How to Start and Thrive in Your Facility Management Career

 Whether you chose facility management intentionally or found it by accident, success in this industry is built on a foundation of service and professional community. Brent Ward and Bobby LaRon discuss their unique "origin stories" and the critical role IFMA plays in transforming a job into a world-class career. 

How do you transition from being an "unintentional" facility manager to a world-class professional? In this episode of the Connected FM Podcast, Bobby LaRon, member of IFMA's Global Board of Directors, and Brent Ward member of the IFMA Foundation Board of Trustees, share their personal pathways into the industry.

They dive deep into the essential "just-in-time" knowledge required for the field and why no FM can succeed as an island. You'll hear about:

• The Power of the Local Chapter: Why active participation is the key to unlocking the full value of your membership.
• The Value of Credentials: How the CFM, FMP and SFP provide a common global vocabulary and meet the increasing demands of employers.
• The Human Connection: Moving beyond capital assets to focus on the people who occupy the buildings we manage.
• Investing in the Next Generation: How scholarship programs and student cohorts are shaping the future of the FM profession.

Whether you are a student, a mid-career professional, or a seasoned veteran, this conversation offers a roadmap for "sharpening your saw" and finding fulfillment through service and mentorship within the global FM community.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 01:47 – How Brent Ward Got Started in FM
• 02:40 – The Accidental FM
• 03:30 – The Value of Community
• 04:45 – Getting Started
• 06:00 – Camaraderie Over Competition
• 07:30 – Finding Your Path
• 09:40 – The Service Mindset
• 11:15 – Resources for Growth
• 12:35 – IFMA Engage & Credentials
• 14:40 – Nurturing the Next Generation
• 16:30 – The Global Model
• 17:15 – Conclusion

 

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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma
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• YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal
• Visit us at https://ifma.org

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