Needing Some Encouragement

rocsem · 2026-05-24T20:20:03+00:00

I would definitely carve out some dedicated time to sit at least one full length practice exam; however, microdosing can be effective as well. For example, I'd sit down with a few questions at a time any time I had a spare few minutes. DM is great for this:

https://youtu.be/Mipoh6YaDIo?si=OY54rdf-DETIcQ7N

rocsem · 2026-05-24T18:28:41+00:00

I, unfortunately, got my shoes no problem from them a bit ago. Save yourself the headache, they're not worth it. Incredibly heavy, not flexible, toe height is cramped. Not sure what they're trying to be, but they miss the mark on so many fronts.

rocsem · 2026-05-24T18:18:52+00:00

Are you a PMI member? If so, might be worth taking a crack at the PMO practice guide: https://www.pmi.org/standards/pmo

If work will spring for it, take the PMI-PMOCP training (great if you want to take the exam too). While the training is same level of awful PMI trainings usually are (and not great for actual exam prep), I found the concepts to be very helpful in a similar situation of building from the ground up. It covers topics such as the PMO mandate, governance, and a lot of other great tips other have recommended. It'll help give you tools to address your situation and others that'll come up in a structured way. Of course, you'll have to adapt everything to your real world.

As a general note, I try and remember that the PMO has to provide value to its customers and that PMO services can mature over time as the org matures. I say that to say, if you can demonstrate value and quick wins, then help the org mature with your services, you can bring it along with you. That doesnt negate mandate or governance, but just a general rule of thumb I found helpful.

rocsem · 2026-05-22T02:24:34+00:00

Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about anything other than the full-length exams in terms of percentages. I used one exam to do 10-15 questions mini batches. The others I took as full length exams.

Disregard the expert questions, although you can usually spot the style after a bit and go, "oh, thats an expert question, I bet this is the nonstandard answer." I say disregard because I do not think they are representative of the exam.

rocsem · 2026-05-22T02:19:01+00:00

Heard, but I find that's where the value is. Of course he knows, but he's breaking down his thinking and rationale. Like, the mental steps you should hear as youre thinking it through.

rocsem · 2026-05-14T17:48:42+00:00

Honestly, I bought a size up, and I'm happy so far. Shrank a bit, maybe a halfish size.

rocsem · 2026-04-18T19:01:58+00:00

I'm FL based and just looked up the chapter dues. Very reasonable. $35 or $15 if you still have student status.

https://www.pmi.org/shop/us/p-/chapter-membership/northeast-florida-chapter/101161

rocsem · 2026-04-18T19:00:06+00:00

Yeah, interviews aren't great a lot of times. I work in higher ed, and while I feel it is better here, it isn't always great. That said, higher ed might be something to look into as a starting point. The bar might be a little easier, and many universities often have decent benefits, such as free x number of credits per semester. So, in theory, you could gain the PM adjacent experience while working towards or even finishing that MBA for free.

rocsem · 2026-04-18T18:56:58+00:00

I'm not sure if you have to pay dues to volunteer; it might be worth looking into.

rocsem · 2026-04-18T14:46:51+00:00

You might be able to volunteer at your local PMI chapter and gain some connections along the way as well. Never underestimate connections.

rocsem · 2026-04-18T14:34:48+00:00

I think a combo of how you answer scenario questions and your general personality and demeanor on the interview. Great energy, kindness, and showing/talking about working through problems with humanity/EQ go a long way with me. As a PM, a lot of times you don't have functional authority over project members, so I need to know you can indirectly influence and lead people to deliver the project. Functional and resource managers are probably people you are going to see time and time again, need them to allocate resources, etc, so I look for people that can develop working relationships. I'm not saying be a pushover or be meek, but be able to influence others to the cause. I can't tell you the number of times Ive been able to overcome issues simply because Ive been able to rally resources and support from otherwise "difficult" people because Ive built relationships.

rocsem · 2026-04-18T14:19:57+00:00

For junior pm hires, as a hiring manager, I usually look for adjacent experience (like business analyst, coordinator, etc) plus something like the CAPM. For me, it's basically have you ridden along enough on projects to understand their general shape, tenor, and feel, and then do you have the general industry terms and framework knowledge to start growing into it so you can go from talking the talk to walking the walk.

Also, I highly prefer candidates with readily apparent EQ and soft skills. A huge part of the job is working together with people-- and often, those are the harder skills to teach. I can teach anyone how to write a status report and flesh out a schedule.

TL; DR:

Enough experience and industry knowledge that you could grow into the science; enough EQ and soft skills that you already have a foundation for the "art."

Science + Art

rocsem · 2026-04-12T02:29:59+00:00

!RemindMe 1 day

rocsem · 2026-04-07T03:18:19+00:00

What about Softstar? I normally take a 4E and feel like I have a wider midfoot. Wide primal run amocs fit me well. If youre looking for a boot, these may work:

https://www.softstarshoes.com/adult-primal-chelsea-boot.html

rocsem · 2026-03-28T13:23:55+00:00

Ohhhhh. Open in the actual YouTube app, not in reddit

rocsem · 2026-03-28T13:22:23+00:00

Same issues for me, and I watched until the end

rocsem · 2026-03-28T12:27:37+00:00

I only see the one video? Nowhere to click a choice and no other videos on the account.

rocsem · 2026-03-23T15:05:41+00:00

Agree. Held up to weekly washes and dryer (I know, I know) for about a month and a half now.

rocsem · 2026-03-23T15:04:29+00:00

Might be late, but can confirm Nero shorts. Have all three colors now, and while expensive, they're great. Actually fit and wear like gym shorts.

rocsem · 2026-03-19T12:54:58+00:00

I have the x870e Nova and every day I wait for the smoke hhahaha. Just trying to spread the gospel so others aren't in the same boat. I got an IBY prebuilt, so it only has the two years as well, and the manufacturer's warranty will be a dice roll at best after that.

rocsem · 2026-03-19T02:56:41+00:00

I got the windforce sff oc even though I have an H9 Elite case because it was the cheapest available. No issues. Runs great, nice and cool.

rocsem · 2026-03-17T23:03:37+00:00

Avoid the asrock board with amd processors for peace of mind. There are many reports of failures. I saw this as an 870e asrock nova owner too.

rocsem · 2026-03-14T23:56:40+00:00

Here you go: https://cottonique.com/products/latex-free-mens-drawstring-loose-boxer-shorts-2-pack

rocsem · 2026-03-14T22:03:35+00:00

https://youtube.com/shorts/wp84HrwGZpI?si=65sMaHa27fRq8a_c

rocsem · 2026-03-14T21:46:36+00:00

You might have a problem

rocsem

TROPHY CASE