I am a young professional interested in furthering my career, knowledge of this exciting field as well as increasing my resume with some academic accreditation.
Some background.
I completed my Bachelor degree in Information Systems and also did my post-graduate Honours degree in Information Systems, whilst being exposed to Project Management.
Here are my questions on which I would love some answers:
In order to advance in the PM field and career, what would help more -
1. A post-graduate diploma from a Business School, or certification like Prince2, PMP and PMBOK?
2. Just the certifications? As I do know PMP cert for example is kind of a pre-requisite when applying for certain roles.
3. Is the Post graduate diploma in Project Management from a Business School worth it? Does it hold any value in the real world? Is it worth the time one would invest in it.
If I would answer the question I would say both. Do the diploma [2 years part time] and also do the certifications whilst one is at it. The more the merrier as they say.
I am definitely am considering a few certifications but am wondering if a 2 year diploma would help - if it is worth the money and time.
Any advice or opinion would be highly appreciated. Saving Changes...
You mention being a "young professional", but you don't tell us how many years you've been working in the field. Remember, you need at least three years of work experience before you qualify to take the PMP exam. PRINCE2 doesn't state that requirement explicitly, so you could technically take the exam fresh out of school, but I advise against it: it will make a lot more sense if you can put the questions in a context you're already familiar with.
As for a post-grad program, there has been a bit of a controversy lately about whether MBAs really deliver the value they're famed for. I'm of the opinion that an MBA won't dramaticly increase your skills, but will give you access to a more or less wide network of alumni, depending on the school you go to. It's up to you to decide if that network is worth the investment.
As a side note, people who finish their BSc or MSc only to jump on the MBA bandwagon have very little credibility in the workplpace, at least where I'm from. It is expected that you need at least a couple of years of experience before going for a post-grad, if only to amass some of the funds required to pay for it. Saving Changes...
Elizabeth HarrinDirector| RebelsGuideToPM.comLondon, England, United Kingdom
I agree with Julien. A business school qualification isn't rated (in my experience) unless it comes hand in hand with some real life experience. In other words, if you don't have much workplace experience, an MBA or diploma isn't going to get you in the door. Better to get a job for a few years and then do that kind of qualification.
Julien is also right about PMP and PRINCE2. You could take PRINCE2 with no experience but it would make very little sense! However, if you've worked on some projects then you could give that a go, if only because it is easier to get than PMP.
But I think the most important thing to do is to check some job adverts in the market you hope to work in. No point taking PRINCE2 if you hope to work in the U.S. If all the job ads ask for an MBA, you have your answer. I expect you'll find a mix of requirements, so what you ultimately do will depend on the time and money you have. Saving Changes...
Thank you for a detailed reply, which does make sense.
I am a few months shy of working 2 years full-time.
I am learning a lot at my current company and managing a lot of projects. This company is expanding tremendously.
Hence my reasoning why I want to add a few more certifications to my CV and knowledge bank as quickly as possible. This is to strengthen myself and use the time that I have available this year in a good way.
I was considering the post-grad part-time diploma at the business school as I thought that might help a lot knowledge and networking wise - AND of-course that it would look attractive on my CV.
I do plan to do my MBA in 3 years, by then I would have 5 years work experience which goes well hand in hand. The idea was to get as much relevant certificates and experience in the meanwhile to build up a proper foundation in the Project Management area - things that would help the most.
I do have a fair amount of Project Management experience since my varsity days, but still need to fine tune it [hence the diploma looked attractive].
Elizabeth, most job adverts that I have seen require 2 things: a degree + experience and Prince2 or PMP certifications.
I am not yet eligable for the PMP, which is unfortunate.
I do however feel that the Diploma in PM would teach me a lot [proper basics and networking opportunities] but would not be worth the 2 years of studying and the hefty price [I wouldn't have thought twice if it was the MBA]. Lastly, I do wonder if time invested would be worth it, as when you apply for a job they prefer having relevant certificates with job experience.
Lastly, I thought when pumping my CV with part-time accreditations it would sort of make up for a lack of work experience when I apply for certain jobs.
Bottom line, I am unsure what the best would be for my career.
Funding of the certifications is not a problem and I do have the time.
I am just wondering what the best combo's would be until I do my MBA.
Certifications, and later the MBA [what I am thinking of doing]. I am a bit unsure what the best would be... Saving Changes...
Elizabeth HarrinDirector| RebelsGuideToPM.comLondon, England, United Kingdom
Of the options open to you, PRINCE2 will be the cheapest and easiest to do. As you said job adverts don't ask for a Diploma, I don't think that is worth investing in unless you feel that it will improve your own confidence and skills (and I would argue that you could perhaps do this through another route - reading, getting a mentor etc).
In the end, no one else can choose what is best for you and where you want to be in the future, so good luck with the decision. Saving Changes...
