Stephanie Duenas: my experience as project manager

    Being a project manager for multiple group projects this semester has been one of the most rewarding and challenging experience I've had as a student. From coordinating meetings to organizing research and balancing different personalities I learned that leadership is more than assigning tasks. It's about communication, teamwork, and making sure every voice in the group feels valued. Through our projects on topics like healthcare and families, economy and education, and environment and healthcare, I gained a deeper understanding not only of the subjects themselves but also what it truly means to guide a team toward a shared goal.

Taking on the Role 

When our class was first assigned the group projects, I volunteered to be group manager. At first, I thought it would just mean keeping each group on schedule, but I quickly realized it was much more than that. I became the main point of contact and even the groups organizer. My main goal was to make sure everyone understood what was meant to be done and knew what each of their parts where during this project. I wanted to make sure each member of the group understood their roles also so that the project reflected a real collaboration and not just a collection of part put together. 

For each of the topics, a priority for the other group manager and me was to ensure that every group chose a topic they were both passionate about and comfortable discussing. By doing this, I wanted each member to feel genuinely connected to their topic, which in turn fostered a stronger sense of shared ownership when it came time to divide roles and responsibilities. This approach not only made collaboration smoother but also encouraged open communication within the team. I learned that when people feel heard and valued, they’re far more motivated to contribute their best work and take pride in the group’s success.

Planning and Organizing

Time management was probably one of the most valuable lessons I learned. Balancing multiple projects with different deadlines taught me how to prioritize tasks and track progress effectively. To stay organized, I created checklists and timelines for each project, which allowed me to allocate equal time to key sections like the introduction and conclusion. This system helped me stay on schedule while maintaining the same level of quality across all my work.

Communication was also key. With the group chats that were set up by the other group manager and I, the group members were able to quickly update each other and share resources. Especially when it came down to reanalyzing what each group member had to do when there were a few students that had to leave the class due to absence. That kind of flexibility kept our groups positive and focused on solutions rather than problems. 

Healthcare and Families 

This project on healthcare and families gave us valuable insight into how access to healthcare affects family life. As project manager, reviewing the group’s work and writing the conclusion helped me discover information I hadn’t been aware of before. I learned that when families lack affordable healthcare, it influences nearly every aspect of their lives, from increased stress levels to financial instability. This understanding deepened my appreciation for how interconnected social and economic factors are within family well-being.

Another key takeaway from this project was the importance of clear communication. Throughout the process, I learned that keeping everyone informed and checking in regularly made a huge difference in how smoothly the group worked together. Whether it was scheduling meetings, sharing updates, or giving feedback, open communication helped us stay organized and avoid misunderstandings. This experience taught me that good communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about listening, understanding different perspectives, and working toward a common goal.

Economy and Education

The economy and education project also taught me many new things I hadn’t known before. It focused on exploring how the cost and quality of education impact economic growth around the world. I found this topic especially engaging because it connected closely to our own experiences as students. Through our research, I gained a deeper understanding of how investing in education can shape a country’s future workforce and overall development.

Learning about the link between education and the economy made me appreciate the value of my own education even more. It reminded me that the opportunities we have as students can play a big role in shaping not just our futures, but society as a whole. This inspired me to stay motivated and make the most of the resources available to me.

This project also taught me the importance of a clear presentation. When the group finally shared their work, I was able to see how it flowed naturally and tell a story, not just list facts. This groups projects perfectly sowed how education and the economy are intertwined with each other. It was wonderful to see how teamwork created something cohesive and meaningful. 

Environment and Healthcare 

The environment and healthcare projects showed me how two major global issues intersect. From pollution to climate change, our group explored how environmental conditions directly impact human health. As I read through the project, I was surprised to learn how issues like poor air quality, contaminated water, and extreme weather can lead to long-term health problems in communities around the world. This project opened my eyes to how environmental and health policies must work hand in hand to create sustainable solutions. It also made me realize how small changes in environmental awareness can lead to meaningful improvements in people’s quality of life.

This project remined me that leadership is not about control, it’s about coordination. My job was to keep things running smoothly while letting everyone shine in their area that they were working on. Seeing the final presentation come together made all the hard work worth it. 

What I Learned about Leadership

Managing multiple projects at once taught me patience, adaptability, and confidence. I realized that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room, it’s about listening and helping others succeed. There were moments when things didn’t go perfectly, like missed deadlines or miscommunication, but I learned how to handle those setbacks calmly. 

Reflection 

Looking back, being project manager pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best way possible. I developed stronger communication and leadership skills that will help me in both my academic and professional life. Whether it's in nursing school, clinical settings, or future group work, I know how important it is to stay organized, keep communication open, and lead with empathy. 

In the end, being project manager wasn't just about getting good grades, it was about learning how to bring people together to create something meaningful. It reminded me that leadership isn't about being in charge, it's about helping others do their best work been finding success as a team.