Shawna CantuCEO, Project Manager| Pursuit Project Management & Consulting, LLCKaty, Tx, United States
As a new business owner, I'm conflicted. In my opinion, there is no right answer. However, I prefer working with like minded individuals who have some project management experience, even if it is not from the healthcare construction industry. Yet, at the same time it is paramount to realize if employees are hired with emphasis on their experience, it creates an epidemic of unemployable college graduates. Food for thought. Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
Education is often useful, but depending on the industry it gets swept aside when it encounters real-life experience. Experience is usually beneficial, except when employees become unwilling or unable to change their mindsets when something new emerges.
Therefore, I most prefer people who have a high capacity for learning, and are flexible in their thinking. I can always teach such individuals what they need to know. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Shawna,
Very interesting topic / question. If I had to chose, I would go with someone with fair amount of education but many years of experience. In the project management field, education provides you with a background but you learn mostly from your experience.
When if comes to specific domain experience, I personally think having the basic technical experience in a certain field where you will work is important as it will help you manage projects better and make sense of estimates, schedules and other parameters and will also make it easier for you to communite and manage change. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
If you are talking about project management and you are saying that it is a new startup then first thing to do is to decide if project management must be part of your business strategy or not. When you start a new business you are inside "growth" phase of the life cycle and the focus is making money then "formal" procedures and practices are setting aside. Saving Changes...
Lenka PincotChief of Staff to the CEO| Project Management InstituteParis, France
I prefer balanced experience and education. It is a tough call. But when I would have to choose between the two of them, I would probably go for experience because education does not talk about ability to deliver while proved experience and track record does. Saving Changes...
Dinah YoungProject Manager / Software Asset Manager| Prince William CountySpringfield, Va, United States
Depending on your industry, you can also look at like this. People with education but no experience also have no bad habit and can be trained to do things the way you want. Those with experience often have bad habits that you need to break before training them. Just trying to look at it from the other direction. Saving Changes...
I always look for some foundational PM education but most of my focus is on the breadth and depth of the candidate's experience. I'd rather have someone that has managed a variety of projects vs. someone that has lots of experience with only a very specific type of project. I also look for the candidate's commitment to the profession - how are they keeping themselves current and contributing to their and others development.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Guilherme CalobaProduction Engineer| PETROBRASRio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Dear Shawna, good question! I think you should try to balance things out, but to have the drive of a graduate in your team can really help! And teach you one or two things. So as long as you have someone with experience to guide the process, having a team of unexperienced people could work just fine. Most of all, I think you need to have well defined responsabilities for each team member and adjust as you move. Hope it helps! Saving Changes...
Wade HarshmanScrum Master| GDITIndianapolis, In, United States
If I must choose only one, I'd choose experience. A person who has been on the job for 20 years probably doesn't need the education, but an educated person with no experience definitely needs some time on the job to learn how the "real world" differs from vacuum of academia.
Allow me to contradict myself, though. A person with education looking for experience could bring fresh ideas and energy to your business. Saving Changes...
Interesting question ! there are many factors to consider: Role, Industry, Project Complexity, Country and others, however if I were forced to take a decision my choice would prefer strong education and little experience.
Thank you Shawna for the great question ! Saving Changes...
Anish AbrahamPrivacy Program Manager| University of WashingtonAuburn, Wa, United States
Good question and thanks for posting this.
I would prefer people who have education and growth mindset. I can train such people, because the growth mindset embodies a passion for learning rather than a hunger for approval. Saving Changes...
"Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious and immature."
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