How an Advocate Became PMP® Certified | Pooja Trivedi Success Story

I'm truly honored actually, and I'm here today sharing this journey. You are asking me to share all of these things. So the PMP certification is, is something special, but then something very different in my world. So when we are thinking to take up this milestone, I got connected with my mentor and he introduced actually me this PMP. And then of course the next question is, okay, from where to do? Because the PMP has been offered by many organizations. And probably you might be knowing, but then I'm here in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. So certainly, like, there are many organizations who are offering these courses and then trainings and everything. But I think for me, it was very one-shot. My mentor probably had done PMP with Sekhar Sir and under his guidance. So actually, he mentioned to me that even if you are in Ahmedabad, it doesn't make any difference. Probably wanted to reach out to Info Career team and Sekhar sir and see that how comfortable you are doing PMP along with them, even if you are in Ahmedabad or in Gujarat or anywhere in the world for that matter. So that's how the conversation has been initiated and we just had a discussion. Right after that, probably I reach out to Info Career team and then I just take a bit of information and the mind was very clear that yes, it has to be done. That's how we just get it started. And I think, yeah, and I think the first step out of this journey, my goal was like very much clear. I wanted to make sure that I clear out my PMP certification in the best possible manner. Though I don't come entirely from either IT or construction or something like that, I come from a financial segment, but then After completing PMP, I think I can reflect back on the words which I hear first from either my mentor or from Sekhar Sir, that PMP has nothing to do with the segment. It is all about the mindset. And yeah, so after completing this entire course, this entire journey, getting the certification in hand, probably I will be the first advocate in echoing this statement that PMP has nothing to do with the industry or the segment. It has all to do with the, you know, like getting the work done in a very structured way and the thinking that is very organized. And then the confidence buildup which leads up to the complex— like we can do all the complex project or we can do our existing work in the best possible manner. So yeah, I think that's how it has been started. Yes, so, uh, my total years of experience is 16, uh, by this time. I have been associated with, uh, great firms. Like I started my career with S&P Global, which again belongs to the financial segments. And then I am currently working with Sikich. So in Sikich, I am here as a manager. I'm acting as a manager and leading up my roles. I do take care of my team and my projects. So we do have a team sitting in US and then all across the world. But then, yeah, that's how my career advanced. Not exactly. So as I said, like, I, I take up the name of PMP from my mentor who is like in Sikich. And he actually did PMP and he's performing as a senior director in Sikhej at current point of time. So we were just getting a call in our mentorship routine, you know, at a workplace we have mentorship things going on. So we just one fine day had our weekly check-in and we were talking that how to be very much structured and then whatever we are doing right now, it's like more or less day-to-day, the exact work, which is like PMP shows that what is the correct way or what is a better way of doing it. And within this discussion, he just come to me and say that, do you want to try PMP? And I'm like, yeah, I can think of it. So I haven't actually, uh, did much of research. I, I just go on his word. He was so confident on InfoCareer. So honestly, I have not taken up any different approach. I just, uh, give a call at InfoCareer and then the things has been started for me. Uh, yes, certainly. I— so what I admire the most is the very specified module-wise information, you know, like to see PMBOK at one glance, you will feel overwhelmed versus when we go on the ICAI portal specifically, we have the things in a very structured and organized way, like the module-wise information. And that actually helped me specifically just to, you know, finish out one module. Take up the test and then pick up the new module. And even like, uh, we had sessions actually, 35 hours program, right? So that was all has been carried out. And then after, I have started going back on IC-LIFT and, you know, doing the things in a very organized manner. And I think we have an Excel file which was introduced on day 1 to us, like, wherein we just need to fill in the data that, okay, this is done, uh, Are we on target? Are we behind the target? So I think that even scheduler helped me a lot. I have diligently followed that and that actually helped me to, you know, complete down my course in a good, good way. And then actually I have taken up a recap entirely on InfoCareer ICLEAF. So what I have done is module-wise I have gone back and I have read down and I have listened down the recordings again., and then I go to the taking of the test. I think that actually gives me the confidence because if I would not have gone through the recording and taken up the test directly, I don't think it will be that great which I had a score right now. So I believe the approach which I have taken, like first going with the recording and then going with the test, worked best for me. And then I really feel that When I was about to take up my examinations, I have completed all the tests, I have given the file to InfoCareer, and I asked that, okay, what I should do ahead? And they just mentioned to me, they gave me a call. So, you know, this booster, it's not only that, okay, you have completed your 35 hours training, now you are on your own. That's something is not happening with InfoCareer. I mean, the team has been really very proactive. Giving me a call. I unfortunately missed few of the calls since I was in office, but then I need to call back and say that, hey, you approached to me, but I'm sorry. And they are like very kind enough saying that, no, no, we just want to check on you. Are you okay with your preparations? What's going on? And that's how they just mentioned to me that, okay, now I can take up probably, uh, the different two segments of people and process. And that's how I have just taken that up. Right after that, they have asked me to take up a light mock test. So I think that, that's very different for me because that's a— so honestly, I believe the things are very much, uh, better and good at this point of time. Yes, yes, certainly. Yes, certainly. So, uh, and that's what I was mentioning, that, uh, the feedback, you know, and getting that feedback in a timely manner is very important. I know during this journey, that was, uh, 15-20 days where I was like pushed down And then I was not up to my schedule, which I should be. And then every time I was aware that, okay, if I'm not getting it done, probably someone from InfoCareer will give me a call and say that, hey, what's happening with you? So sitting miles away, even that's happening is helpful. And even like when we were— I was taking that 35 hours of training, right? So I believe first and second session was directly with Sekhar Sir, which is like incredible. I don't think that no one can touch him because the experience which he carries and the way he explained out the things is just phenomenal. And along with him, I believe the rest of the trainers who have imparted us the trainings, like, they are coming with the real-life connections along with the bookish knowledge. So I believe, like, when someone comes in and, you know, read out the PPT, is probably a bit less impactful, wherein InfoCareer trainers, I have seen, like, they are coming up with the additional examples and they make it as a real-life connection, which actually helps anyone to, you know, grab the things in the head very quickly. So certainly, uh, I always appreciate the trainers, the training which they have imparted, and also they make sure that they take a pause and then they ask back that, hey, did you understand?, or if there is any questions. I have already taken all of that Saturday extra sessions. I think it is called as Reimagine, uh, series or something like that. I don't remember the name of the series and the stuff, but I think that is also very, very helpful because that is exactly taking up the questions. And you know, like we were having a call of 2 hours every Saturday, even after completing 35 hours trainings and all of it. So in that 2 hours, we just take a brief of like 15 minutes kind of recap on the topic, and then the questions has been taken up. So when we are addressing that questions, it is like giving a boost of confidence that, okay, I know something about it. And even if I don't know something about it, I know what is my lack area, and I can go back and refer it again. So certainly, uh, that's an incredible help. Uh, so I have taken up the Titaniums, and again, with all the, you know, the guidance of taking up Titanium because, uh, so like for an example, for a student like me or for a person who is taking up the exam or learning all the things, for me every Titanium package is like same, like Exam 1, Mock 1, Mock 2, Mock 3, everything is same probably, right? So we don't know how does it work, but when I reach out to Info Career team, they clearly mentioned to me and say, email me that, okay, take Mock 1. So when I take Mock 1, I, I just fill in that, okay, my time is good, my questions I can understand, I can see that approach how to address the question, and those things are done. And then I believe if I would be not having the great mentoring in place, I would probably take Mock 2 directly. So rather than taking Mock 2, I go back to Info Career team and say, Lakshmi Sekhar Grandhi, and say that, hey, this is done, what is next? I know it is like multiple call I have given to them and they are like kind enough to respond back on everything. But then he mentioned to me that now take 5, right? So he didn't ask me to take Mock 2, Mock 3, or do whatever you wanted to do. He literally guided me in a way that, okay, now take Mock 5. And he mentioned to me that even if your scores are getting down, you don't need to feel demotivated about it. You just stick to it and understand. So when I have taken Mock 5 after that, it gives me a different pattern of questions. And we see multi-choice questions there. And then, you know, you have choose 3 out of 6 or whatever kind of things. So that gives a different kind of experience. So when I see all of those same kind of patterns and the questions in my real exam, the first best thing happened to me was I was not panic. I was probably expecting. It is not like a new cake in a world which says that, oh, I don't know what's happening with me. So that has really helped me. So if anyone is doing PMP with InfoCareer, I would strongly recommend to go with the mocks, because if we clear the mocks in InfoCareer, I would be more than pretty sure that we are very— we are in very good position to crack the real one. So the mock tests are incredible for sure. I think so. When I take my exams, uh, I, I spoke to Sekhar Sir on last 3 continuous— 3 or 4 continuous days. And as I said, like, I have taken up the Titanium first and then I took the Elite. Elite is the correct word? Yeah, Elite one. Yeah, so we have Gold Pack, right? Like mock 1, 2, and 3. And then I took that all three as well. And I know that, uh, Sekhar Sir mentioned to me that you may see a match the following kind of thing and such kind of things, but I think if the fundamentals are clear, at least we, we know how to crack that. So that's the one thing. And honestly, I was like a bit of dull and down with the mathematics things. I, I don't know how many times I have gone through the video of EVM and the CPM. And the board kind of stuff. So even Saket Sir mentioned to me that it's a 1 or 2 question, but then your fundamental concepts has to be very clear. If you know that even if it is like behind schedule or ahead schedule, how to crack it, you're in a good zone. You really don't need to typically do the mathematical sums over there, and that's not gonna take your time at all. So I think it, it's like a bit small tips, but for me it is like a big thing. And I remember I have also conducted— I have also taken up one session which was actually led by Sekhar Sir. He gave us a 2-hour session on tips and tricks, and he exactly mentioned that, okay, this is the way you should approach the question, this is the way you should analyze the answers, this is the pattern. And for me, I think I'm probably very blessed, it exactly worked out for me. So just thankful. But certainly, if I wanted to put something on the first is my own confidence. And that, that makes a huge difference. I mean, I am, I'm not a fresher. I am not a, you know, kind of a person who has less experience. I come with experience of 15 years. But even after 15 years, when we have the certification in hand, it is not only a certification which says that, okay, we know, we have cracked it, but then it also shows that we know the approaches to take it in a daily life. And, uh, to the person like me and my career, these things are very important because I am, uh, leading the teams, I am dealing with the clients, I am dealing with the US counterparts, and, uh, these all things are like very much, uh, in my day-to-day things. So yeah, as I said, the list is many, but I think the first and foremost things which happens to me is it extremely build up my confidence on my own capabilities and my thought process. They are like very much happy, they are appreciative, and they have been well informed. Yes, I think I would definitely always, always, always request InfoCareer to, you know, keep up this leverage of mentorship available along with providing the trainings and the coachings. And I will tell you the reason for this. So I know even like many people who are like either my friends or my colleagues, they have been part of PMP somewhere, somehow in different places. And when we were talking internally, the only difference section which I always highlight is, you know, the consistency of mentoring from InfoCareer to the folks like us. Because obviously when you imparted 35 hours of training, 40 hours of training, then somewhere, somehow it is entirely a responsibility of a person who is taking up the PMP. But with InfoCareer, I have seen this really different. Probably they are the, you know, more forcing factor, and which is like really helpful. So even if we are dropping the ball somewhere here or there, like we know that, okay, the force is there and they will call and say that, hey, what's happening? Even if they are not calling, I think all after sessions, like every Saturday, Sunday, one or the other trainings or, you know, recaps which InfoCareer is providing. I, I think this is, uh, this is something, uh, I see rare and less in the market. I don't know much, but then this is something I, I know it is like not always happening. So this is certainly, uh, USP of InfoCareer, I believe. And I think I would be highly, highly appreciative of the call with Sekhar sir, because I know last 2 days what level of nervousness I was carrying on and what level of, you know, discomfort or tension was there in my head. And I just messaged InfoCareer team and I messaged him as well, and I said that, sir, please let me know whenever I can talk. I know he's a person having 1,000 things in the hand, but still, if he's reverting back and saying that, okay, we are getting on call tomorrow at 11, that is something, uh, very grateful and very incredible thing which has happened to me. So I believe as far as InfoCareer is continuing doing all of these things with the— for the folks like us, uh, it's just we are very appreciative towards this thing. Yeah. And then as I mentioned, like, I, I really don't have much of the things which I I would probably ask InfoCareer to change. Rest, I believe you all are wonderful. Thank you. More than 10 for sure. Certainly, I think, Chin, for the people who will be taking up the PMP, and it's a win-win situation for InfoCareer as well. So it goes without saying, I would love to always recommend this team, and thank you.