As the title says, I am transitioning from the military to civilian life in the next 1.5 years. I'm still trying to figure out what I would like to do but heavily leaning towards program management. The problem I'm having is trying to figure out what certifications to get. I've completed by Green Belt certificate (not certification yet) and have been told PMP is great to get. But there are so many out there... I want to learn more and bolster my resume but don't want to waste time and money if a certification is not going to make me a better program manager or make me more marketable. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to start? Saving Changes...
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace CorpsYaounde, Centre, Cameroon
You heard it correctly! PMP is great to get.. go for it Mike
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1 reply by Mike Little
Sep 30, 2021 9:38 AM
Mike Little
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When getting this certification is it worth it getting a certificate first from a school like Cornell? Does it make you any more marketable than just passing the exam and getting your certification?
You heard it correctly! PMP is great to get.. go for it Mike
When getting this certification is it worth it getting a certificate first from a school like Cornell? Does it make you any more marketable than just passing the exam and getting your certification? Saving Changes...
A certificate only requires coursework. A PMP certification requires experience so it is more than just passing the exam. I used courses as part of a university program to meet my educational requirements, and career history for the experience requirement.
I do know that some HR screening processes look for certifications as a minimum requirement.
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1 reply by Mike Little
Oct 05, 2021 12:15 PM
Mike Little
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I've had a lot of varied experience over my career and am going to pursue the PMP to start. I'm sure I can study and pass the test...at some point...but I want to actually learn something that I'm going to apply in my future career rather than just checking boxes. Are there any suggestions as far as taking courses?
A certificate only requires coursework. A PMP certification requires experience so it is more than just passing the exam. I used courses as part of a university program to meet my educational requirements, and career history for the experience requirement.
I do know that some HR screening processes look for certifications as a minimum requirement.
I've had a lot of varied experience over my career and am going to pursue the PMP to start. I'm sure I can study and pass the test...at some point...but I want to actually learn something that I'm going to apply in my future career rather than just checking boxes. Are there any suggestions as far as taking courses?
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1 reply by Hector Ojeda
Oct 05, 2021 12:34 PM
Hector Ojeda
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The main advantage of a PMP course is learning how to study for the exam. The PMI exam has a particular way of asking questions and one of the Bootcamp courses would be good for that. The PMP exam is not one of those (although some people have done it) where you pick up the book, read it stem to stern, and are ready for the exam.
Saving Changes...
Hector OjedaProject ManagerTampa Bay Area, FL, United States
Mike, before you start going down the certification rabbit hole, I would advise you to first figure out what EXACTLY you want to do. 18 months sounds like plenty of time, but it is not. Every day from now until your last day counts so putting time towards a certification you may not need will be a great waste of your time.
A few questions for you:
1) Do you know what project management is/consists of in the civilian sector?
2) Do you know what program management is/consists of in the civilian sector?
3) Have you reached out to project or program mangers in the civilian sector and asked them what they do?
Network, network, network. Call people up and pick their brains. Good luck with your next 2 years! Saving Changes...
Hector OjedaProject ManagerTampa Bay Area, FL, United States
Oct 05, 2021 12:15 PM
Replying to Mike Little
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I've had a lot of varied experience over my career and am going to pursue the PMP to start. I'm sure I can study and pass the test...at some point...but I want to actually learn something that I'm going to apply in my future career rather than just checking boxes. Are there any suggestions as far as taking courses?
The main advantage of a PMP course is learning how to study for the exam. The PMI exam has a particular way of asking questions and one of the Bootcamp courses would be good for that. The PMP exam is not one of those (although some people have done it) where you pick up the book, read it stem to stern, and are ready for the exam. Saving Changes...
I did much the same path where I had many years of experience before getting the certification.
There are some very good online programs at universities for working professionals. I earned my MS ifrom Missouri S&T which was about 1/2 engineering and 1/2 business school classes, and I constantly get emails from USC Viterbi. At Miss. you can enroll in a certificate program without taking the GRE and transition to a masters after if you choose and it's been many years since I sat for an exam like that.
The virtual options are very expensive so bonus if your employer pays for them. On the other hand, we had one classmate taking the classes off hours while on deployment since the virtual option provides recorded videos of the live classes. Otherwise they are real-time, not go at your own pace.
As for courses, you probably won't learn much new from a general PM course if you have experience. You'll see much of what you have done, but a slightly different way and often using different terms than where you actually practiced it. They really only have time to skim the surface in those.
I found a course in case studies was excellent for in-depth thinking about many different types of project domains. It helps develop a generalist mindframe rather than focusing as a specialist in one technical domain. It can help translate your experience into broader theory.
Other courses will provide a lot of depth in one or more PM technical skills. I took a 6 sigma black belt course which was really interesting but I rarely have an opportunity to use it. From a spreadsheet modeling course, I learned a lot about lifecycle cost estimations and developed far better than average skills in Excel.
It really depends on whether you want to check the box for the certification, or use the opportunity to deep dive a new subject to grow your skills. Saving Changes...
Other than the PMP which has achieved global recognition among hiring managers and recruiters and which can be a barrier to being considered for a role if you DON'T have it, there are no other PgM/PM-specific designations which have attained the same mindshare. This is not to say that a particular company or hiring manager wouldn't be impressed by a PgMP or other credential, but it is likely to be hit or miss.
No credential will help to broaden your knowledge base if you have sufficient depth and breadth of delivery experience. A non-credential course may as there would likely be some hands-on exercises to help you practice what you've learned.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Darren PaladinoEngagement Director| SalesforceDenver, Co, United States
@Michael Step #1 is to figure out what you would like to do as Michael 2.0, and then what qualifications are important. For me, PMP and then certain SAAS credentials fit my career as a consultant for public sector. That will not fit for everybody. With only 18 months left in the military, budgeting time carefully and avoiding a program you don't need is a must. Send me a note on LinkedIn and we can sync up. I can share my lessons and unknowns in this transition process. R/ Darren
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1 reply by Mike Little
Oct 19, 2021 1:26 PM
Mike Little
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Lots of good guidance.. I very much appreciate it. I have only briefly talked with a co-worker about what he does. I'll have to ask to shadow him from time to time just to see exactly what he does. As far as checking boxes... I've done that my entire military career it seems. I would really love to learn something that will help me once I leave the military.
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