Chapter News

• What motivated you to pursue your PMP certification?

My most recent role as a Project Manager at a Brazilian company operating globally was the initial trigger for pursuing the PMP certification. At the same time, my move to Amsterdam represented a significant personal and professional transition. Relocating to Europe made me realize the importance of holding an internationally recognized credential that could validate my experience and open doors in a competitive global job market. The PMP felt like the right step not just as a certification, but as an external validation of my professional maturity and readiness to operate in international environments. It became both a strategic career decision and a personal commitment to growth. 

• How did your preparation process look like? / Which study materials or resources did you find most helpful?

My preparation journey lasted approximately 10 months, all while adapting to a new country, a new culture, and a new phase of life. I focused heavily on the TIA Exams PMP Prep Course, which was extremely helpful in strengthening my understanding of the fundamentals and, most importantly, the PMI mindset. I studied the PMBOK Guide, the Agile Practice Guide, and the Process Groups Practice Guide to deeply understand the processes, principles, and conceptual structure behind project management. PMI Study Hall was essential in developing exam stamina and refining my reasoning for scenario-based questions. In addition, Andrew Ramdayal’s mindset videos and Ricardo Vargas’ explanations about process flow and structure significantly enhanced my conceptual clarity. More than memorizing content, I worked on truly understanding how PMI expects project managers to think and act in different situations. Alongside this, I completed a large number of full-length exam simulations to build confidence and endurance. 

• Do you have any tips for others preparing for the exam?

First, deeply understand the processes. When you truly grasp how they connect and flow, everything becomes clearer and your confidence grows naturally. Second, think like PMI in every scenario. Apply the recommended mindset consistently. Avoid focusing on memorization. Instead, focus on learning, understanding, and applying the concepts in your daily professional life. When the principles become part of your natural thinking, the exam becomes less intimidating. In parallel, take realistic four-hour mock exams and practice a high volume of situational questions. When you consistently achieve scores above 80% in quality simulators, you will be well prepared to schedule the exam. 

• How has the certification impacted your career or day-to-day work so far?

After achieving my PMP, I shared the accomplishment with my network and former colleagues. The feedback on LinkedIn was extremely positive and strengthened my professional positioning in the European market. I am currently in discussions regarding potential projects, and I strongly believe the certification has enhanced my credibility and visibility. It has allowed me to reconnect with my network with renewed confidence and reinforced my commitment to building an international career. Beyond market recognition, the certification also sharpened my structured thinking and reinforced a disciplined, principle-driven approach to project leadership.

• What was the most challenging part for you, and how did you overcome it?

The most challenging part was balancing everything. In 2025, my wife and I moved from Brazil to Amsterdam due to her professional opportunity. I left my job to support this transition. At the same time, I was adapting to a new country, a new language, searching for housing, managing freelance projects, and studying daily for the PMP. 

I failed my first attempt in March. I studied harder and took the exam again in July. I improved significantly but narrowly missed the target in one domain. That was a crucial moment. After months of preparation, I felt frustrated and considered giving up. There was also the pressure of an upcoming content update, which made the final attempt even more emotionally demanding. 

At that point, I realized that passing would require more than just studying harder; it required becoming mentally and physically stronger. I improved my sleep routine, resumed psychological therapy, increased my physical training and running sessions, practiced meditation, joined study groups, and continued taking simulators consistently while dedicating additional focused study hours. 

On my final attempt, I achieved above-target scores. That moment was not only about passing an exam it was about resilience, discipline, and emotional growth. 

• Who or what helped keep you motivated throughout your journey?

My ambition to become a globally recognized, certified Project Manager was a major driver. I wanted to elevate my career, strengthen my international profile, and continue growing as a professional. But above all, my wife, Rachel Carneiro, played a fundamental role. As we started a new life together in Amsterdam, we supported each other through every challenge. She encouraged me during difficult moments, supported my study plans, and stood by me through every decision. Building this new chapter together made the journey meaningful and strengthened my determination to succeed.

• What would you say to someone unsure whether they should start this journey?

The PMP is not just a certification it is a transformative learning journey. It strengthens your strategic thinking, risk management capabilities, communication approach, leadership style, and decision-making under uncertainty. It challenges you to become more structured, adaptable, and people oriented as a professional. If you are considering it, my advice is simple: start. It is demanding, but it will elevate not only your career, it will elevate the way you think, act, and lead as a Project Manager. 

Bio:

Filipe Favarelo, PMP, is a project manager with experience delivering complex initiatives in international and fast-paced environments. He brings a structured, stakeholder-focused approach to project delivery and cross-functional alignment.

Most recently at Iron Studios, he led end-to-end development of licensed products for global franchises including Disney, Pixar, and Universal, managing projects from concept through production and supporting brand activations at international events such as Comic-Con.

Earlier in his career, he led corporate events, brand activations, and publicly funded projects in Brazil, overseeing planning, budget control, supplier coordination, and multi-stakeholder engagement in highly dynamic settings.

Feel free to connect with Filipo on LinkedIn.

Newsletter Editor’s Note: Preparing for a certification can feel both exciting and overwhelming - and who better to learn from than colleagues who have just gone through the process? In this new Q&A series, we highlight recently certified team members who share their personal journeys, study approaches, challenges, and tips for success. Their real-world experiences aim to inspire and support anyone preparing for their next exam, offering practical insights and honest reflections from those who’ve been right where you are. At the end of each feature, you’ll also find a short author bio to help you get to know the voices behind the stories.