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...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Dec 05, 2020 4:41 AM
Replying to Sergio Luis Conte
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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.
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. 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
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.
Since you stated PM is your dedicate career move, you will really want to go for PM certifications like the PMP, PMI-ACP, etc. These types of certifications demonstrate your commitment to the profession and will have an immediate & direct impact your work and on your career.
As you mature you can go back and get a masters (not sure if you're thinking a masters in PM or an MBA or something else). The masters degree expands your leadership and knowledge in and around business in general; it really gets into broader implications & outcomes. It's not to say you can't be PM w/a masters and not have the PMP, my perception of that type of person is they're more inclined to be "less detailed", but I'm biased in that thought to be honest.
If you did not indicate the PM role was going to be a full career move then I'd say "what's relevant now", but for you...PMP Cert first, Masters second as you gain experience in "the business".
I have a master degree in PM and in my working and interaction within PM fraternity, I have met very few people who have a masters degree in PM. I do meet PMP everywhere, more than a dozen work in my organisation. Most people in working project management, even on higher positions, e.g. Portfolio Managers / Program Managers doesn't have either of the mentioned qualification/certifications, 'experience' counts more. As from my experience, a masters degree can provide you a much more detailed information in the field, however it is more challenging, time consuming and requires bigger commitment. It has a bigger scope and detailed oriented but time and cost will be bigger than PMP. If the question is; will the masters degree help you land a better job? from my experience, the answer will be 'no', it will not. In my class 95% of the students were already working in the PM field and had years of experience. Some had experience of more than 30 years and they had prior qualifications in Engineering, construction and technological field. Saving Changes...
Ricky SelinAssociate Director of Construction Management| Texas Department of Public SafetyTaylor, Tx, United States
I obtained both a master's in Project Management and a PMP. I did my master's first and didn't follow through with getting my PMP immediately and waited 6 years to do so. I've held my PMP for over 6 years now and it has done more for my career than the degree did. Many positions I've held over this time required a PMP while only a bachelor's degree was necessary. 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,
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...
Unless you plan to go to school full-time for the masters, I'd say do the PMP as soon as you qualify to do it (especially if that's before).
I did my MBA first for a combo of reasons - mostly boiling down to time and the economy downturn of 2009. I graduated with my MBA in 2012 and got my PMP in 2017. It really comes down to what works best for you with your experience, time and where you are in your career in terms of order. Saving Changes...
Also adding on to say, the benefit of the degree will also be dependent on what your undergrad is. For me my undergrad was a BS Biology and I worked in a lab and then briefly in clinical research before starting my MBA program so it did help me but it's subjective.
Based on project manager job postings if you have to pick one a PMP is always going to be higher on the list of requirements than a masters degree unless the position is extremely technical. Saving Changes...
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