The Great Resignation in the USA and Big Reveals for
PM Professionals from PMI’s 2021 Survey
Interview with Mike DePrisco
Interim President & CEO and Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Project Management Institute
Pennsylvania, USA
Interviewed by Ipek Sahra Ozguler
International Correspondent, PM World Journal
Istanbul, Turkey
Introduction to the interviewee
Michael (Mike) DePrisco is the Interim President & CEO and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Project Management Institute (PMI). In his role, Mike provides executive leadership to the Global Operations Group, supporting more than 1.3M active certification holders, 680,000 members and 300+ chapters in over 200 countries. He is responsible for the Product Portfolio, Lean Portfolio & Product Integration, Customer Care, and Digital Groups. His team’s focus is on digital product delivery and management, and the successful execution of all major initiatives.
Mike joined PMI in 2013 and has held several roles within the organization, including Vice President, Global Membership & Chapters, and Vice President, Academic and Educational Programs.
Prior to PMI, Mike served in executive positions in higher education. There, he executed university strategic plans to ensure integration and alignment of key initiatives and priorities. He provided executive oversight to campus development and growth, including student acquisition and retention, program development, financial management, and stakeholder relationships.
Mike holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and holds a Certificate in Company Direction (International) from the Institute of Directors. He is active in youth and educational programs in his community.
Interview
Ipek Sahra Ozguler (Ozguler): First of all, thank you for accepting an interview request from PMWJ about “the Great Resignation,” which shows no signs of slowing down. What’s behind this trend?
Mike DePrisco (DePrisco): Thank you for having me. This collective decision of millions of people to leave their jobs in search of new opportunities has been propelled by the pandemic, as workers across the U.S. and the world are reconsidering and reprioritizing how their professional lives fit within their personal lives. There are other considerations, as well, including salary, leadership opportunities, benefits, flexibility, and more, with the trend continuing because these workers see immense value in ensuring their employers’ missions and values align with their own.
Ozguler: Project Management Institute conducted a survey last year to better understand the motivators of job seekers and what they’re looking for in a new position. Please share the details of the survey.
DePrisco: PMI set out to explore this phenomenon in the United States — to probe the motivations of job seekers and to understand what they’re looking for in a new position. What we found has important implications for both employers and job seekers alike. Both, in fact, can “win” in this highly competitive job market if they focus on the real motivating factors behind the Great Resignation — including how employers can retain top talent and how job seekers can differentiate themselves from their competition.
Ozguler: How was the survey conducted?
DePrisco: In October 2021, PMI surveyed 1,000 U.S. office workers and 250 service industry workers who searched for an office job within the prior six months. From there, we analyzed the data to see where the commonalities were and which themes unfolded, revealing the true motivating factors behind this trend.
Ozguler: What are the highlights of the survey?
More…
To read entire interview, click here
How to cite this interview: Ozguler, I.S. (2022). The Great Resignation in the USA and Big Reveals for PM Professionals from PMI’s 2021 Survey: Interview with Mike DePrisco, PMI; PM World Journal, Vol. XI, Issue II, February. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/pmwj114-Feb2022-Ozguler-Interview-with-Mike-DePrisco-PMI.pdf
About the Interviewer
Ipek Sahra Ozguler
Istanbul, Turkey
Ipek Sahra Ozguler graduated from the Istanbul University, Turkey with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering and from Middle East Technical University, Turkey with an MSc degree in Software Management. As a project manager, she has more than 13 years of experience in various areas such as portfolio management, program management, project management, software management, business analysis. She became a certified PMP in 2012 and a certified SCRUM Master in 2014.
She has gained broader insights in a variety of projects across manufacturing, defence, FMCG (Cola Cola), insurance (Euler Hermes), audit (Deloitte), telecommunication, aviation and finance sectors. In addition, she has been working as an international correspondent for the PM World Journal since 2014.
Ipek is the creator and editor of the highly acclaimed book, The Perspective of Women Project Management Professionals, interviews with leading female PM experts and professionals around the world. The book was published in March 2020 and is available here.
Ipek is based in Istanbul,Turkey and can be contacted at ipeksahra@gmail.com. Her portfolio is published at the http://ipeksahra.strikingly.com/ and https://pmworldlibrary.net/authors/ipek-sahra-ozguler/.
