Today we’d like to introduce you to Dharam Singh.
Hi Dharam, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
After graduating, I bagged a lucrative government job as a Junior Manager at Public Service Undertaking (PSU) – The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). For most professionals, this would be a jackpot and a gold mine because government jobs offer numerous amenities and benefits in addition to a solid retirement plan. However, I was not like most people. When I say that I had dreamt big, I really mean it.
After four years, I left the security of my cushy government job and re-entered the job market in a project manager role. However, my career pushed me to the next level and pushed me to Australia because of the immense opportunities. This move was unquestionably a gamble because I risked my job security by deciding to migrate to a foreign country.
Program/Project managers need to continually find success because our jobs are meted and evaluated based on the success of each project. But my efforts paid off as I could consistently land my desired postings at established Multinational Corporations (MNCs) such as HCL Technologies and Westpac, where I spent a year each, and HP, where I spent nine years. This accomplishment was no small feat, as it was the late 1990s, and immigration was still a vague concept in India.
Moreover, I was an Indian-origin manager at Australian firms managing professionals from diverse origins. I landed a government contract within Australia at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC Canberra), a significant milestone for someone of Indian origin such as myself. Alongside other contracts at major firms such as the NSW BusinessLink, AAPT, and the City of Gold Coast, I was also rising the ranks within the Sydney chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI), where I volunteered to serve as the Certification Director and Secretary, which is one of my most monumental achievements. In a wonderful turn of events, I got to work with HP again, where I could leverage my newly acquired skill set to good effect. Subsequently, I got to work at Infosys, Westpac, and Telstra, Australia’s largest telecommunications company.
Yet, out of all this, the endeavor that is dearest to my heart is undoubtedly my very own company that I founded in 2011, viz. “vCare Project Management.” As the CEO and the company’s leading trainer, I play a central role in personally training my students in the various facets of projects, programs, portfolio management, and many more.
Having spent a few years in Australia, I was honored with its citizenship a few years ago. This achievement resulted from my continuous commitment to the people and the country of Australia.
The USA has arguably the most competitive work environment in the world, but I can still make an impact through my work. At vCare Project Management, I train individuals to be better project, program, and portfolio management professionals and succeed in the intense examinations required to obtain the most elusive project management certifications, the PMP®, PgMP®, and PfMP®. I unleash their full potential through my systemic approach, enabling them to realize their aspirations.
I have visited and conducted training programs and boot camps in most of the world’s major cities.
Given that my profession necessitates extensive travel, I believe that through my diverse experiences, I can claim to be a true global citizen. In February 2017, I was conferred the prestigious “Global Training Development Leadership Award” from CHRO Asia at the 25th World HRD Congress, which holds a special place in my heart. I have received hearty testimonials from over a hundred pleased students who have attended my program, and they can testify to its effectiveness. I also continue to hold free webinars on my YouTube channel, where I invite other project, program, and portfolio management experts. Truly, words cannot describe how glad I am to know that I have impacted the lives of so many people despite hailing from a humble background.
From a small village in India to the global stage, I’ve defied expectations and embraced challenges head-on.
Born with a physical deformity (clubfeet), I overcame societal barriers to succeed in education and career. Australia became my second home, where I excelled as a project manager and earned esteemed certifications. Now residing in the United States, I proudly train and empower professionals worldwide.
My company, vCare Project Management, is a testament to my dedication. Yoga remains my anchor, inspiring me to give back and help others. My story proves that anyone can surpass their circumstances and leave a lasting impact with resilience, determination, and belief. During the COVID-19 crisis, I adopted the “What Next Approach,” making significant behavioral adjustments, setting clear goals, and fostering empathy. Embracing digitization, I moved my training programs online and incorporated more yoga into my routine. As a yoga instructor, I deliver free community classes, valuing strength, flexibility, and the ability to see possibilities in difficult times. I thrived by embracing change and focusing on personal and professional growth.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Throughout my voyage, I have faced a variety of difficulties. I had to get above social constraints to succeed because I was born with a physical impairment. Transitioning from a small Indian village to the world stage entailed adjusting to new situations and cultures. I had professional difficulties as a project manager, including challenging projects and short deadlines. My resolve was tested again to the test once more by the COVID-19 issue, which made me switch to online platforms and the creation of a collaborative work environment necessary. But I kept going because of my resolve, adaptability, and self-confidence. I overcame challenges and achieved extraordinary achievements with the correct mindset.
If I were to narrate my illustrious career to my younger self, I would have scarcely believed that I would transcend my humble beginnings and trot the globe as a trainer and educator for so many professionals.
This achievement, more than anything else, is a testament to the potency of human willpower. I was but an ordinary Indian kid with an extraordinary dream, and I had managed to go from rural India to a global citizen. So, believe me when I tell you that everyone can rise above their circumstances to an unfathomable extent, provided they possess the pragmatism, insight, and perseverance to do so. If you take this to heart and believe in your capabilities, you can rest assured that others will follow suit.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
vCare Project Management was founded in 2011 and has grown rapidly. We provide training programs, consulting, advisory services, resourcing, books, and publications in the project-program portfolio management space. With 452 PgMP and 115 PfMP, and 1000+ PMP successful students, vCare ensures professionals receive qualified training. These credentials attest to special project, program, and portfolio management skills. These training programs align with industry standards, enabling people to thrive in their roles and boosting organizational excellence.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
To set the scene, imagine a simple village in the Indian countryside in 1970. My childhood was marked by the simple pleasures in life just as it was by the lush foliage and greenery that encompassed me.
Despite one’s tendency to view such memories through rose-tinted glasses, my childhood was not entirely a bed of roses. I was born with a congenital physical deformity that materialized as clubfoot on my left limb. It is important to note that society wasn’t very open-minded or progressive back then, especially in the rural parts of the country. Those who had my condition often ended up as paupers who begged on the streets with little to no prospects of landing a decent living.
To top it off, I was an introverted child who shunned large gatherings and dreaded the stage. One can only imagine how lowly I regarded myself then, for I did not have the ambition to yearn for a decent livelihood. Hence, I owe my current success to my parents and teachers, and I am eternally grateful for their timely guidance and perpetual upliftment. I am also indebted to yoga, which entered my life during this trying period, for imbibing me with the spirituality that has served as a coping mechanism for helping me deal with my physical condition.
With a specific focus and determination to succeed in my education, I successfully achieved the National Talent Scholarship (NTS) in 1987. Conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), I was one among the 700 nationally to achieve this scholarship by passing the National Talent Search Examination (NTSE). Spurred by my parents, I began to dream big and set my sights on the prestigious Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTI) for my higher education.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vcareprojectmanagement.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dharamvcare/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dharamsinghpgmp
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dharamsingh/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dharam_PgMP
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dharamsinghpgmppfmp
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/dharam_singh_pgmp_pfmp
- Other: https://in.pinterest.com/DharamSingh_PMP_PgMP_PfMP/