Many students and young professionals worry about ending up without a job after their degree, especially when they keep hearing about PMP and other project management certifications everywhere. In this Lounge Access session, Shoaib speaks with a mechanical engineering student who plans to do an MBA in Operations and is unsure whether to invest in project management learning right now or to focus only on getting a job.
Shoaib starts by clearing up a core confusion: operations are not the same as projects. He uses a simple website example to show that creating a new website is a project, while maintaining and updating that website every day is operations, and then explains how a project manager and an operations manager fit into these two different types of work. This helps the viewer see why someone with a mechanical engineering background and MBA in Operations can build a strong career in operations roles in industries that match their domain.
From there, Shoaib shares an honest warning about doing project management certifications too early. If your degree and goal clearly point to operations but your profile is filled with project management credentials, some hiring managers might get confused and think you are not really interested in the operations role they want to fill. His practical suggestion is to focus on getting a job first, work on your domain knowledge, communication and soft skills, and then look at certifications like PMP when you know they will support your current role, a promotion or a planned career move.
Need Personalized Advice? Lounge Access is a 1-on-1 session where Shoaib provides honest, pragmatic advice tailored to your specific goals. No sales, no pressure, just the guidance you need to stay ahead.
Explore the full series: Lounge Access Playlist
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