William BecklerSoftware Developer| UPSGlen Burnie, Md, United States
This might be too general of a question, so if you need any more information just let me know.
I graduated with a BA in Software Engineering, and am currently working as a Software Developer in Georgia. The only project managing experience I have is filling in for PMs when they were unavailable to talk to customers for my portion of the project. Now, after many hours of contemplating and research, I am looking to dive into a Project Management career and relocate to the Baltimore, MD area.
My question is: what are the steps one should take when trying to quickly get into Project Management without prior experience or education in the field? I'm thinking about obtaining CAPM, SCM, and/or ITIL certification, but not sure how necessary each one is due to mixed reviews. My plan was to get certified and then start searching for jobs while maybe taking some volunteer work. Is this a sound plan? Or do you have any suggestions to improve my chances? What would you recommend? Also, how important is it to know Microsoft Project?
Thanks for taking the time to read and answer! I really appreciate receiving advice from professionals already in the field! Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Hi William,
In project management specifically there is no "Quick Way" if you do not have the right experience, and if you take any certification like CAPM, it will increase your knowledge but as you are aware, practical experience is totally different.
In my humble opinion, starting as a Project Coordinator is the best first step.
Good Luck.
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1 reply by William Beckler
Aug 10, 2017 1:14 PM
William Beckler
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Rami: You are completely correct. The problem is finding an opportunity to develop my practical experience. I will follow your advice by obtaining a CAPM and searching for a Project Coordinator position.
My colleague recently published an article on starting a PM career you may find helpful - http://bit.ly/2sTArTK. She explores essential soft and hard skills, mentorship, and as mentioned above, the importance of practical experience. Good luck with your new career!
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1 reply by William Beckler
Aug 10, 2017 1:16 PM
William Beckler
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Grace: Thanks for linking the article! I gave it a read and it was very helpful.
Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Certifications will not make you a project manager. Question is: why do you want to start as project manager? If you are good on your field be "the best" in your niche. The first thing you must do is to clear understand what a project manager is. In fact, each person in this world performs project management from the time she/he wake up to the time she/he go to bed.The grade of formality is different when you have to apply it in your work place. Remember: "in an hierarchy people tend to rise to "their level of incompetence.". And this is a clasic in software (I am PH.D. in Software Engineering and I have more than 30 years working in practice and research on the field). So, think about your strategy to achieve your very basic objectives that will be survive, growth and develop. After that, make a plan. That is project management too.
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1 reply by William Beckler
Aug 10, 2017 1:16 PM
William Beckler
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Sergio: Yes, the Peter Principle, you are correct. I understand project management spans not just at work, but in our personal lives as well. My plan will be to study the PMBOK and work towards the CAPM to give myself a better understanding of project management. Then search for an entry level PM position for practical experience and climb from there by proving my level of competence.
Saving Changes...
William BecklerSoftware Developer| UPSGlen Burnie, Md, United States
Aug 10, 2017 2:25 AM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
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Hi William,
In project management specifically there is no "Quick Way" if you do not have the right experience, and if you take any certification like CAPM, it will increase your knowledge but as you are aware, practical experience is totally different.
In my humble opinion, starting as a Project Coordinator is the best first step.
Good Luck.
Rami: You are completely correct. The problem is finding an opportunity to develop my practical experience. I will follow your advice by obtaining a CAPM and searching for a Project Coordinator position. Saving Changes...
William BecklerSoftware Developer| UPSGlen Burnie, Md, United States
Aug 10, 2017 3:38 AM
Replying to Grace Windsor
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Hi William,
My colleague recently published an article on starting a PM career you may find helpful - http://bit.ly/2sTArTK. She explores essential soft and hard skills, mentorship, and as mentioned above, the importance of practical experience. Good luck with your new career!
Grace: Thanks for linking the article! I gave it a read and it was very helpful. Saving Changes...
William BecklerSoftware Developer| UPSGlen Burnie, Md, United States
Aug 10, 2017 7:50 AM
Replying to Sergio Luis Conte
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Certifications will not make you a project manager. Question is: why do you want to start as project manager? If you are good on your field be "the best" in your niche. The first thing you must do is to clear understand what a project manager is. In fact, each person in this world performs project management from the time she/he wake up to the time she/he go to bed.The grade of formality is different when you have to apply it in your work place. Remember: "in an hierarchy people tend to rise to "their level of incompetence.". And this is a clasic in software (I am PH.D. in Software Engineering and I have more than 30 years working in practice and research on the field). So, think about your strategy to achieve your very basic objectives that will be survive, growth and develop. After that, make a plan. That is project management too.
Sergio: Yes, the Peter Principle, you are correct. I understand project management spans not just at work, but in our personal lives as well. My plan will be to study the PMBOK and work towards the CAPM to give myself a better understanding of project management. Then search for an entry level PM position for practical experience and climb from there by proving my level of competence. Saving Changes...
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