New Lenox 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: New Lenox’s Amy (Brown) Swidergal, who is employed as a Project Manager by ACH Food Companies, based in Oakbrook Terrace. In June, with over 20 years of systems implementations work for various consulting companies, she enrolled in a four-day virtual Project Management Professional (PMP) boot camp operated by EdWel Programs.

In August, buoyed by the knowledge and guidance she gained through the EdWel boot camp, Swidergal passed the PMP exam to attain the coveted certification.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how well I was prepared—how to attack the questions, and tips like reading the end of the question first and knowing how not to get sidetracked by material that is mostly fluff,” said Swidergal. “EdWel knows what they are doing and, as a result, so did I.”

For her part, Swidergal acknowledged having “some trepidation” heading into the PMP exam.

“As it turns out, though, the exam was easier than I expected because of the extensive preparation that EdWel put me through,” she said. “I knew, going through the course, that I was definitely getting my money’s worth. After I passed the exam, I had an even better appreciation for the course’s value.”

For Swidergal, the effort had a short-term incentive (helping her company on various projects) as well as long-term motivation.

“As I move forward in my career, that instant credibility will put me at the top of the heap because I have those three letters after my name.”

Her proactive approach reflects a surging interest among project managers seeking the PMP certification.

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, 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, said EdWel Programs founder Mike Welles. For those who are in a job or career transition, displacement can be discouraging—but can also represent opportunity, he noted.

“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.