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...
Definitely the latter, because domain and professional experience is more important to the success of the project than education/certifications/qualifications. Saving Changes...
Ed Tsyitee JrConsultant | Consultant Tucson, Az, United States
I've been looking for work for 4 years. I've just recently given up on the prospect of finding a job again, which is why I'm trying start some freelance work.
The trend I'm seeing now is asking for low education and high experience. I've seen job descriptions where companies want a high school education or GED plus at least 5 years experience. It translates to a cheap hire-you don't have to pay a higher salary for the college degree, and you don't have to waste money training them.
Personally, I'd like to see some college education and the opportunity to gain experience. Saving Changes...
RAJESH K LProject Manager, PMP| Bharat Electronics, Bengaluru, IndiaBengaluru, Karnataka, India
Interesting one. In my view both are equally important. An organisation should ensure right mix at all times to achieve its growth Saving Changes...
MANI SAHAYProject Manager SAP Technology| T-SystemsBangalore, Karnataka, India
We all are born with zero education and zero experience. But we all learn and grow along with life and time. So someone with simple education but positive approach towards learn grow can definitely be asset. But make sure you provide right atmosphere and achievable target. Saving Changes...
Alok PriyadarshiProject Manager| Tata Consulting Engineers LimitedJamshedpur, Jharkhand, India
Hi Shawna,
Interesting topic and to proceed further I would draw your kind attention on PMI eligibility criteria for appearing in PMP exam. With this example we understand that there is requirement of certain Hours of experience along with your qualification, which means relevant experience is important along with your knowledge. Generally with our knowledge we get width but the relevant experience gives depth in particular area . A balance mix of experience and knowledge is very important.
However in case of new endeavour, you may apply your knowledge to proceed further.
Though I value education and experience equally, I would decide based on the requirement and the stakeholders to be handled.
In your case if you are looking for PMs to execute projects in tough stakeholder environment, I would rather prefer experienced people with less education but with a pretty good learning curve.
If the clients and stakeholders are really willing to work on innovative and agile ways who can collaboratively work on day to day activities, then a well educated PM with zero or less experience can be deployed after giving him/her a few days of training or mentoring sessions with a senior PM. Saving Changes...
Melville ArueyinghoAccount Executive| Dell TechnologiesLavergne, Tn, United States
Hello Shawna,
Distinguishing between education and experience we should understand that the former provides insight while the latter represents just a practice in process. Your goals will determine what works for you; getting the job done versus recognizing your business environmental trends and risks involved and preparing for those trends and risks to insulate your business.
Also think about your projections. Are they long term of short term? If you have a short term projection, just want the job done or having your business set up then you may prefer experience. On the other hand if you are thinking long term and want to be competitive having an educated employee might be more beneficial to your business.
The challenge is finding an educated (potential) employee that did not go through the educative process in a vacuum but has the application acumen of transferring education gained to real world scenarios within the context of your business. Case studies represent compacted experience training for those with education.
Thank you! Saving Changes...
Cheikh FAYE Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Expert, CEO and owner| Eurêka TechnologiesDakar, Senegal
Absolutely agree with Sante. In the point of view of the project and in the point of view the project manager as well, it is more interesting to have an experienced employee. Strong education can always be acquired by other means in our convenience:attending classes or self learning. Saving Changes...
