I am 23 years old and just starting out in the field. I am currently studying for my CAPM. I have some overall questions about my career though:
In the grand scheme of my career, would I take my PMP after my Masters Program? Do people usually do one or the other? I intend to have PM be my full career, and I fully plan on doing both, as it seems that would be the best move to do the best for myself career-wise, but I'd like to make sure that's the right move here since I am new to the field. Cheers and thanks to everyone for all the help! Saving Changes...
NAVANEETHA KRISHNAN BALRAJManager Project Management Office| Saxon InfotechNew Market, MD, United States
Hi Adam - In my opinion, PMP does more to your career than a Masters Program. If you are intending to do Masters, I would recommend you to do something in Technical field...like Software Programming, Data Analytics, Cyber Security. PMP combined with Masters in Technical subject will give you good career growth. Hope this helps!
...
1 reply by Adam Brand
Dec 05, 2020 11:38 AM
Adam Brand
...
Got it, thank you for your reply. I see now that having both are not necessary, but rather choosing a technical field and then getting a PMP in it is the way to get to the top of the field. I really appreciate your input. Can I choose any technical field to do it in, or is there a set limit to engineering/construction and business fields?
For a practicing PM (vs. a researcher or academic), the PMP will likely be more useful in landing a role. A Masters degree is a much greater achievement but is unlikely to be immediately helpful, especially if it makes you appear "over qualified" book-wise with insufficient experience.
Kiron
...
2 replies by Adam Brand and Kiron Bondale
Dec 05, 2020 11:41 AM
Adam Brand
...
Hi Kiron,
Thank you for the reply. What are research and academic PM's? I do agree that experience is more important. It sounds like the better path is to get experience in a role and then get a PMP on top of it. Have a great weekend!
Dec 07, 2020 8:43 AM
Kiron Bondale
...
What I meant, Adam, is folks who wish to focus on a career in academia pushing the research boundaries of project management. For those, a Masters or a PhD would be an asset.
I only know one person who had a Masters in PM. And they didn't use it. Instead I would recommend an advanced degree in another subject matter (engineering, construction management, software, MBA, etc.) then like Navaneetha said put a PMP certification on top of that. But don't forget that the PMP certification requires an amount of time actually managing projects which have to be documented as part of your application - not just an academic degree and/or passing a test like some other certifications. Saving Changes...
Early career, I would say that a masters in a technical specialty is more valuable. That will help get you into the jobs where companies are developing new things, which are also where many leadership opportunities are found. You will also have a prime domain with detailed knowledge that will serve you well managing technical projects.
If you decide to change directions in your career from what you decided at 23 (many of us do), an MS opens many doors. I know people who have transitioned to medicine and law from having those educational per-requisites.
Masters in technical fields often include courses in PM because many of those students end up managing. By the time you earn your MS (3 years for most while working full time), getting a PMP mostly requires taking an exam and filing the paperwork. You will likely have the course work and experience already.
...
2 replies by Adam Brand and Udo Bechmann
Dec 05, 2020 12:09 PM
Adam Brand
...
Hi Keith,
Thank you so much for the detailed response. Everything you wrote makes a lot of sense. It doesn't make sense to have an abundance of project management experience and no technical specialty because then it means I can't actually manage something. Getting an MS in a technical field does make the most sense, and maybe if I'm super established in my career later on, it could maybe make sense to get an MS in PM just as a boost. Also, there is a chance I could switch my career later in life to something else. Are there PMs in the law and medical field as well?
Thank you again so much for your response, I really appreciate it.
Dec 13, 2020 3:46 PM
Udo Bechmann
...
Hi Keith,
I completely agree with you here, a master in a technical field is a door opener in many companies here in Germany. Then you have to gain work experience- Next step: project management
Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
The point is what is your objective. Both are totally different things. In my case I decide to get a certification based on my own estimations about future market demands. But if you are talking about a master on project management in my personal I am very critical that there is any justification to have a master in project management. To have a master on business administration is most valuable in my opinion. My last thought: organizations do not hire people because the amount of academic titles or certifications. They hire people because the practical experience they have.
...
2 replies by Adam Brand and Sergio Luis Conte
Dec 05, 2020 12:27 PM
Adam Brand
...
Hi Sergio,
I agree with what you're saying. After reading other replies as well it seems clear that a masters in PM isn't that useful. I guess it comes down to finding out what technical field I would like to do now. How come you believe business administration is the most valuable?
Thanks again for taking the time to reply.
Dec 07, 2020 6:47 AM
Sergio Luis Conte
...
With our work we are helping organizations to create solutions to their problems. Two critical roles will work on that: business analysts and project managers. An MBA help to cover both roles. On the other side, I am talking about a generalist MBA not a specialized ones. What I mean an MBA gives all the tools to create solutions from start (idea formulation) to end (idea implementation and monitoring). The key is, in my personal opinion, your decision about you like to work at strategical level or you like to work at tactical level or you like to work switching both from one initiative to another.
Hi Adam - In my opinion, PMP does more to your career than a Masters Program. If you are intending to do Masters, I would recommend you to do something in Technical field...like Software Programming, Data Analytics, Cyber Security. PMP combined with Masters in Technical subject will give you good career growth. Hope this helps!
Got it, thank you for your reply. I see now that having both are not necessary, but rather choosing a technical field and then getting a PMP in it is the way to get to the top of the field. I really appreciate your input. Can I choose any technical field to do it in, or is there a set limit to engineering/construction and business fields? Saving Changes...
For a practicing PM (vs. a researcher or academic), the PMP will likely be more useful in landing a role. A Masters degree is a much greater achievement but is unlikely to be immediately helpful, especially if it makes you appear "over qualified" book-wise with insufficient experience.
Kiron
Hi Kiron,
Thank you for the reply. What are research and academic PM's? I do agree that experience is more important. It sounds like the better path is to get experience in a role and then get a PMP on top of it. Have a great weekend! Saving Changes...
Early career, I would say that a masters in a technical specialty is more valuable. That will help get you into the jobs where companies are developing new things, which are also where many leadership opportunities are found. You will also have a prime domain with detailed knowledge that will serve you well managing technical projects.
If you decide to change directions in your career from what you decided at 23 (many of us do), an MS opens many doors. I know people who have transitioned to medicine and law from having those educational per-requisites.
Masters in technical fields often include courses in PM because many of those students end up managing. By the time you earn your MS (3 years for most while working full time), getting a PMP mostly requires taking an exam and filing the paperwork. You will likely have the course work and experience already.
Hi Keith,
Thank you so much for the detailed response. Everything you wrote makes a lot of sense. It doesn't make sense to have an abundance of project management experience and no technical specialty because then it means I can't actually manage something. Getting an MS in a technical field does make the most sense, and maybe if I'm super established in my career later on, it could maybe make sense to get an MS in PM just as a boost. Also, there is a chance I could switch my career later in life to something else. Are there PMs in the law and medical field as well?
Thank you again so much for your response, I really appreciate it. Saving Changes...
That seems like the consensus here. It makes sense that I would get a degree in a tecehnical field and then use the PMP to move up from there. Thanks for the help! Saving Changes...
The point is what is your objective. Both are totally different things. In my case I decide to get a certification based on my own estimations about future market demands. But if you are talking about a master on project management in my personal I am very critical that there is any justification to have a master in project management. To have a master on business administration is most valuable in my opinion. My last thought: organizations do not hire people because the amount of academic titles or certifications. They hire people because the practical experience they have.
Hi Sergio,
I agree with what you're saying. After reading other replies as well it seems clear that a masters in PM isn't that useful. I guess it comes down to finding out what technical field I would like to do now. How come you believe business administration is the most valuable?
Thanks again for taking the time to reply. Saving Changes...
