Madhu MareddyTexas A&M UniversityArlington, Va, United States
Hi,
I am doing Masters in Management Information Systems at Texas A&M. Before starting graduate school, I worked in IT as Engineer on Business Intelligence and Database Admin projects. Will CAPM help me get in to PM roles post graduation? I do not have experience in any PM work so far...
I just started with HeadFirst PMP and I'm really confused if CAPM is right for me or not. Please comment.
Madhu,
CAPM is entry level. If you do PMP, you can get right into PM work. Saving Changes...
Madhu MareddyTexas A&M UniversityArlington, Va, United States
Randy,
Thank you for the response. I do not have any PM experience at all to qualify for PMP exam. But I really want to show prospective employer that I'm interested in PM roles. Will having the CAPM help me achieve that? What are entry-level roles in Project Management profession?
Thanks,
Madhu Saving Changes...
Taralyn Frasqueri-MolinaSenior Project Manager| Independent ContractorPasadena, Ca, United States
I recommend going for the CAPM, but first - no credential is going to guarantee you work after graduation. Credentials will beef up a resume, but they will not guarantee you a job.
If you have no PM experience, then obviously attempting the PMP won't work. You need to have thousands of hours of leading and managing projects to start to qualify for that.
I think, if you want to show employers you are serious about increasing your project management knowledge and that you are committed to the field of PM, you go for the CAPM. It's junior level for a reason, because most folks don't come equipped with thousands of hours of PM experience and they have to start somewhere.
Here are a couple old posting of mine on just this topic:
Elizabeth HarrinDirector| RebelsGuideToPM.comLondon, England, United Kingdom
A qualification shows you are interested in PM jobs, but you can show an employer that you are interested in PM jobs without the expense of a qualification. Could you get involved in some project work? I would imagine that your Masters course involves project work or working in small groups and that could be something to highlight on your job applications once you graduate. Or could you volunteer for a project? It doesn't have to be work-related, it just has to show employers that you can put your skills into practice. As Taralyn says, a credential won't automatically get you a job, and experience won't either, but both together will give you more of a chance over someone with neither. Saving Changes...
Madhu MareddyTexas A&M UniversityArlington, Va, United States
Thank you Taralyn and Elizabeth. I've decided to get CAPM. I'm trying to find an internship next summer and also get involved with PMO on my campus. Thanks again!! Saving Changes...
