04: Becoming a Project Manager with Andrea Franks

In this episode, I interview my friend Andrea Franks, who has spent her career working in medical equipment and pharmaceuticals.  She is a Project Management Professional (a certification from the Project Management Institute), so - in addition to talking about her career more generally -  I interviewed Andrea because I know some of you are curious about how to become a project manager.

What we talk about…..

• Andrea’s 30 year career at Pfizer, Hospira, and Abbott, and how she weathered multiple company mergers and role changes
• At age 24, Andrea was assigned her very first direct report - someone who was super experienced.  We discuss how she handled this and how that experience shaped her skills as a leader.
• How Andrea navigated maternity leave and some roadblocks she encountered
• Andrea shares her advice on how to become a project manager.  She also recommends multiple resources, especially those at PMI.org
• How Andrea defines project management - and how it applies to all areas of our lives.
• How being a woman in a STEM field was challenging, and how she stepped into her own power and confidence

About Andrea

Andrea Franks is the Global Development Services Lead at Pfizer CentreOne. She is a certified project manager responsible for shepherding the production of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies through Contract Manufacturing Services at Pfizer. Andrea earned her BE in chemical engineering from the University of Iowa, and her MS in materials science from Northwestern University.

You can find Andrea on LinkedIn

Free resources!

Yep, free. Julie’s created a couple of free tools to help as you navigate your own leading role. Click the links below.

Quiz: Is it time to make a career change?

Feedback Scripts for Team Leaders - Five scripts that will help you deliver feedback that is supportive, motivating, AND will improve the performance and productivity of your team members.

Julie’s Links:

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Julie’s LinkedIn

Feedback or questions? I’d love to hear from you!

Email: julie@julieartiscoaching.com