First Steps on the Trail: Starting Your Procurement Journey

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First Steps on the Trail: Starting Your Procurement Journey

August 26, 2025 | by Micah Gibson

Why Now is the Time to Communicate the Value of Procurement

Beginning a career in public procurement can feel exciting and overwhelming. For many professionals, the role is in a completely unfamiliar environment. The regulations are complex; the responsibilities are significant. You might ask: how do I get up to speed, build confidence, and find a path toward long-term success in this profession?

During a recent 2025 REACH session, First Steps on the Trail: Starting Your Procurement Journey, procurement professionals shared practical strategies for achieving success. In this article, we’ve outlined tips to help you start your procurement journey with confidence.

Build on Your Transferable Skills

Procurement isn’t just knowing contracts, regulations, and procedures. It demands good judgment, clear thinking, and a willingness to learn. If you’re coming from the private sector, you might wonder how your skills fit in. The real key is how you approach the work. Fresh perspectives are valuable, and soft skills like critical thinking, decision-making, integrity, and self-awareness translate everywhere.

As you begin working with your team, it’s important to remain coachable, be open to feedback, and not get discouraged by mistakes. Everyone is new at some point. No one expects you to know everything right away. Instead, focus on staying curious, adaptable, and resilient through this process. Ask questions, speak up when you need clarification, and be honest about what you know and what you still need to learn. When you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to contact your leadership for guidance to support your growth further.

Embrace Every Learning Opportunity and Resources

One of the best ways to accelerate your understanding is by embracing every resource available to you in your office. Start with getting up to speed on the resources available:

These materials can provide crucial insight into how procurement is designed to work and highlight common challenges and solutions in real-world scenarios in your state and office.

Of course, documents can only take you so far, and public procurement isn’t something most people learn in school. It’s vital to invest in learning opportunities such as:

Explore trainings, courses, and resources offered by NASPO through our Procurement U platform or your organization that are designed to bring newcomers up to speed quickly.
Programs that cover compliance requirements, procurement process basics, and best practices.

Remember: your team is an incredible resource. Leaders, colleagues, and mentors each play an essential role in helping you learn, adapt, and grow. Procurement is a relationship-driven field, and building strong networks can lead to mentorship, shared best practices, and collaboration opportunities. Networking and finding a mentor doesn’t have to be formal or overwhelming. It just needs to be intentional and genuine. Consider these strategies:

Identify key people in your organization who can share insights, answer your questions, or let you shadow them during procurement activities.
Communicate your learning style to leaders so they can better support your development.
Build your network intentionally by attending association events, connecting on social media, and engaging in professional groups.
Look for mentors both within your office and beyond, including other departments, agencies, or even outside government entirely. Seek honesty, willingness to share experiences, and genuine investment in your success.
Be proactive in maintaining relationships and offering support in return.

Each connection and resource is an opportunity to invest in your development, to set the foundation for your long-term success in public procurement no matter what role you are in.

Stay Informed and Keep Growing

The procurement field is constantly evolving with new laws, changing policies, shifting best practices, and technological innovations. It will be important to stay current on what’s happening in the field. Sign up for newsletters, follow procurement news outlets, blogs, and regularly check your state’s procurement guides and contract manuals for updates. Staying informed means, you’re less likely to get caught off guard by a change in policy or compliance.

Exploring continued education opportunities will be just as important. Certifications not only deepen your understanding of the profession but also demonstrate your commitment to long-term growth. Two certifications to consider from the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC):

Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO)® Ideal for professionals in leadership or management roles.
Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)® Geared toward procurement professionals who perform essential functions of the procurement cycle.

If you’re considering a certification of any kind in the field, speak with colleagues who have earned them. Most colleagues are willing to share their experiences and advice for preparation. Explore what study resources are available to you to prepare through your professional and procurement focused associations like NASPO.

Procurement is a broad field, offering a variety of career paths from purchasing to contract administration to project management. Continued education helps you explore those opportunities and take your career in the direction that suits your strengths and goals.

Create Your Personal Growth Plan

It’s time to put your plan into action. Start by setting a few short-term goals, including focusing on completing a training, connecting with a mentor, shadowing a colleague, or finding additional ways to deepen your understanding of the procurement field. Check in on your progress regularly, and don’t be afraid to adjust your plan as you learn more about your strengths and interests.

A new position can be challenging, so make sure you are advocating for yourself. If you see a gap in your knowledge, seek out the resources or training to fill it. If you’re feeling stuck, reach out to your network for support. Growth in procurement is a journey, and nobody expects you to have it all figured out immediately.

Starting out in procurement can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. With the right strategies and a plan for growth, you can build a career that’s aimed at long-term success.