ZhaoCong (Tommy) Liu
ZhaoCong (Tommy) Liu (MET’23)
Master of Science in Project Management
BS in Criminal Justice, Michigan State University
This interview was originally published in spring 2023. Tommy now holds the position of Project Manager at Boston Management Consulting International.
What motivated you to earn your master’s degree at this point? Why did you choose to fulfill your goal at Metropolitan College?
The decision to pursue a master’s degree in project management at this point in my career was motivated by the increasing demand for skilled project managers and my desire for career advancement. I chose Boston University’s Metropolitan College (BU MET) due to its strong reputation and practical approach to learning. One of the key factors that attracted me to BU MET was its exceptional team of project management professors. Their expertise and industry experience make them some of the best in the field, which ensured that I received top-notch education and mentorship. It was the perfect choice to fulfill my goal of earning a master’s degree in project management and gain the necessary skills for success in the field.
What do you find most fascinating about the discipline of project management? Do you have a particular focus within the broader field?
What I find most fascinating about the discipline of project management is its dynamic nature and the ability to bring together diverse teams and resources to accomplish a common goal within a specified timeframe. The complexity of managing various moving parts, balancing competing priorities, and adapting to unforeseen challenges is both intellectually stimulating and professionally rewarding.
I have a particular focus on stakeholder management and communication. I believe that effective stakeholder engagement is crucial for project success, as it involves understanding and addressing the needs and expectations of different stakeholders, such as clients, team members, and sponsors. By fostering strong relationships and maintaining open lines of communication, project managers can ensure alignment, manage expectations, and drive collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.
Congratulations on your high achievement in the Project Management program and your Award for Excellence in your studies! What do you consider to be the main ingredients of your success?
Looking back, I consider discipline and consistency as the main ingredients of my success in the Project Management program. As Denzel Washington wisely stated, “Dreams without goals are just dreams; in order to achieve your goals, you must apply discipline and consistency.” Setting clear and specific goals provided me with a sense of direction and purpose.
However, simply having goals is not enough. To achieve those goals, I embraced discipline and consistency as my guiding principles. I consistently applied myself to my studies, adhered to schedules, and managed my time effectively. This discipline allowed me to stay focused, even when faced with challenges or distractions. I maintained a dedicated work ethic, consistently putting in the best effort required to excel academically.
By consistently showing up and putting in my best effort, I was able to maintain momentum and make steady progress towards my goals. By combining discipline and consistency, I was able to achieve outstanding results in the Project Management program. These qualities not only helped me excel academically but also shaped my overall mindset and approach to success.
How were you able to successfully balance your studies with your commitments outside the classroom?
I think being disciplined is my only answer for this question. The person who goes to the gym everyday regardless of how he feels will always beat the person who goes to the gym whenever they feel like going to the gym. It is player versus player. I’m the type of individual who is disciplined, consistent, and I have absolute self-control. Motivation is not permanent, but being disciplined makes me achieve the goals that I set and helps me be better every day.
Is there a particular course or project that enhanced your experience in the Project Management program? Please explain.
The Project Risk and Cost Management (MET AD 644) course significantly enhanced my experience in the Project Management program at BU MET. I gained a deep understanding of identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks throughout the project lifecycle. The course emphasized stakeholder engagement, effective communication, and the development of risk response plans.
Real-world case studies and practical exercises allowed me to apply risk management concepts, improving my ability to anticipate and manage potential obstacles in projects. Overall, the course equipped me with valuable skills to ensure better project outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction.
Can you share any examples of skills, principles, or practices learned in the program that you were concurrently able to apply to your job?
The three most important soft skills I learned from the BU PM program in my opinion are leadership, motivation, and communication. As a leader, it is important to understand how the team works and what the characteristics of a good team are.
Meanwhile, a good leader needs to be visionary, optimistic, and positive. Before working on a particular project, tasks and goals should be clearly defined and understood by everyone on the team, along with assigning tasks based on each team member’s capabilities.
The foundation of leadership is trust—I think logical authenticity and empathy are important. If a leader doesn’t have any empathy, he will not have any followers.
Second, being able to motivate others is a core function of leadership and has become an essential project management soft skill. I know that project management is largely about changes and generally human beings are not good at changes, so I need to know how to motivate people as a project manager. Everyone has motivational forces inside them and as a manager it is important to understand what those are for each team member, to tap into that and influence their behavior in a positive way.
Third is communication. Projects are done by people; poor communication undermines a project’s success. Open and honest communication from top-level leadership helps result in the same communication and trust from all other members of the team. Being an active and engaged listener is also beneficial for leading the team and the success of the project.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I am immensely grateful for the recognition I received from faculty and peers for my hard work and dedication in the Project Management program. I attribute a significant amount of my motivation and inspiration to my mother, whose unwavering support has been the driving force behind my achievements. Her sacrifices and belief in my abilities have instilled in me a strong work ethic and a determination to excel.
With her as my guiding light, I strive to reach new heights and make a meaningful impact in the field of project management. I am deeply thankful to my mother and feel I must acknowledge her as the key source of my success in the program.