Serving Those Who Have Served

NCPMI appreciates and values active duty military, veterans, and their families.  Providing an opportunity to continue enjoying camaraderie and esprit de corps, NCPMI enjoys a robust and friendly community of veterans!

The chapter has two complimentary programs for veterans.  First, the Veterans Networking Group (VNG) is a broad group with veterans that are members working in a very wide range of industries.  Secondly, Operation: Qualify for Hire (OQFH) is a program designed for veterans transitioning into the project management field and it helps them 1) discern if a career in project management is right for them 2) obtain the training necessary to succeed 3) obtain certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and, 4) obtain employment in a project management role.  Participation in one of these groups does NOT preclude participation in the other. 

Many of NCPMI’s veterans join the OQFH program and transition into participating members of the VNG when they’ve gained professional employment as project managers.   To learn more, select one of the buttons below.
I hope you enjoy learning about NCPMI’s support offerings to transitioning U.S. military veterans!    Dozens of fellow NCPMI members make these programs possible and they are owed all the credit for these veteran services. 
                                                                                                           
Sincerely,
Robert Michaud
Military Liaison, NCPMI

 Operation: Qualify for Hire
Veterans Networking Group

Veterans Networking Group

 

The NCPMI Veterans Networking Group (VNG) was formed by veterans, for veterans, to fill a void in networking opportunities for veterans undergoing the very unique career transition to a civilian employment and lifestyle.  Acclimating to civilian life is known to be a difficult transition for many veterans.  Therefore, the VNG’s mission is to:

  • Provide a friendly environment where transitioning military veterans can gather to share experiences.
  • Serve the military veteran community of NCPMI by promoting the exchange of project management techniques as practiced inmilitary services, defense contractors, supporting governmental bodies, and other industries.
  • Provide a collaborative environment for military veterans who are either active members or aspiring members of the NCPMI Chapter.  The functions of the group are to assist each other in job search, professional development, and PM certification through leveraging the collective knowledge, skills and abilities of the group.

The VNG meets for 30 minutes prior to each chapter meeting to share knowledge of PM job openings, interviewing tips, and to network with fellow veterans that may be positioned within a company to provide a hiring reference.   The meeting is informal and the attire is business casual. 

 

Members of the Veterans Networking Group discuss job placement issues prior to a 2018 NCPMIChapter meeting.

Benefits of VNG participation:

  • Connections to other veterans working as project managers. 
  • Gain insights into the certification process.   
  • Access to NCPMI’s unique Veterans Networking Group members who are working at various levels in most industries represented in the Triangle area. All veteran members are strongly encouraged to tap into this enormous wealth of experience and contacts. 
  • Opportunities to gather feedback, suggestions, and guidance from veteran project management professionals.
  • Explore the website and come join us for our events and/or subscribe to our emails.
  • Opportunities to hone leadership skills leading and managing civilians as an NCPMI Chapter volunteer.  

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure.” -Colin Powell

VNG Leadership
Chuck F.        Co-Chair, Veterans Networking Group, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Brandon L.     Co-Chair, Veterans Networking Group, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Member Registration

Back to NCPMI Veterans Page

Operation: Qualify For Hire Program
“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks" - James Allen

Introduction

PMI and many of its United States-based chapters are getting involved in presenting service members and veterans with the many opportunities that project management has to offer.  Engaging military personnel in project management is mutually beneficial to the service member and his or her employer.  Project management is an excellent post-service career that is a great fit with many of the skills and disciplines learned in the service.

Operation: Qualify For Hire

The goal of this free program is to facilitate the successful transition of military service members and veterans into a meaningful and successful project management career.The program has 4 key pillars to accomplish its goals:

 

Two NCPMI veterans who have successfully transitioned
volunteer as panel members discussing their transition experience from the military into civilian life and employment at the November, 2018 Veterans Career Transition Day sponsored by Cisco, Inc.

1. Join

Candidates join PMI and their local chapter to engage with this community and take advantage of the benefits offered through membership.
PMI membership - If the service member or veteran who has GI Bill benefits has decided to apply for certification and desires to be a PMI member, membership (for one year) may be bundled with the certification for a single fee that is eligible for reimbursement under the GI Bill. In this case, BOTH applications need to be submitted to PMI and the individual should follow the reimbursement process provided by their OQFH mentor.

 

A few NCPMI veterans have received scholarships awarded by vendors to prepare for the PMP certification exam.

2. Qualify

Preparation courses or study groups for PMI certifications are offered by the chapters and are an important element in supporting the certification process.  OQFH mentors are available to provide guidance throughout the application and certification process.

 

NCPMI veterans who have successfully transitioned volunteer to represent the Chapter at a February, 2019 NC4ME Hiring Event sponsored by MetLife.

3. Certify

All of PMI’s certifications are approved for reimbursement under the GI Bill. These certifications are globally recognized and in demand by employers. Gaining a PMI certification further supports transitioning individuals in finding careers outside of the service that leverage their experience and expertise.

With a PMI certification, practitioners can work in virtually any industry, anywhere in the world and with any project management methodology. For the full listing of certifications view this page: (this link: https://www.pmi.org/certifications/types )

Please visit this link to review the application process. https://www.pmi.org/certifications/process)

4. Place

Veterans can request a mentor by contacting the Asst. Military Liaison at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Mentors provide military service members and their families with advice and support to get the most out of their membership, qualify for certification, apply for and prepare for their certification exam(s), and secure employment. PMI and many of its local chapters, offers candidates access to jobs via their job boards or the global PMI Project Management Job Board. PMI’s Job Boardoffers support such as résumé writing and critiquing, career coaching, and interviewing skills.

Benefits of the OQFH Program:

  • Guest Pass Program -- NCPMI will provide a Guest Pass to any veteran exploring a career in project management that wishes to attend an NCPMI Chapter meeting to learn more about the profession and the Chapter.
  • PMI Membership for 1 year.
  • Pairing with a NCPMI PMP Mentor to help navigate through the training, PMP testing and employment search phases for transitioning veterans.  
  • Participation in the NCPMI Veterans Networking Group

Benefits of PMI membership:

Benefits of NCPMI membership:

Other Transition Support Options Available to Veterans:

To request more information or request admission to the OQFH program, contact the Asst. Military Liaison at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Helpful Information for OQFH Participants:
Veterans Tool Kit
VA Reimbursement Process Brochure
Mentoring Guide
Onward to Opportunity (O2O) - Ft. Bragg
Onward to Opportunity (O2O) - Camp LeJeune

Robert Michaud           Military Liaison                       This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Julie Fischer                Asst. Military Liaison              This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sonny Thompson        Military Outreach                    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Back to NCPMI Veterans Page