Welcome to May’s NAVBLUE Employee Spotlight Feature! We’ve created these stories with the goal of shining a spotlight on the pivotal role our employees play in the tech and aviation field, their journeys so far, and how NAVBLUE aims to create an innovative and inclusive workforce with their help.
Today we are sharing the story of Pimmada CHANGKHAOPROM, Delivery & Deployment Project Manager.
Fun Facts
- Pimmada’s childhood dream was to become a world-famous guitarist
- She considers herself a funny person, and her friends would agree
- She has a Siberian Husky named “Fish” because her fiance would only agree to a fish as a pet (cheeky!)
Q&A
Thanks for joining us, Pimmada! Tell us a bit about your background.
I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering and started my career in Aerospace Original Manufacturing where I worked as a Special Process Engineer building aircraft parts. From there, I was assigned the role of Non-Destructive Testing Level 3 and moved into the Quality Department. Eventually I stepped into Project Management roles when there was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, and here I am now working in the aviation industry!
Why did you choose to work at NAVBLUE?
The excitement! When the opportunity came up and I saw the job posting online, I had to give it a try. I didn’t expect to hear back from NAVBLUE but I did. It was a completely different experience for me, because I was worried about what I didn’t know.
I went from aerospace manufacturing to the aviation & tech side of business. But I took the job because I knew that I could learn on the go, and it is exciting to learn new things too, isn’t it? It’s hard work but it’s exciting work.
Do you feel like the job is still new to you, or do you feel settled into the role?
Even though I am coming up on my 1 year anniversary with NAVBLUE it still feels new to me! There are so many things I have yet to learn about. I try to know about everything I can since I love to be taught new things. It keeps things exciting, and there’s always more to explore.
Can you tell me, in brief, what a project manager is and what your role in the company is?
My job is to make sure that projects are completed on time, meet the contract requirements, and to work with the customer and all stakeholders on it. I have to look at the risks related to a project, mitigate it, look at the outcomes and figure out how best to collaborate with a particular customer!
What do you think makes a good project manager, and why?
Communication is key. As project manager you have to make sure that everyone (from your team to the client) is communicating in the best way possible, to the right people, and with the right content. If someone is missing from the loop, it could mean the job doesn’t get done properly.
Here’s an example: I have to communicate with people to inform and involve them in the job, get them to finish tasks in a timely manner, and I also have to communicate with the customers who are a part of the Project Team. Commitment and collaboration are focal points for the project to move forward.
You have to be able to push the project forward, but not too hard because you also have to remember you’re dealing with people. That’s why content, tone, and the way to communicate matters. = Communication!
What has your experience been like at NAVBLUE since you’ve joined?
Different and great! The people I work with are amazing. They understand that my background is not originally aviation. If I ask them a question, they always go to the extent of teaching me the answer and I love that.
The time difference can be hard since I’m based in Thailand. Most of my clients are based in the Asia-Pacific region and my colleagues work in Europe or Canada but I love that I can interact with people globally.
What are some of your favorite things about working at NAVBLUE?
The people! I can’t emphasize this enough. Everyone I’ve met so far is so nice. I’ve never come across a person at NAVBLUE I didn’t like and sometimes I ask myself, “is it possible for everyone at one company to be this nice?”
Any advice for people looking to get involved in project management roles?
It’ll help if you like to talk to people and you’re comfortable with stepping in and prioritizing tasks for your team to make sure the important things are done first!
Is there anything else you think people should know about your work at NAVBLUE?
I’m still learning. It’s going to take me a long time to learn. Right now I work on N-Flight Planning projects (among others.) The time will come when there’s another new product I have to work on and learn about. The lesson is that everyday is a school day.
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Interested in joining the NAVBLUE Team? We are hiring!
