Why Networking Matters for Memphis Project Managers

Memphis isn't just a logistics hub—it's a project management powerhouse. With major employers like FedEx (the world's largest express transportation company), International Paper, AutoZone, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, the city is home to some of the most complex, high-stakes projects in the country.

But here's the reality: the best opportunities rarely get posted on job boards. They're filled through referrals, internal recommendations, and relationships built over months or years of consistent engagement. According to LinkedIn, up to 85% of jobs are filled through networking—and in Memphis's PM community, that number may be even higher.

Networking in Memphis gives you:

•Access to hidden opportunities: Many senior PM roles are filled before they're ever advertised

•Industry insights: Learn what skills are in demand, which companies are hiring, and where the market is heading

•Mentorship and guidance: Connect with experienced PMPs who can accelerate your learning curve

•Credibility and visibility: Become known as a go-to expert in your domain or methodology

•Support during transitions: Whether you're job searching, pursuing certification, or navigating a career pivot, your network can provide resources and encouragement

The question isn't whether to network—it's how to do it strategically, authentically, and effectively.

Strategy 1: Attend PMI Memphis Chapter Meetings (And Show Up Consistently)

The Strategy:

PMI Memphis hosts monthly chapter meetings featuring expert speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. These events are the heartbeat of the local PM community—and they're where relationships are built.

Why It Works:

Consistency is the secret. Showing up once won't move the needle. Showing up every month for six months? That's when people start to recognize you, remember your name, and think of you when opportunities arise. I've seen this pattern repeat itself countless times during my years of leadership with PMI Memphis—the members who show up consistently are the ones who build the strongest networks and advance the fastest.

How to Do It:

1.Mark your calendar: PMI Memphis chapter meetings typically occur on the third Thursday of each month. Block the time now.

2.Arrive early, stay late: The best conversations happen before the formal program starts and after it ends. Don't rush out.

3.Engage with speakers: Ask thoughtful questions during Q&A. Follow up via LinkedIn or email afterward.

4.Introduce yourself to new faces: Make it a goal to meet at least three new people at every event.

5.Follow up: After the event, send a quick LinkedIn message: "Great meeting you at the PMI Memphis event. I'd love to stay connected."

Pro Tip:

Bring business cards (yes, they still matter in Memphis). But more importantly, bring curiosity. Ask people about their projects, their challenges, and what they're learning. People remember those who show genuine interest.

Real-World Example:

A colleague of mine attended her first PMI Memphis chapter meeting as a newly minted PMP. She introduced herself to a senior PM from FedEx, asked about his experience leading global logistics projects, and followed up with a thoughtful LinkedIn message. Six months later, when his team had an opening, he reached out to her first. She's now a Senior Project Manager at FedEx.

Strategy 2: Volunteer for PMI Memphis Committees (Get Insider Access)

The Strategy:

PMI Memphis runs on volunteers. From the Membership Committee to the Professional Development Day planning team, there are dozens of ways to contribute—and every one of them gives you insider access to the chapter's most engaged leaders.

Why It Works:

Volunteering isn't just about giving back (though that's important). It's about positioning yourself at the center of the community. Committee members work closely with board leaders, sponsors, and other high-level professionals. You'll be in the room where decisions are made, relationships are formed, and opportunities are shared.

I can speak from personal experience: my journey from committee volunteer to Vice President to Chapter President opened doors I never imagined. The relationships I built through volunteer work led directly to career opportunities, consulting engagements, and lifelong friendships.

How to Do It:

1.Identify your interests: Do you love event planning? Join the PDD committee. Passionate about mentorship? The Membership Committee might be your fit.

2.Start small: You don't need to commit 10 hours a week. Even 2-3 hours a month can make an impact.

3.Be reliable: Show up to meetings, meet deadlines, and deliver on your commitments. Reliability builds trust—and trust opens doors.

4.Build relationships: Use committee work as a low-pressure way to get to know other volunteers. These are often the most connected people in the chapter.

Pro Tip:

Volunteering also gives you real-world project management experience you can add to your resume. Leading a PDD planning committee? That's stakeholder management, budget oversight, and event execution—all valuable PM skills.

Real-World Example:

A project coordinator at St. Jude volunteered to help plan PMI Memphis's Professional Development Day. Through that work, she connected with a VP of Operations at AutoZone who was impressed by her organizational skills and attention to detail. When a PM role opened on his team, she was his first call.

Strategy 3: Leverage LinkedIn Strategically (Memphis PM Community Online)

The Strategy:

LinkedIn is the digital extension of Memphis's PM community. But most people use it passively—scrolling, liking, and occasionally commenting. Strategic networkers use it to build visibility, share expertise, and create opportunities.

Why It Works:

Memphis's PM community is active on LinkedIn. PMI Memphis posts event updates, thought leadership content, and job opportunities. Local PMs share insights, celebrate certifications, and engage in discussions. By showing up consistently and adding value, you become known—even to people you've never met in person.

How to Do It:

1.Optimize your profile: Use a professional headshot, write a compelling headline (e.g., "PMP | Project Manager at FedEx | Passionate About Agile Transformation"), and include Memphis in your location.

2.Follow PMI Memphis: Engage with their posts—like, comment, and share. This puts you on the radar of chapter leaders and other active members.

3.Connect strategically: After meeting someone at a chapter event, send a personalized connection request within 24 hours. Reference where you met and what you discussed.

4.Share valuable content: Post about your PMP journey, lessons learned from recent projects, or insights from PMI Memphis events. You don't need to post daily—once a week is enough.

5.Engage with others' content: Comment thoughtfully on posts from Memphis PMs. Add insights, ask questions, and build conversations.

Pro Tip:

Use LinkedIn's search filters to find other PMPs in Memphis. Look for people at companies you admire, send connection requests with personalized notes, and start building relationships before you need them.

Real-World Example:

A project manager at International Paper started posting weekly "lessons learned" from his projects. His posts gained traction in the Memphis PM community, and he was eventually invited to speak at a PMI Memphis chapter meeting. That speaking engagement led to consulting opportunities and a promotion within his company.

Strategy 4: Join Cross-Industry Events (Expand Beyond PM)

The Strategy:

While PMI Memphis is your home base, don't limit yourself to PM-only events. Memphis has a thriving business community with events hosted by the Memphis Business Journal, Greater Memphis Chamber, and industry-specific associations. Attending these events expands your network beyond project management and positions you as a well-rounded business professional.

Why It Works:

Project managers don't just work with other PMs—they work with executives, engineers, marketers, finance leaders, and operations teams. Building relationships across industries and functions makes you more valuable, more visible, and more likely to hear about opportunities outside the traditional PM pipeline.

During my time at AutoZone, some of my most valuable connections came from cross-industry events where I met leaders facing similar digital transformation challenges in completely different sectors.

How to Do It:

1.Identify relevant events: Look for Memphis Business Journal's "40 Under 40," Chamber of Commerce mixers, or industry-specific conferences (healthcare, logistics, manufacturing).

2.Bring your PM lens: When you meet someone from a different field, ask about their biggest challenges. Often, they're project-related—and you can offer insights.

3.Position yourself as a connector: If you meet someone who could benefit from PMI Memphis resources, make the introduction. Being a connector builds social capital.

4.Follow up: After cross-industry events, follow up with new connections. Offer to grab coffee, share an article, or introduce them to someone in your network.

Pro Tip:

Don't lead with "I'm a project manager." Lead with the problems you solve: "I help organizations deliver complex initiatives on time and on budget" or "I specialize in Agile transformations for healthcare companies."

Real-World Example:

A PM from Methodist Le Bonheur attended a Memphis Business Journal healthcare leadership event. She met a COO from a regional hospital system who was struggling with a major EHR implementation. She offered insights from her own experience, and three months later, he hired her as a consultant for the project.

Strategy 5: Create Value Before Asking (Mentorship, Knowledge Sharing, Introductions)

The Strategy:

The most effective networkers don't ask "What can you do for me?" They ask "How can I help you?" By creating value first—through mentorship, knowledge sharing, or introductions—you build goodwill, trust, and reciprocity.

Why It Works:

People remember those who help them. When you offer value without expecting anything in return, you build genuine relationships—not transactional ones. And when the time comes that you need help (a job referral, a recommendation, advice), your network will be eager to return the favor.

Throughout my years with PMI Memphis, I've made it a priority to mentor aspiring PMs, share lessons learned, and connect people who can help each other. That investment has come back to me tenfold—not because I expected it, but because that's how strong communities work.

How to Do It:

1.Mentor aspiring PMs: If you're a PMP, offer to mentor someone studying for the exam. Share your study plan, recommend resources, or meet for coffee to answer questions.

2.Share knowledge: Write a LinkedIn post about a lesson you learned, speak at a PMI Memphis event, or lead a workshop on a topic you know well.

3.Make introductions: If you know two people who could benefit from knowing each other, introduce them. "Hey Sarah, meet John—he's a PM at FedEx working on supply chain optimization. John, Sarah is leading a similar initiative at AutoZone. I thought you two should connect."

4.Offer feedback: If someone asks for resume feedback, LinkedIn profile advice, or input on a project, say yes. It takes 15 minutes and builds lasting goodwill.

Pro Tip:

The best time to build your network is when you don't need it. Start creating value today, and when you need support (job search, career transition, certification prep), your network will be ready to help.

Real-World Example:

A senior PM at FedEx made it a habit to mentor new PMPs in the Memphis community. Over three years, he mentored a dozen professionals—many of whom went on to leadership roles at major companies. When he decided to start his own PM consulting firm, those former mentees became his first clients and biggest advocates.

Bonus Strategy: Attend PMI Memphis's Professional Development Day (PDD)

The Strategy:

PMI Memphis's annual Professional Development Day (PDD) is the premier PM event in the Mid-South. With keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and hundreds of attendees, it's a networking goldmine.

Why It Works:

PDD brings together the entire Memphis PM community—from entry-level coordinators to C-suite executives—in one place. It's the single best opportunity of the year to meet new people, reconnect with existing contacts, and immerse yourself in the latest PM trends and best practices.

As someone who has been involved in planning and leading PDD for years, I can tell you: this event is where careers are launched, partnerships are formed, and the future of Memphis's PM community is shaped.

How to Do It:

1.Register early: PDD typically sells out. Mark your calendar and register as soon as tickets go live.

2.Plan your day: Review the agenda in advance. Identify sessions you want to attend and speakers you want to meet.

3.Network intentionally: Don't just attend sessions and leave. Arrive early, sit next to new people, and introduce yourself during breaks.

4.Follow up: After PDD, send LinkedIn messages to everyone you met. Reference specific conversations to jog their memory.

Pro Tip:

If you're looking for a job or exploring new opportunities, PDD is the place to have those conversations. Many Memphis companies use PDD as a recruiting event—and hiring managers are actively looking for talent.

Your Next Steps: Turn Strategy Into Action

Networking isn't a one-time event—it's a long-term investment in your career. The strategies in this article work, but only if you implement them consistently.

Here's your action plan:

1.Join PMI Memphis (if you haven't already) and register for the next chapter meeting

2.Update your LinkedIn profile and start engaging with Memphis PM content

3.Volunteer for a PMI Memphis committee or event

4.Reach out to three people in your network this week—offer help, share an article, or just check in

5.Mark your calendar for Professional Development Day and commit to attending

Throughout my years in Memphis's PM community—from committee volunteer to Chapter President to my current role at IMC Logistics—I've seen how strategic networking transforms careers. The professionals who invest in relationships don't just advance—they become the leaders others turn to for guidance, opportunities, and collaboration.

Ready to take your networking to the next level? Join us at the next PMI Memphis chapter meeting and start building the relationships that will define your career.

Questions about networking or PMI Memphis membership? Contact PMI Memphis at ambassador@901pmi.org.

About the Author

Chandy Littlejohn is a Project Manager Advisor at IMC Logistics and a longtime leader in the Memphis project management community. With extensive experience spanning digital transformation at AutoZone, enterprise IT leadership at The Juice Plus+ Company, and strategic program management across multiple industries, Chandy brings a wealth of real-world expertise to every project.

As a former Chapter President and multiple-term Vice President of PMI Memphis, Chandy has dedicated years to advancing the project management profession in the Mid-South. Her leadership has helped shape PMI Memphis into one of the region's most vibrant professional communities, connecting hundreds of project managers with the resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to succeed.

A Disciplined Agile Champion and results-driven IT executive, Chandy specializes in Agile delivery, infrastructure modernization, and operational excellence. She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of project managers and helping Memphis professionals build the networks and skills that accelerate their careers.