Breaking into tech or leveling up within it can feel impossible without the right guidance, community, and credentials. That’s exactly the gap Building Our Tech (BOT) was built to close. Today, we’re sitting down with Naziah Riaz, a graduate of our Project Management program, to talk about her journey from entrepreneurship to a brand-new career powered by a PMP certification and the skills to back it up.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a career change is realistic, this interview is for you.
About Naziah
Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and your career.
“After graduating with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, I chose entrepreneurship over a traditional corporate path to rely on my own drive. Through this, I gained diverse experience across multiple fields, including tax preparation, real estate, marketing, healthcare, and e-commerce. Running my own businesses taught me to view operations through a strategic lens. Eventually, I decided to transition into the corporate world and identified project, program, and product management as the areas most compatible with my background. Since then, I have contributed to agile teams, participated in tech projects, and focused on mastering the intersection of these three disciplines.”
Before joining our program, what did your career look like?
“Before joining, my career was focused entirely on entrepreneurship. I maintained a strong relationship with Mike Felix throughout college, and he ultimately introduced me to the organization. Seeing the incredible opportunities and the unique intersection of the members helped me realize that corporate and entrepreneurial paths aren’t so different. This gave me the confidence I needed to make a career pivot.”
What was your job title and role when you first discovered BOT?
“When I first discovered BOT back in 2019, I was transitioning into e-commerce. I was seeing a lot of discussions around the industry and explored training opportunities, specifically looking for programs targeted toward women in entrepreneurship.”
What prompted you to pursue a career in project management, and what made you seek out our program specifically?
“In 2022, I landed in product management as an analyst. I had some fragmented experience with technology and software programs, but I wanted to gain the end-to-end experience of seeing a project through from start to finish, which can take years in product management. Project management felt like the perfect bootcamp where I could leverage my technical background, product management knowledge, and leadership experience to keep initiatives on track and gain the high-level vision enterprises really value.”
Were there any barriers keeping you out of the tech field entirely? If so, what were they?
“The main barrier was a lack of direct experience. When I decided to break into tech in January 2022, it took me about a year because I didn’t know which direction to take. Colleagues and members of the organization ultimately helped me pivot and figure out how to align and frame my entrepreneurial experience with tech roles and titles.”
Did you have any doubts or fears about breaking into tech before you started? If so, what were they?
“I experienced severe imposter syndrome and feared breaking into tech. It felt like I was forcing my resume to fit a mold. It took time to properly position myself and find a role that would strategically challenge me while giving me space to adjust to tech culture and terminology.”
BOT Programs Experience
What programs or workshops did you participate in with BOT?
“Unlock the Secrets of Data Science with Natesha Mortimer
Agile Leadership: Master Building High-Performing Global Teams with Amirica Nicholson
Python Cohort
Thriving In Tech: Success Strategies For Non-Technical Roles with Lorianne Woldehanna”
Which specific resources, mentors, or curriculum components had the biggest impact on your growth?
“The workshops definitely had the biggest impact. The topics had a great range yet were perfectly tailored to where I was in my career journey. Whenever I was navigating the job market, there always seemed to be a relevant workshop available to support me—whether it was resume writing, learning how to leverage AI, or deciphering whether to pursue a technical or non-technical path.”
How did the program prepare you differently from other courses or resources you’d tried before?
“Other networking events and workshops I tried felt very generic, lacked a targeted audience, and didn’t facilitate meaningful connections, causing people to fall through the cracks. In contrast, Building Our Tech has dedicated programs that feel genuinely invested in the specific audience it serves.”
Earning the PMP Certification
What did earning your PMP certification mean to you personally and professionally?
“Earning my PMP completely accelerated my career trajectory. Having experienced unemployment for the second time in 3 and a half years, I wanted to take control of my future. I knew this knowledge was highly valuable to the industry. Passing my exam on July 7 was incredibly meaningful, especially since I found out the exam would change on July 9, which is my birthday. It felt like the perfect moment to root for my own career progression.”
How did the BOT programs support you through the certification process: studying, exam prep, cost, accountability, etc.?
“I first learned about the PMP certification through members of the organization who are established in the project management space. Knowing that BOT is dedicated to supporting its community—similar to how they support others through AWS and other tracks—I reached out to see if they could assist me while I was unemployed. The level of support I received speaks for itself.”
What was the hardest part of the certification journey, and how did you push through it?
“Coming from a product management background, which is very technical and specific, the hardest part was training myself to think at a higher, enterprise-wide level. Stepping back to view programs and organizations through a broader lens was challenging, but it provided invaluable insight into the material and helped me identify the exact market roles I wanted to pursue.”
Career & Financial Impact
Did you see a financial change after earning your certification? If comfortable sharing, what percentage would you say your salary increased by?
“Yes, I secured a 12-month contract role that provided a 100% salary increase, aligning perfectly with where I wanted to head with a great organization.”
Did the certification lead directly to a promotion, a new job offer, or a raise? Tell us that story.
“When you struggle through unemployment, it is easy to wonder when your story will change. By deciding to take the PMP exam, regaining control of the narrative of my career, and leveraging the support from Building Our Tech, I secured a contract and an offer within 3 weeks. I officially started with my new company on August 10.”
How long after completing the program did you see a tangible career shift?
“The shift was immediate. I passed my exam on July 7, applied for additional roles around July 14, and received offers on July 23 and July 28. When you pair hard work with the right tools, like a certification, and build relationships within your industry, opportunities follow quickly.”
Did any new opportunities open up for you that weren’t accessible before?
“The opportunities are out there, but the certification allows you to be seen in a different light, especially in a competitive market. It differentiates you and demonstrates that you are evolving alongside industry trends.”
Leadership & Visibility
Have you taken on any leadership responsibilities since earning your PMP that you hadn’t held before?
“I’m currently leading workflow automation projects under our vendor management processes.”
How has your confidence in leading teams or managing projects changed?
“I have always been confident in leading and problem-solving, but I now have a much more structured approach to the projects I take on. I can easily assess where things stand—whether in the beginning, middle, or end—and confidently guide their progression.”
Career & Economic Impact
How has this economic and career shift impacted your family or community?
“This career shift has had a profound impact. As someone who is engaged, being financially stable is incredibly important as I prepare to take the next step in my personal life.”
What would you say to someone standing where you were before you joined the program?
“I could write a whole book on this. The market changes dramatically and rapidly due to AI, remote work, and shifting certification requirements. My advice is twofold: First, connect with a community of people who are actively doing what you want to do. Online information can become outdated fast. Second, treat your professional network as a pipeline. Even when employed, you should always be building your personal brand and nurturing relationships.”
Looking ahead, what’s the next milestone you’re working toward?
“I am focused on building additional work streams to support my personal brand. I am also working toward getting certified in Jira, a popular project management software I enjoy using and that is currently gaining significant traction in the tech industry.”
In Naziah’s Own Words
In one sentence, how would you describe what this program made possible for you?
“Support is vital, and organizations like Building Our Tech have the genuine heart and passion needed to empower people in their careers, offering a community that I will always hold close to my heart.”
Ready to Write Your Own Success Story?
Naziah’s journey from entrepreneur to a certified PMP is proof that with the right training, mentorship, and support, a career in tech project management is within reach, no matter where you’re starting from.
Learn more about current BOT programs and make your mark.