Path issue with Python?

Question

I'm using Python with text editor Pycharm on a work computer where someone else installed Python. I'm locked out of making system changes myself. Python does run properly in Pycharm, though I had to direct Pycharm to the installation directory of Python.

I'm thinking that the Python Path wasn't set up properly when it was installed, but I'm not sure...kind of new to this! Examples below...

1. I cannot check Python's version in CMD with "python --version", but I can if I enter the full path to python.exe ("C:\Users\ ... \python.exe --version").
2. I also had to do something similar within Pycharm's terminal to install pip ("C:\Users\ ... \python.exe get-pip.py"), and now I have to use the full directory to install modules (e.g., "C:\Users\ ... \python.exe pip install pandas").

What's the solution to this, so I can install modules "normally" (without the directory)? Modifying the installation by rerunning the original Python executable and adding Python to Path? Or manually adding python.exe to the environment variables? ...or am I thinking about this all wrong? 😋

Gotta have someone else make system changes for me, so I want to be able to tell them exactly what needs to be done...

Thanks in advance!