Get Hired Into A Highly Paid Leadership Position In Which You Will Take Meaningful Ideas And Turn Them Into Transformative Products
Introducing the Project Management Career Library By Cheeky Scientist
Project Management Career Library
Take Action To Become A Diamond Member And Get Hired As Project Manager!
Here’s What You Get Immediate Access To When You Become A Cheeky Scientist Association Diamond Member…
“The Project Management Career Library describes the high-level ideas of project management using examples from academic projects to make them accessible to all PhDs, even those who have only experienced academia. It defines the industry lingo that project managers (PMs) use in their day-to-day interactions with their teams. It also shows why projects fail and how failure may be avoided. Although not all projects end in success, you as a PM can be successful regardless of the outcome by demonstrating your collaborative nature, influence on others, and drive to execute a project to completion. Overall, the program provides knowledge that will make PhDs competitive in project management interviews and roles while demonstrating how PM experience will benefit them in future roles even if it's outside of project management.”
“The Project Management Career Library is very well written and provides great examples that will help you connect the dots. I really liked how the program explains the unknown unknowns in the Risk Management section, this is something every aspiring PM needs to be prepared for. I also enjoyed the exercises after each chapter. I think the biggest take-home message for all PMs is that they have to build trust with the team and get the job done and the tools provided in the Project Management Career Library will help you achieve that.”
Reverse-Engineer Your Ideal Project Management Position with a Validating and Targeted Mentoring Program
The Project Management Career Library Is Designed for PhDs Who Want To…
- Transition into a dynamic and innovative position as a project manager.
- Use your leadership experience to define, plan, and develop cutting-edge products and services.
- Understand how your natural ability to communicate can guide teams to success.
- Closely interact with managers and decision-makers, and help them fulfill their vision for their companies.
- Secure a position where you’re sought by recruiters offering high salaries.
- Learn an interdisciplinary approach that will allow you to apply the planning and organizational experience you gained during your PhD to project management in different industries.
- Get familiar with the terminology and tools commonly used by project managers so you can impress future employers.
- Build solid relationships and frequently interact with others.
- Understand the life cycle of a project, how to conduct change and risk management, and what you can expect on a typical day.
The Demand For Project Managers Is High, And You Do Not Need Business Experience Or An MBA to Get Hired. You Just Need Your PhD…
Your knowledge—or lack thereof—will play a key role in your Project Management job search.
You may have a PhD, and you may understand that breaking into the field doesn’t begin with resumes.
But you need to increase your business acumen and showcase specific abilities to convince employers you can lead successful projects.
Even though demand for this position is high, you’ll need to master certain concepts to edge out your competitors and land your first industry position.
Average Salary Of A Project Manager In Industry Worldwide
The Demand For Project Managers Is Increasing, And These Positions Pay Rewarding Salaries…
- Project Management positions are expected to grow by 33%, accounting for 22 million new positions over the next decade. (PMI)
- Project managers are needed in industries like pharma, agriculture, consulting, aerospace, engineering, utility, and IT. (Quickbase)
- The average salary for a project manager is over $80k. (Indeed)
Bonuses for project managers can reach $20k (Payscale)
Average Salary Of A Project Manager In the United States
“The Project Management Career Library will help PhDs understand what the Project Management career path actually entails. It covers important topics that will translate your academic background into a PM career path in industry. You will learn that “project manager” is a leadership position and how to delegate tasks and empower your team. I spend a lot of my time as a PM looking for ways to prevent and solve problems, I wouldn't have time to do that if I couldn't delegate to my team. The Project Management Career Library content goes into detail about the importance of pushing back and standing up for yourself, which is something PhDs tend to struggle with. The program also presents standardized processes for change such as Integrated Change Control or Change Management Plan, which will help aspiring PMs support their position when they have to "push back." The Project Management Career Library content also talks about how PMs should hold meetings. So that there are clearly communicated meeting goals. Meetings should end with action items as to what should be addressed prior to the next meeting. Holding meetings, which PMs do A LOT, in this format not only makes meetings much more organized and enjoyable but also much more productive.”
“The Project Management Career Library will help PhDs understand the PM role in industry, the most important PM tools and methodologies, what the essential transferable experience is, and how to develop a successful career as a PM. The program leader is an experienced PM and communicates her knowledge very clearly. The program material is of high quality and easy to use. Many formats are available so that each member can choose their favorite format and learn at their own pace. The Facebook community is made of experienced and aspiring PMs. People share their experiences and knowledge far and beyond any expectations. Everyone helps each other to move forward.”
If You’re A PhD Looking To Transition To Industry, Do You Answer YES To These Questions?…
- Do you want to interact with decision makers and help decide which ideas move on to become tangible products or processes?
- Do you want to join an exclusive group of professionals who enjoy high salaries backed by job security?
- Do you want a different experience than your role in the lab but still want to manage a team and lead them towards success?
- Do you want to use your academic background to support innovation in different industries?
- Do you want to take on the responsibility of managing high-budget, high-stakes projects, and play a significant role in whether or not they succeed?
- Do you want to have a high level of autonomy on the job and be able to work with different areas of a company?
Project Managers Form An Exclusive Group
Project managers earn fantastic pay, interact with company leaders, and supervise multidisciplinary teams. These are privileges that they’ve earned.
This group speaks their own language. They understand the goals and priorities of their companies and lead their teams to complete relevant projects while managing risk and constant change.
Project managers turn ideas into products by fulfilling a specific role, working with different departments in the company, and meeting multiple responsibilities. If you want to increase your chances of becoming a project manager, you can’t apply for this position blindly.
You need detailed information on your future position. During an interview, you can’t afford to show you don’t know what a project charter is. You can’t risk revealing that you don’t know how to prepare an SOW or how it affects a project’s life cycle.
To avoid blunders like these, you’ll want to know what a typical day looks like for a project manager.
Once You’re A Project Manager, You’ll Experience A Stunning Amount Of Responsibility, Opportunities, And Professional Respect
As A Project Manager, You Will Have Influence Over the Most Important Decisions of Your Company And Serve As A Role Model For Your Team
When it comes to how you envision using your PhD education, you probably have several key qualities you’re looking for in a job: opportunities, responsibility, personal autonomy…
Those are some of the reasons to be attracted to a project management position, but here’s something that’s just as important…these opportunities aren’t confined to working with different departments of a company.
Becoming a project manager can also provide an incredible amount of financial opportunities. If you’re currently conducting postdoc work, this can seem too good to be true…
After all, you’re used to earning a salary far beneath your education.
The median household income is $61,937. (U.S. Census Bureau)
But even though you have a PhD, you probably earn well below that figure.
The national average for postdoc positions is $48.759. (Glassdoor)
But when you become a project manager, you will be among the most valuable employees at your company, and you’ll have financial opportunities you’ve never known before.
The average salary of a project manager is $73,745 (Payscale) Indeed reports an even higher average for all project managers: 83,454. And those are just averages––the project manager position varies widely among industries.
For those in the IT industry, the average is $87,907, and for those in pharma, it’s $91,432.
Once you become a project manager, you’ll have the opportunity to branch into other roles such as business development manager, business analyst, and management consulting among others.
3 Important Reasons To Join The Association's Diamond Program
1. You Want To Play An Active Role In Converting Promising Ideas Into Life-Changing Products And Processes.
As a project manager, you can be at the forefront of innovation in different industries. Your company will also expect you to be an expert in your field, which means you’ll enjoy maintaining a close watch on the latest events, scientific literature, and business news.
2. You Want To Personally See The Difference That The Projects You Lead Can Make
When you’ve spent years in the lab, you may feel that there’s a disconnect between the work you do and the lives your work is supposed to change. As a project manager, your career will have a direct impact on society, and you’ll have the opportunity to change people’s lives from different industries and developing different projects.
3. You Want Personal Autonomy, Opportunity, And The Chance To Lead.
More than likely, your current doctoral or postdoc environment feels confining, restrictive, and limiting. But as a project manager, you can interact with different areas of a company, be a leader and motivate your team members, and help define how your projects advance. Transitioning to a project manager position is perfect if you love to motivate people, lead, and chart your own success.
The Project Management Career Library Can Pay For Itself In 3 Days Or Less Once You’re Hired
A Project Manager Position Has You Earning Over $1,500 A Week And Over $200 A Day…
If joining the Association’s Diamond Program puts you in the field even one week faster, the investment will have been well worth it.
After that one payment, you have access to all Cheeky Scientist’s materials, and if you secure your position, you can share your insights with other PhDs like you.
The Project Management Career Library Includes An Ongoing Board Validation To Ensure You Are Always Validated As An Experienced Project Manager
You will receive an official letter of recommendation from our Project Management Career Library board upon completion of the course along with lifetime access to our annual validation program.
The Project Management Career Library was created and is maintained by a board of project managers.
As such, each module includes a board-validated exam, and once you pass all exams, you will receive validation from our board.
The Project Management Career Library Mission
In the Project Management Career Library, we’re committed to supporting you on your journey to landing a top project manager position by providing you with advanced, actionable strategies for success.
To do just that, we’ve provided extensive mentoring from current project managers working in industry, leading-edge project manager resume templates, and guidance by an intimate group of practicing project managers and other PhDs aspiring to the role.
We understand why you want to break into this industry.
You enjoy building relationships.
You want to lead ideas to become tangible products.
You desire to impact companies, work with decision makers, and be a respected leader in your field yourself.
But here’s the reality…
Just because this field is growing doesn’t mean it isn’t competitive.
Frankly, you’re going to need more than a cursory knowledge of this position to make the best impression with your future employer.
It’s our goal to help you do just that.
The information we’re providing—from informational videos to resumes—is laser-targeted for the project manager position, and it’s exclusively for PhDs.
There are nuances to the project manager role that you will find nowhere else.
The Project Management Career Library was built by practicing project managers who know exactly what the nuances to the role are and can provide tools and advice on how best to secure the position.
As a project manager, your employer wants to know that you can motivate your team, predict and manage risk, adapt to change, and communicate effectively with different areas of the company.
You don’t need to pay thousands of dollars to receive an understanding of what your employer is looking for.
In the Project Management Career Library, we provide extensive mentoring and personalized support. Our materials are specifically designed to help you showcase both your natural talents and your PhD expertise so you attract the attention of leading companies.
As A PhD, You Can Transition Into A Project Manager Role
You earned your PhD with knowledge and hard work.
Achieving a project manager position is no different.
You have the work ethic to make this happen.
You simply need targeted knowledge that’s laser focused on the project manager position.
We’re here to decrease your learning curve.
And our goal is the same as yours—securing that project manager job.
We’ve done it.
We’ve helped other PhDs do it.
And you can do it too.
We’re inviting you to join the Association’s Diamond Program.
Now is the time to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
The Project Management Career Library Is A Private Group Of Practicing Project Managers And PhDs Like You
Our exclusive group is private and provides a number of project manager mentors, ensuring we can provide personalized guidance.
The mentoring is hyper-focused and the private group support prepares you for the unknowns of interviewing for a project manager position.
In the private group, top project managers currently working in industry are committed to providing a high level of service within this intimate community.
This means you’ll enjoy a high ratio of mentors to members in this program.
You’ll appreciate how the Project Management Career Library is designed to provide personalized guidance and swift feedback.
Imagine Walking Into Your First Project Manager Interview, But You Don’t Know…
- What SOW stands for, what the purpose of an SOW is, and how SOWs impact the flow of a project. This causes you to panic when you hear how often the term is used by the hiring manager during your interview.
- The main phases that projects go through and why each of them is relevant, causing you to make statements that reveal you have little knowledge of project design.
- What questions would demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the role you’re applying for, which means other—more prepared—candidates impress the company and edge you out of the job.
- The terms and vocabulary used during the on-site visit, which makes it difficult to translate your academic background into effective communication that shows you’d easily transition into industry.
- Information about your day-to-day responsibilities, how you are expected to interact with people in different areas of the company, and how to handle administrative tasks, which causes you to ask questions during the interview that reveal you have only the most basic information on what your role will entail and what you’ll be expected to accomplish.
- How to give presentations and position yourself in a way that shows you can speak the higher language of managers.
The Project Management Career Library Guarantees You Will Get Hired Into A Project Manager Role No Matter Your PhD Background…
…the Project Management Career Library can translate your field of study into an industry position that puts you on the front lines of leading projects that result in products and processes across different industries.
Those in the Project Management Career Library have secured positions at…
Your PhD has given you the academic experience that’s critical for securing these jobs.
But the Project Management Career Library can help you prove that fact to employers.
We’ll give you information that’s uniquely relevant to the project manager position – not product management, research and development, or any other field.
The result is intensive, concentrated mentoring that reveals how to integrate your academic background, your transferable abilities, and your knowledge of the project manager position into behaviors that will help you land a position.
When You Join The Association’s Diamond Program, You’re Joining A Program Designed Around Capabilities That Helped Other PhDs Land Their Project Manager Jobs
The Project Management Career Library was built on tried-and-true principles that other current project managers used to land their positions.
It’s a program that is also run by project managers who’ve landed industry positions and know what you’ll need to leverage to improve your chances of being hired.
On top of that, the knowledge you’ll gain in the Project Management Career Library were those that other PhDs just like you used to land their first project manager position to carry projects from the ideation phase to successful completion.
Now that these project managers have used their experience to successfully transition into industry, they can look back on what helped them secure their project manager job.
The Private Group Provides Targeted Support
Joining the Association’s Diamond Program lets you tap into targeted support from the project managers who oversee the program and former students who’ve now landed project manager positions.
In the privacy of the online group, you’ll be able to ask questions about your resume, gain insights into interview experiences from transitioned project managers, and interact with like-minded PhDs. That means you can engage in conversations on questions, topics, and challenges relevant to the Project Management position.
This group is also exclusive. Only Cheeky Scientist members can see and respond to the messages in the private group.
The exclusivity of the group allows you to freely share ideas with fellow PhDs, request referrals from other project managers, and get the advice you need when you encounter challenges.
You’ll get immediate access to a top global project manager network exclusively for PhDs once you join…
Here’s The Targeted Mentoring You’ll Receive From The Project Management Career Library...
Module #1: Project Management Foundations
You know you want to be a project manager, but you aren’t completely sure of all the responsibilities and expectations that come with the role. This module covers…
- What a project manager is expected to accomplish and what an average day can look like. You’ll get the inside details of what it takes to keep a project going while making sure everybody is on the same page.
- What a project manager is and isn’t—this module explains how project managers are different from product managers and how project managers are key employees who guarantee the success of varied projects and motivate the members of their teams to give their best, even under difficult circumstances.
- The abilities that separate outstanding project managers from average project managers. This module will show you how to use your transferable knowledge to be a team leader, communicate with management, and coordinate all those involved to make sure the project is finished on budget, on time, and with good quality.
- What defines a successful project. This module will present the most important aspects you should consider to prevent your project from failing. It also explains what it takes to protect your project and how to find your voice to ensure that your points of view are considered.
Module #2: Managing Projects In Industry
What are the phases of a project, and why they are important. What are the most relevant methodologies used by industry project managers and which are better for a specific project. This module covers…
- A point-by-point description of the lifecycle of a project. This module delineates the phases of a project, presents the documents that you need to complete before moving on to the next phase, and presents good practices you should follow to ensure your project remains on the right track.
- How project managers stay ahead of the intrinsic risks and changes of a project. This module defines risk and change management, presents the most common types of risks that a project can face, and shows you how to stay ahead of them.
- Relevant Project Management tools and how to use them. Managing a project can be a massive task and you will need specialized tools and software to stay organized and keep track of your team’s tasks. This module presents the most relevant tools used by modern project managers.
Module #3: Reverse-Engineer Your Ideal Project Management Role
Increase your chances of landing a project manager position by learning how to relate your academic experience with your dream position. This module covers…
- How to leverage your scientific background to assert your qualifications for the project manager role as well as why the number of positions you’re qualified for may be broader than you think.
- How to identify a company culture that aligns with your values. This module explains how the role of a project manager varies depending on the size, structure, and hierarchy of a company and what you should bear in mind when selecting the right company for you.
- The most relevant abilities of a project manager. This module presents the most sought-after professional experience for project managers and how to leverage them during the hiring process.
- How to target your job search strategy to land a project manager position. This module examines the main things you should consider when crafting your resume and LinkedIn profile for a project manager position, how to network and generate referrals, and how to ace a Project Management interview.
Module #4: How To Succeed As A New Project Manager In Industry
Now that you have secured a position as a project manager, what are the next steps you should take to continue growing professionally and personally? This module covers…
- What to do during the first 90 days on the job. This module explores how you should behave during the first few months to guarantee that you create meaningful relationships, are respected by your team, and yield long term results.
- Why projects fail and how to guarantee the best possible outcome. This module assesses why projects fail and what steps you should take to increase your chances of success and to remain a valuable project manager even in the face of failure.
- How to progress in your project manager career. The project manager position offers many opportunities for career growth. This module examines which vertical moves are more common for project managers and what climbing the vertical ladder looks like for this position.
- What your future may hold as a project manager. Understand the different career paths you can take once you have project management experience. This module will help you understand the potential horizontal moves you can make and how they relate to your project management and PhD experience.
As Soon As You Join The Association’s Diamond Program, You Will Also Get Immediate Access To The Following…
A complete guide that provides practical information regarding the project manager role and responsibilities, important industry topics, company culture, and more. This will allow you to enter the job search knowing exactly what you’re looking for as well as the expectations of your future employer.
- The Project Management Career Library will describe what you’ll experience in a typical week, from interactions with team members and decision-makers to how to nail your presentation and file documentation. Instead of entering your interview wondering what you don’t know, you’ll be prepared to ask important questions so you can determine if you’d accept a job offer from the company.
- Discover what kind of position would best suit your academic background and personal interests, and get important information on how to gauge a company’s Project Management culture. Insider tips will help you make savvy decisions as you vie for a Project Management opening.
- Understand the make-or-break abilities of project managers so you know how to effectively position yourself. Discover how to translate your natural ability to communicate into a presentation that makes the best impression on corporate management.
Detailed information on industry-specific projects and documentation, so you know how to talk to professionals in pharma, IT, biotech, and others. You’ll understand the challenges that are at the heart of every project. With the Project Management Career Library, you’ll gain knowledge that shows a potential employer that you’ve done your homework and you’re prepared for a successful transition into industry.
- Understand how project managers are different from product managers, how to interact with different areas of the company, how project managers are expected to behave, and what you need to know about managing global projects and dealing with people from different cultures.
- Gain important insight on the phases of a project, your expected role in each phase, and the steps it takes to bring a project from ideation to completion. You’ll fully understand your role in moving a project forward and keeping it on track.
- Discover how to translate your knowledge of the project manager position into questions that will impress your future company. The mentoring provides important advice to help you showcase your knowledge and passion for the industry.
Access to the private online group, an exclusive circle of project managers and fellow PhDs where you can communicate about critical topics, request referrals, and ask for the input of other project managers. Only Cheeky Scientist members are allowed access to this group.
- Gain guidance from project managers on your upcoming interview, your newly created resume, or your recent job offer. They’re in the field and can provide advice that’s targeted for your specific needs and questions.
- Enjoy meaningful conversations with other PhDs in the group to discuss the latest development in your job search, your current challenges, and more. Learn from PhDs who’ve made the transition and ask for referrals.
- Leverage the private group to find other project managers or PhDs you can connect with. Find members by their name, location, educational background, or other characteristics to aid your job search.
Comprehensive mentoring that takes you from understanding the project manager position to securing your first job. After laying a thorough foundation for your position, the course will cover everything from networking to giving a presentation to company leaders so you’re prepared for the hiring process.
- Over the course of four modules, you’ll enjoy information-packed workbooks, numerous videos from a project manager, and exams to help you cement the concepts covered. Your mentoring is a crash course on what you need to know to improve your chances of securing a position.
- Discover effective techniques for successfully pinpointing the best companies, targeting your LinkedIn profile for Project Management positions, conducting informational interviews, and more. The Project Management Career Library will show you how to tailor your job search for a Project Management job offer.
- Discover the career options available to project managers. With the mentoring, you’ll be able to look ahead into the future opportunities your new position may create.
What you need to know about communication as a project manager, no matter your level of extraversion. The Project Management Career Library will underscore the communication techniques that will make a positive impression on your future company and will uniquely qualify you for the role.
- Gain critical insights into the experience needed to successfully transition from your postdoc work to a life as a project manager. The course will show you how to showcase the abilities that will get you hired.
- Discover what hiring managers are looking for during interviews. With the mentoring, you’ll get important tips for how to conduct yourself so you distinguish yourself from other candidates.
You’ll have access to extensive resources that help you learn in a variety of ways about the project manager role.
- The Project Management Career Library provides instant access to extensive video content from a project management professional. You’ll also gain workbooks, video transcripts, and project manager resume templates.
- The end of each module provides an exam to solidify the concepts you’ve learned during mentoring. The Project Management Career Library will also provide monthly webinars on important topics relevant to your project manager job search.
As A PhD, You Can Transition Into A Project Manager Role
You earned your PhD with knowledge and hard work.
Achieving a project manager position is no different.
You have the work ethic to make this happen.
You simply need targeted knowledge that’s laser focused on the project manager position.
We’re here to decrease your learning curve.
And our goal is the same as yours—securing that project manager job.
We’ve done it.
We’ve helped other PhDs do it.
And you can do it too.
We’re inviting you to join the Association’s Diamond Program.
Now is the time to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
The Project Management Career Library Is NOT For You If...
You Don’t Feel Comfortable In Leadership Positions
You prefer to follow the lead of others. You can be very productive as long as you’re told what to do and when to do it.
You don’t mind conducting planned experiments, but you simply wouldn’t know how to set the pace and motivate a team the way that project managers need to do every day.
If you are hardworking, but can’t imagine yourself attributing functions and inspiring others to give their best every day, then the Project Management Career Library is not for you.
The Project Management Career Library is for PhDs who lead by example and act as a positive influence for others. It’s not strictly about hard work, but rather knowing how to motivate your team members to give their best.
It’s NOT For Those Who Don’t Like To Work With Other People
More than likely, you went to school with this person.
This person did not like social events and was more than happy to spend the majority of each day at the bench with his or her recent experiment as a company.
As a project manager, you need to be a people person and interact with different professionals, making sure that your message comes across. Being able to communicate with different people is the key to success as a project manager.
If you love scientific breakthroughs but dislike the idea of meeting new people, socializing with important personalities, or strategizing with a team, then the Project Management Career Library isn’t for you.
The Project Management Career Library is designed for PhDs who can make the most of social interactions and can communicate with others to transform ideas into products.
It’s NOT for Those Who Are Risk-Averse
This person likes to do predictable work. They like to start their day knowing exactly what is going to happen and what their job will encompass.
Project managers need to constantly adapt to risk or change – they need to foresee what can go wrong with a project and act upon it before it even happens.
If you love to know what a day at your work will look like, and can’t handle processes that change unexpectedly, then the Project Management Career Libary is not for you.
The Project Management Career Library is designed for people who can combine a good amount of planning with the ability to adapt to the unknown to keep the project advancing through risk and change.
Get Access to the Project Management Career Library & Network
If you’re determined to be a project manager, and you’ve chosen the Project Management Career Library to make that happen, we’d like to welcome you.
As practicing project managers who oversee the Project Management Career Library at Cheeky Scientist, we know firsthand the challenges you face, the questions you have, and the information you’ll need to succeed.
We’re ready to empower you to make the transition, and we hope to meet you in the private group soon.
To your success,
The Project Managers at Cheeky Scientist
Orly Levitan, PhD
Senior Project, Manager at HYIEACARE Inc
Vanessa A. Enriquez, PhD
Clinical Trial Associate at ArcherDX
Karine Pozo, PhD
Project Manager at Cancer Prevention Initiative
Ruth Reitzel, PhD
Senior Specialist, Project Manager at KBR, Inc
Priyasri Shotton, PhD
Consultant at Eli Lily and Company
Jessica S. Ellis, PhD
Clinical Operations Project Manager at Technical Resources International, Inc
Stefanie Hassel, PhD
Research Manager at University of Calgary
We help PhDs from every discipline get into many different types of careers, including Project Management.
We show you how to leverage the skills you already have to get hired into a myriad of industry jobs, including Project Management.
We show you how to get the job, not how to do the job because each company has their own proprietary systems and will teach you how to do the job through on-the-job training.
But, before you can get this training, you have to get hired first.
That’s where we come in.
We will guide you on how to use your PhD to get hired into Project Management.
