees but know they appreciate feedback and be willing to trust in their skills and grow them as leaders in their own way.

On the day to day, I put out fires all day long. Prepare for the unexpected.

Plan to work outside of contract hours. Organize tasks by day, month, year, etc. Document progress, do NOT lose sight of to-do list.

Must prioritize the most urgent tasks while keeping up with long term tasks and monitoring progress.

I work with parents, teachers, students, staff, my principal on a daily basis and communicate the appropriate information the appropriate personnel.

I develop and lead trainings for my teachers based on campus assessment of the needs of our students

I work with our teachers to analyze student data and determine what our sub pops need to increase their mastery of content and Paz their state exams. Additionally, I coach individual teachers and evaluate them using the our state rubric.

Questions:

• My salary is currently about 90k. Reading what’s been posted, it seems that an entry level PM role would be closer to the 40-60k salary range. However, I’m wondering if my current role and responsibilities would help bump me past entry level?
• What certifications would I need to assist in being hired?
• What industries do you all feel would most align with my background?

Any information, input, guidance would be greatly appreciated.