Student Profile: Andrei Publico, PMP

I am an IT Project Manager with expertise in BPO (Business Process Outsourcing). Fourteen years of employment, combining Operations Management and Project Management in BPO, have earned me sizable experience leading diverse and global projects. These vary from IT enablement, CRM software migration, data center migrations, client ramp projects requiring 1,000+ hires, mobilization of new accounts, facility fit-out, and facility transfers. In my prior assignment as an enterprise PMO Manager, I've been privileged to lead a team of seven project managers. As a volunteer within and outside the workplace, I facilitated multiple training sessions of Project Management Fundamentals courses, and I've trained over 150 learners thus far.

When I was applying for my certification, the official Project Management Professional (PMP)® Handbook (Project Management Institute (PMI)®) helped me jumpstart the exciting journey. It contains essential information including the detailed application process, eligibility requirements, payment, exam policies and procedures, Prometric appointment, instructions for the day of the exam, and expectations at the testing center. The PMP® handbook, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) 6th edition, Exam content outline, and the PMI® Code of Ethics are fantastic prep tools one might consider compulsory in the preparation. These are resource materials available in the PMI website. I highly recommend for every PMP candidate to read and understand these early on.

In the last 2 weeks leading to the exam, it would be wise for a PMP candidate to complete as many mock tests as possible and comprehend the detailed explanation to each test question. I purchased PM Exam Simulator for my mock tests (together with PM PrepCast for my studies) and I found them comprehensive to my liking.

It would also be beneficial to visit the actual Pearson VUE testing site to get acclimated with the environment. Taking the commute to the site and having an early feel of the atmosphere at the testing facility days before writing the test will certainly help calm the nerves and relieve anxiety.

I earned my PMP® certification in July of 2018 after a daunting yet memorable 12-week journey. I wish the candidates a fulfilling and inspiring PMP journey ahead.

Andrei Publico, PMP