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nicolebartko

Balancing Dual Passions: My Journey in IT Project Management and Mentorship


Introduction: Balancing Passion with Practicality

As I reflect on my career, spurred by the process of applying for new projects and updating my portfolio, I find myself in an exciting and somewhat unexpected place: balancing my long-standing role in IT project management with a growing passion for personal mentorship. While project management has been the foundation of my professional life—grounding me in the practical and supporting me financially—I’m also driven to build something of my own. I want to create a mentorship practice where I can guide others on a deeper, more personal level.

Building this business is a journey that takes time, patience, and resources, which is why I’m still actively seeking new project opportunities. Each project allows me to bring my skills as a mentor into the professional arena, enriching team dynamics and client relationships alike. In many ways, the technical and the subtle elements of my work are coming together, each enhancing and supporting the other.


From Project Deadlines to Personal Growth: Embracing Dual Passions

Choosing to nurture a mentorship practice while continuing in IT project management is both practical and deeply personal. I have always loved working with teams, guiding them through complex projects, and watching ideas come to life. But in recent years, I’ve felt a pull to support people on a different level—to help them discover their potential, challenge their limiting beliefs, and explore what it means to live authentically.

Mentorship lets me bring this passion into my projects as well, where I now focus not only on deliverables but also on the human experience. I see every interaction as a chance to connect, to listen deeply, and to encourage growth, both professionally and personally.


The Skills That Carry Over

One thing I’ve learned is that the skills I honed in IT translate beautifully to mentorship. Whether guiding a project or guiding a person, I rely on listening, empathy, and a knack for understanding complex needs. Project management taught me to assess challenges and find solutions, which now helps me create supportive and transformative spaces for my coaching clients.

In both worlds, my aim is the same: to see people thrive. I want my clients and project teams alike to feel understood, empowered, and encouraged to reach their highest potential. This combination of technical and personal focus allows me to offer something unique, a blend of the structured and the human that, I hope, makes people feel both seen and supported.


Challenges in Building a New Path

Transitioning into mentorship while maintaining freelance project management has its challenges, and I’d be lying if I said it was easy. Shifting from the stability of employment to freelancing has been a leap of faith, with moments of doubt and worry over finances. I’m still actively looking for project opportunities to support me as I build this new business, and some days, balancing it all feels daunting.

But every challenge has deepened my resilience and reminded me of the importance of following my passions. This journey has taught me to be more adaptable and compassionate with myself, knowing that growth often comes through these challenges. It’s my hope that being open about this process might encourage others to follow their dreams, even if the path isn’t always clear or easy.


Embracing the Role of Mentor

One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been leading women’s circles and facilitating cacao ceremonies, creating spaces where people feel safe to connect and explore their true selves. Watching clients have those moments of realization or breakthrough has reaffirmed my choice to pursue this path. The work feels deeply fulfilling and has given me a sense of purpose that goes beyond the traditional.

For me, mentorship and project management are not opposing forces—they’re complementary, each giving me unique insights and energy that fuel the other. This balance keeps me grounded in what I love, blending the technical with the subtle, and making each role more meaningful.


Final Thoughts: The Power of Authenticity

To anyone considering a similar journey, I want to say that it’s okay to take the path that feels authentic to you, even if it’s uncertain. Building a new business or stepping into a new role doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s normal to feel unsure. What’s important is to stay true to your values and passions and to trust that each step brings you closer to where you’re meant to be.

As I continue on this path, I hope to connect with people who share similar values, whether in IT project management or personal mentorship. I want to be visible, to offer encouragement, and to show others that it’s possible to live authentically, blending the practical with the passionate. Every challenge is a part of the journey, and every success—big or small—is a reason to keep going.

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