Jose Nieves is a seasoned project manager in the tech industry, known for his resilience, adaptability and innovative spirit.
His journey into project management is a story of self-discovery, entrepreneurial ventures, military service and a relentless pursuit of knowledge.
A Resilient Start
Graduating college in 2010, Jose entered a challenging job market shaped by the 2008 financial crisis.
After being laid off from a traditional job, Jose leveraged his experience from corporate America and degree in communications, to embark on a series of entrepreneurial ventures.
This eventually led to a key turning point in Jose’s professional career when he was forced to build a website for one of his ventures.
Entering the Tech World
Unable to afford professional services, he took it upon himself to learn front-end web development.
Armed with a series of books including “HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites” by Jon Duckett and a passion for learning, Jose mastered HTML and CSS, eventually adding JavaScript to his skill set.
This hands-on experience not only introduced him to the world of tech but also ignited a passion for building and managing digital projects.
Military Service
After a series of ventures, Jose sought to fulfill a long-held ambition of joining the military.
Joining the US Navy, Jose enlisted as a Fire Controlman (FC) under the Advanced Electronics / Computer Field (AECF) umbrella and again found himself working in IT.
Only instead of designing websites, now he was troubleshooting the very equipment that operated the defense systems of the ship.
This role further honed his technical skills and deepened his understanding of complex systems and problem-solving under pressure.
Everything Happens For A Reason
One pivotal night following the conclusion of his military contract, Jose shared his progress on his next venture, an online fitness streaming company, HIIT HART, with his then partner, who quickly pointed out that he was essentially a project manager.
This revelation was an eye-opening one given that Jose had never heard the term prior nor knew it was even a profession.
Taking a minute to process all the information he was being presented with, Jose realized that all his ventures involved key project management components from creating work breakdown structures, to conducting business analysis and developing project charters and budgets.
Recognizing that he had been honing these skills all throughout his diverse career, this epiphany led him to embrace the role, eventually earning numerous PM certifications including:
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Certification
- Professional Scrum Master™ I Certification
Beyond the Resume
Outside of his professional achievements, Jose is a continuous learner, always staying abreast of the latest news and trends.
When not working out, being nose deep in a book or working on his 1973 Volkswagen Beetle, Jose enjoys giving back to the local community by leading various projects with New York Cares.
