What does Roofing, AI and your Career have in Common?One of the best pieces of career advice I received when I first entered the workforce was "the best time to fix your roof is when it is sunny". So what does roofing and AI have to do with one’s career? The essence of this advice is to develop your career skills when you are gainfully employed so if and when a career change is thrust upon you (like an un-forecasted nor’easter storm) you are prepared. In my 30+ years in the Life Science Industry this advice has and continues to serve me well. I have worked in the Pharmaceutical Industry through multiple political administrations, multiple recessions, blockbusters, patent expirations and major industry and company transformations. Those who weather these storms well are those who are well skilled, and treat these uncertain times as opportunities to develop and continue to add value to this life changing industry.So with that said, I ask you, especially our Life Science Project Managers, what are you doing to strengthen your career? And, given the prevalence of AI in all industries what are you doing to proactively strengthen your AI knowledge and skills?As a Learning & Development professional, one recommendation I have is the five PMIxAI eLearnings from PMI. All of which are available free to PMI members (three are even free for non-members). These learnings will help you elevate your Project Management skills with AI. The following is a summary of these eLearnings. However, I enthusiastically encourage you to invest in yourself and your skills by taking the learnings. My favorite is the Talking to AI: Prompt Engineering eLearning. To learn more about them, visit . Happy Learning - and continue to take care of your “roof”, aka career!

Summary of AI eLearnings from PMI:

1. Generative AI Overview for Project Managers
   This 1-hour, 5 module eLearning is “a hands-on learning experience for project professionals that will empower the learner with practical knowledge of AI in project management that you can apply right away to your project management approach.” The course includes helpful resources and downloads as well as practical examples. I highly recommend the downloadable Prompt Engineering guide.
2. Talking to AI: Prompt Engineering for Project Managers
   This 1-hour, 5 module eLearning will help you “maximize your efficiency by utilizing proven prompting formulas and a wealth of project management prompt examples to enhance your interactions with ChatGPT and PMI Infinity. In just 60 minutes, you’ll gain foundational knowledge through video-based learning, an 85-page workbook and access to PMI’s “Prompt Engineering Exchange.”
   I highly recommend module 5, The Voice of the PM. In this module you can “watch 14 use case videos from project managers like you and watch them use prompt formulas to help elevate their work, save time and become more effective.”
3. Data Landscape of GenAI for Project Managers
   This 5-hour, 4 module eLearning “explores risks, common security threats, and how to keep data safe through data governance. Look at characteristics of data including volume, quality and types of data for use with GenAI. Apply the GenAI Data Landscape Canvas for Project Managers - a structured, interactive path to work with data and GenAI to collaborate with specific experts and roles within your organization for improved project outcomes.”
4. Practical Application of Generative AI for Project Managers
   This 5-hour, 8 module eLearning “strategically combines AI tools, understand prompting techniques and implement automation into workflows for improved outcomes. This course includes approximately five hours of hands-on practice.”
5. AI in Infrastructure and Construction Projects
   This 3-hour, 6 module eLearning “explores the fundamentals of AI in construction, from core concepts to real-world applications. Learn how top industry experts use AI for scheduling, RFP optimization, risk identification, lessons learned management and more while increasing success, safety, efficiency, speed and quality.”

While the emphasis of this eLearning is in construction, the AI learnings can be transferred across other industries.