Volunteering at the Institute of Project Management (IPM) 

Introduction

Volunteering is a two-way street—what you give in time and effort comes back tenfold in experience and fulfilment. Many view volunteering through the lens of community service, but for me, it presented a good opportunity to expand my project management horizons. As a Construction Project Manager, I find construction projects fascinating, but I am drawn to the broader strategic aspects of the field, such as coordinating diverse stakeholders, developing different frameworks that transcend industries and many more.  

Volunteering at the Institute of Project Management (IPM) proved to be the perfect bridge. IPM is a key player in the project management community, focused on advancing professional standards and education. Through certification programmes, research initiatives, and industry events, IPM brings together professionals from various sectors and promotes best practices in project management. This made it a natural fit for my professional development goals. 

My Role at IPM 

During my time at IPM, I was actively involved in several key initiatives aimed at promoting project management education and community engagement. I worked primarily with the marketing team, with a significant part of my role dedicated to SEO content writing and research. I wrote SEO-optimised articles to boost IPM’s online visibility and conducted research to enhance the effectiveness and impact of the content. 

Another key responsibility was formatting IPM’s blog articles and collaborating closely with the team to ensure each piece was polished and ready for publication. This task gave me the privilege of engaging with material from some of the leading minds in project management.

The Learning Curve 

Like any new role, there were challenges. Balancing multiple tasks simultaneously while racing against tight deadlines felt overwhelming. However, it pushed me to sharpen my prioritisation and time management skills. Beyond these core project management skills, my role propelled me to grow in several key areas. I honed my strategic thinking through content planning and SEO optimisation, strengthened my communication skills through regular collaboration with team members, and the detailed nature of content work sharpened my attention to detail and editorial capabilities.  

One of the standout aspects of my experience was the expert talks, which were a regular feature at IPM. These sessions significantly expanded my knowledge, and the post-talk discussions created an environment of continuous learning and professional growth as I listened to people’s diverse perspectives. 

What truly set my experience apart was the team. IPM offers an environment of psychological safety, which makes it easy to express oneself, ask questions, seek guidance, and truly feel like part of the IPM community. 

Conclusively 

Looking back, my time at IPM has been transformative. Volunteering here exposed me to different project management frameworks and cross-industry best practices, broadening my perspective on current trends and practices. It solidified my decision to focus on strategic project management, making me more confident in charting my career path forward.  

For anyone considering volunteer opportunities that offer meaningful professional growth and the chance to contribute to the field’s body of knowledge, I highly recommend IPM. A perfect balance of practical experience, expert guidance, and professional networking, all within a supportive environment that nurtures both personal and professional growth. My time at IPM has been invaluable, and I am confident it will be transformative for others as well.