Getting into project management without experience is doable

Getting into project management without direct experience feels like such a Catch-22 sometimes. Every job posting is like, 'We need 3-5 years of experience,' but how do you get the experience if no one hires you? But honestly, so many PMs I’ve met started out with zero experience—they just got creative with how they showed their skills. Certifications like CAPM or Scrum Master can help too, and tools like Jira or Asana are super easy to learn with free resources online. Another option? Entry-level roles like project coordinator or program assistant are solid stepping stones. And volunteering for a nonprofit or working with small freelance teams is a great way to get hands-on experience.

If you’re already working, you could ask to shadow a PM or take the lead on a smaller project. It’s really about persistence and being open to learning. I've even seen people completely turn from random careers into project management just by owning their strengths.