I have 5 years of experience assisting project managers with construction, non-governmental, security, Fire Alarm and Electrical projects. Also have a BSc in Botany and MSc in Nematolgy. I am sitting in for the PMP in May 2017. However, my background in Nematology does not provide me with many challenging job opportunities as the specialization is very unpopular. In addition, I live in a region where agriculture is not practiced. I will like to gain new skills to compliment my PMP. Now I see most Project Manager jobs requiring some Business Administration skills. Should I take an MBA? Should I enroll for an environmental degree? If I just enrol for a university certificate in Project Management will this be enough? Really at a cross road and need help Saving Changes...
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Edward DanielsProject Manager| IndependentGlen Burnie, Md, United States
Hi Nazaria,
If i were in your shoes, i would look around at available jobs that interest me and attempt to get into one of them before any major decision. Having more education is not necessarily a good thing, and an MBA may cost too much especially when you have not clearly defined what you want to do. If you are sitting for the exam in May 2017, i think you must have the 35 pdu's required. Get a job and let opportunities lead you to your future rather than just getting certifications and more education. Saving Changes...
Edward thank you for your prompt response. I really really appreciate it. Yes I took the 35 hours required to sit for the PMP. I work as an administrative assistant at the moment and although the role is mainly project related, I am limited to creating projects and assisting with financial management while performing other admin roles. I will like to get roles in which I can be more involved but my applications seem to yield no results thus my reason for considering more education and I agree with you that it is expensive. But Edward, if I can afford a grant to cover the cost of education, what will you advice me to do please?
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1 reply by Edward Daniels
Mar 23, 2017 1:03 PM
Edward Daniels
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Grant is always a good thing, if you can get it. However, I would say consider changing jobs to see if you can get additional responsibilities. What you are doing now is quite important, you just need to do more for varied experience. In the past, I have volunteered in other areas of my organization to get more relevant experience. You didn't specify if there is room for growth with your current employer, if there is, it is always a good bet to start there before changing jobs. I think volunteer first for more related experience, continue the path towards certification and relevant education as long as it doesn't break the bank. Consider that at some point in the future, you may need to job hop to get more experience and higher compensation. I always advice about becoming a consultant with any of the consulting companies around, you will get moved from project to project and it will get you where you need to be a little faster.
Saving Changes...
Edward DanielsProject Manager| IndependentGlen Burnie, Md, United States
Mar 23, 2017 12:11 PM
Replying to Nazaria Ngoinmenang Yong
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Edward thank you for your prompt response. I really really appreciate it. Yes I took the 35 hours required to sit for the PMP. I work as an administrative assistant at the moment and although the role is mainly project related, I am limited to creating projects and assisting with financial management while performing other admin roles. I will like to get roles in which I can be more involved but my applications seem to yield no results thus my reason for considering more education and I agree with you that it is expensive. But Edward, if I can afford a grant to cover the cost of education, what will you advice me to do please?
Grant is always a good thing, if you can get it. However, I would say consider changing jobs to see if you can get additional responsibilities. What you are doing now is quite important, you just need to do more for varied experience. In the past, I have volunteered in other areas of my organization to get more relevant experience. You didn't specify if there is room for growth with your current employer, if there is, it is always a good bet to start there before changing jobs. I think volunteer first for more related experience, continue the path towards certification and relevant education as long as it doesn't break the bank. Consider that at some point in the future, you may need to job hop to get more experience and higher compensation. I always advice about becoming a consultant with any of the consulting companies around, you will get moved from project to project and it will get you where you need to be a little faster. Saving Changes...
That makes sense to me Edward. I will definitely talk with my manager about volunteering as a first step and go on from there. I know there is room for growth and education grants but only after working for the company for a given time period and with a condition to work for the company after completion for about 3 years. Your options really do make sense. Saving Changes...
