I read a few posts on MSc. In project management, everyone seems to have solid inputs, and it's very situational dependent. Therefore, I want to run this through some of my fellow PM’s. I have been a PM for about five years now. I have my P.Eng., PMP and MBA. Even though I have solid work experience and education, I still feel it is not enough to be a great PM. I am looking to expand my knowledge by doing an MSc. In project management. As a PM, I deal with such a varied range of issues, which leads to the more education and tools I have, the higher chance I would succeed in my job. With the online education systems, there are so many opportunities to expand my knowledge with minimal sacrifices in my life or job. What are your thoughts on an MSc. In PM to broaden my knowledge and add more tools under my belt? Will it just be a waste of time considering I have an MBA already. Saving Changes...
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Aditi BhallaProduct owner| Human Health ProjectMadison, Wi, United States
For me increasing your skills and knowledge at any point of time in your career is not at all bad. Of Course, demand in the market goes with experience and knowledge both.. But it depends upon how much time you are ready to give..
But personally, if I will be choosing I will taking the certifications on particular skills which are hot in the market and easy to do with respect to time I can give.
But yes Choice is always yours.?? Saving Changes...
I started an MSc in Project Management 2 years ago and hope to complete middle of next year(all online). The benefits I have gained is further cementing my knowledge and confidence in the area of project management and growing from the the various discussions with fellow Project managers across the globe. If you have the time and want to fully pursue Project management as a career I would recommended it to add to your tool box. It also gives you the confidence to communicate how important project management is where in most companies they see it as an admin overhead. PMP also provides a very good basis to support you excel in the MSc so it all depends on the time you have available. All the best reach out if you need any further information happy to help Saving Changes...
There are arguments for and against what you are asking about, and they mostly depend on the circumstances you find or place yourself in. In general, a degree won't make you a better project manager than having a PMP will. But, the process of learning new things might help improve your critical thinking abilities or introduce you to new topics you didn't know, before.
However, degree programs aren't always forward thinking. You might not learn new tools or ways of thinking; classes may just reinforce information that is readily available through other sources at a lower price. Take a close look at the curricula before committing. Are there cheaper options to gain the desired knowledge?
You should also learn what you can about the staff/teachers. Are they full-time academics with little practical experience, adjuncts working in the field but not much more experience than you, or do they have a good mix of practical experience and academic knowledge?
Having a second master's degree could be a help or hindrance. Some hiring managers might see it as a negative, but I have seen companies where almost all of the salaried employees have at least one advanced degree.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. Hone your craft and improve your skills but maybe consider doing it in a targeted manner. Where do you feel your gaps are? Is there a degree program that will help you fill those gaps? Are there other more flexible, cheaper, targeted options? Saving Changes...
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