Atlanta professional re-boots her career with PMP boot camp

In 2020, millions of Americans have lost jobs, with no certainty that many of those positions will ever come back on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even for those who have retained jobs, the economic shakeup nationally has moved them to action as they take steps that strengthen their long-term career prospects.

Case in point: school social worker Wynter Bryant of Atlanta. After a decade as a social worker, including six years as a school social worker, Bryant wants to shift into management within the business supply chain field.

In July, she enrolled in a four-day Project Management Professional (PMP) boot camp operated by EdWel Programs. Though the training was virtual—as with so much in day-to-day life during the pandemic—Bryant was impressed with the caliber of EdWel instruction.

“EdWel was with me every step of the way and even allowed me to join some additional exam prep sessions for a refresher before my exam in August,” she noted. “My exam prep instructor, Asad Haque, was responsive, attentive, and knowledgeable throughout my entire preparation process.”

Bryant reported being “elated” with the results of her exam, which has five sections, known as “process groups.” She was "above target" in four of those sections and "on target" in the other one.

“I wasn't expecting to pass my first time, and I surely wasn't expecting to pass `above target.’ I am not a good test taker, and this was an overwhelming amount of information,” Bryant said. “This was all truly an experience to remember and money well spent.”

Also in July, Bryant obtained her MBA from Clayton State University. She had words of encouragement for other seeking to make the most of their time during this time of coronavirus.

“Anybody else who’s dealing with a lot professionally and personally, if you have drive and do your homework, it’s attainable,” she said.

Bryant is no stranger to hard work or having plenty on her personal and professional plate. When she was 16, her mother had a brain aneurysm and stroke. Shortly thereafter, Bryant became emancipated to become her mother’s legal guardian. She continues to oversee her mother’s care in hospice.

“My philosophy is: `If I don’t do it, it’s not going to get done,’” Bryant added. “The supply chain field is all about managing and leading others on projects, and all about getting things done, so this experience of pursuing my PMP was the perfect test.”

Bryant’s experience reflects surging interest among project managers nationally to obtain their PMP certification, said EdWel founder Mike Welles.

Project management is a fast-growing field, a trend detected by a 2017 Anderson Economic Group (AEG) analysis commissioned by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The analysis forecast that employers globally will see a growth of 22 million new jobs in the field over a 10-year span, with nearly 88 million individuals overall in project management-oriented roles by 2027.

For project management professionals, nothing opens the door to an interview and offer faster than certification, according to Welles. For those who are in a job or career transition, displacement can be discouraging—but can also represent opportunity, he advised.

“Keep a positive outlook,” Welles said. “It is easy to feel lost or disjointed with all the tumult caused by COVID-19. Let the labor market adjust and come back to you. Just be ready when it does happen—and having a PMP in your back pocket is one great way to prepare.”

About EdWel Programs

Since 1992, the adult-education and training firm has helped more than 25,000 boot camp graduates work toward PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.

With training sites in nearly 20 U.S. cities, the industry leader’s training program is so effective that some students have attained key certification within a few days of completion of its intensive boot camp course. For more information, visit www.edwel.com.