I've always wanted to help people and strive to make that a part of almost every job I take. I started my career in project management at a nonprofit and truly enjoyed it. Working with communities and impacting their health, even in small ways, felt fulfilling. Even if they didn't remember me the next day, I felt like I was making a difference.
As I grew in my career, I began taking jobs that distanced me from the "front lines" of meeting and educating people on health topics. Yet, I still wanted to help. Over the last 10 years, I've held multiple roles—programs coordinator, outreach lead, strategy associate, project manager, and most recently, program manager. Despite the changing roles, the urge to help people persisted; only the topic changed.
When I started my career a decade ago as a programs coordinator in a nonprofit, I enjoyed project management without realizing it was my industry. My boss said this role could really jumpstart my career, but I couldn't grasp it then. Now I get it. The project management industry is vast yet intimate. It has grown in popularity since the pandemic, but it's still an industry many don't understand.
During the pandemic, I decided to study for the PMP (Project Management Professional) certification and, to my surprise, passed it on the first try. As someone who isn't a great test taker, I didn't expect to pass initially. I studied hard and crammed for two months, reviewing the study material for much longer. During this process, I joined Facebook groups for project managers. Being the only project manager among my friends, I had no one to talk to about my work. These groups felt like home. They understood me in ways I never thought possible. They faced the same challenges and had the same questions, or people asked questions I could answer. I realized this could be where I started helping people again.
I was active in that group and occasionally returned to give advice. However, I began to lose confidence and wondered, "Who am I to give advice while I'm still learning?" I enjoy project management and am now a program manager—a step above project manager—but I still feel like I'm learning. I often wonder why anyone should listen to me when there's so much I don't know.
Through conversations with friends and coworkers, I realized that not everyone thinks like a project manager, especially if that's not their role. Everyone has unique talents and skills. Thinking like a project manager is a skill, and it's why many who want to jump into project management simply because they were told the pay was good, realize it’s not so easy. Over my 10 years in nonprofit, startup, and big corporations, I've learned that project management is more than just updating statuses or creating project plans.
I started Katherine Boltl Consulting after years of wrestling with the idea. I questioned my ability to give advice, whether anyone would listen, and how people would find me. I'm still unsure of these answers as I write this blog, but I know I need to start somewhere. My perspective and experience are valuable to someone out there, and that's what matters. Scrolling through Facebook groups and Reddit threads, I see a new wave of project managers needing guidance to kickstart their careers or tools to succeed from day one.
When I started project management, I had no idea about project plans and managed my projects through notes. Now, I laugh at the thought, but it was scary then. I wish I had someone in the field to share a template or advice on organizing documentation and leading calls, so I didn't have to stumble through and sometimes embarrass myself.
I have so much more to learn. As a newer program manager, I’m still managing multiple projects, navigating implementations, and keeping everything on track amidst chaos. Part of starting this small business is sharing what I've learned and taking people on the journey of what I have yet to learn. I don't know everything and never will, but I'm excited to take on new challenges. I hope to share my experiences so others can learn with me. Welcome to the journey!