Hi, I am looking for some suggestions from anyone who might have some ideas on how to switch career fields into a IT project management position. I have been a Web Developer for about 2 years before getting laid off a month after 9/11. Since then to make ends meet I have gotten stuck in a rut of Management at a Walmart.
I have my MBA, and a CIS degree. For anyone intrested to see my resume it is here Basically I am looking to hear how others transitioned into Project Management, and what steps I should be taking. Should I go get my PMP certification right away? Is there a stepping stone I should look for before a Project Managment Position. Thanks Ken Saving Changes...
Mark Price PerryBusiness Driven PMO Evangelist| BOT InternationalOrlando, Fl, United States
Dear Anonymous,
Re: Should I go get my PMP certification right away? Is there a stepping stone I should look for before a Project Managment Position?
Yes, it would be a very good idea to get your PMP. It will only add to your already good resume. In terms of stepping stones, don't be afraid to send out your resume everywhere you can as well as cold call into companies that you have identified that you would like to work for. Be unique and sell yourself into the position you want. I once received three postcards from an applicant letting me know that he would be calling into me to discuss working for our company. It was a very effective technique. Also, you might consider the importance of "networking" everywhere you can - at work, in the community, in professional venues, etc. and always maintaining and adding to your professional network of contacts; people that you have worked for, people that you have worked with, and people that have worked for you. Regrettably, the days of working for a big company with life-long employeement and career growth are long over. The reality is, you have to make your own stepping stones..!
With only 2 years as a web developer and no "real quality experience" as a project manager you'll have a very difficult getting into IT project management. However, with your degrees and cert, I'd try to land a job in the public sector first (city, state, or federal levels). I've noticed that degrees/certs play well on government jobs, that's your best shot. Also, I suggest you start attending the monthly PMI meetings in your area as well as brush up your technical skills in the hopes of landing a developer position. You do not have enough experience to sit for the PMP exam.
The main problem you have, from an IT perspective, is explaining why you stayed at Walmart so long. Despite your degrees and cert, most companies would consider your web experience dated. Another area for you to consider is becoming technical recruiter since most technical recruiters neither have degree nor prior technical experience, and you have both. If you're in the Denver area, I suggest you go up to Boulder and put an application at IBM for starters. You're young enough that you can recover from this! Saving Changes...
I agree that you need more experience to get the PMP certification, instead I would take a course on PM and get more experience in IT projects (which is fundamental to become a successful PMP).
You have an MBA and experience in the retail industry, I would suggest to find a job where IT projects are part of the business. I would recommend an IT consulting firm. Saving Changes...
I would also suggest that you go to the major job sites and search under IT with the key word "retail" and see what comes up, in this manner you're leveraging both your technical and business background. Checkout DICE.com, Monster.com, and Hotjobs.com for starters Saving Changes...
Gregory Brown PMPDirector, Enterprise Program Development| Cerner - Tiger InstituteColumbia, Mo, United States
Ken, I would look into becoming an implementation analyst or Business analyst in order to get your foot in the door. I don't know if my colleagues would agree, but in my experience I've found that many of the people who have become project managers have done so "accidentally". That "accident" has many times been accomplished by having started in positions that are closely aligned with project management. Saving Changes...
I agree with Gregory Brown, business analysis would be a good next step for you. And there's at least 2 certifications available to you, plus a some books on this topic. One book that I know of is call The Consultants Handbook. Business analysis are also called requirements or systems analysis at some companies, go to Amazon to research these offerings. As a business analysis, you leverage both your techie and business knowledge. Saving Changes...
I agree with most of the people that posted. What I would do in your situation is, I would target a few companies you would like to work for and get your foot in the door maybe not as a PM, but as Business Analyst or systems analyst. Then find a mentor and find out more about the Project Mgmt team at that company and within 1-2 years if not sooner you have a good chance at being a PM and possibly after a few yrs getting your PMP after. Your resume is very impressive, I don't see you having a problem getting back into IT. Saving Changes...
I concur with the others. Get back into IT any way you can (hopefully in a medium to large company), get a good reputation, and tell your supervisor that you're interested in Project Management. And you never know, accidents do happen. I originally became involved in project management as a Business Analyst. One day, early in the project, the PM quit and I was left to see the project to its end. I did so. The next time an opportunity came up to manage a project I had experience so I was given the task. The opportunity just tumbled my way unexpectantly. Now, some years later, I'm working for a PMO. Sometimes luck helps, but luck only happens in the right situation. Get back into IT and start talking to other PMs. Or, if you have disposable income (an increasing rarity, I know) take a class on the subject. A University/College course will count towards your PMP qualification (you need 35 hours of project management "training or education" for acceptance).
I hope this discussion helps. Good luck! Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Luck happens but you really need to be lucky...so i would suggest you take up a Diploma in Project Management instead of certification first. As certification are valuable for experienced professional….
Andree Emsley PMPIT Project Manager| Coventry Health CareAvondale, Az, United States
In response to:"Should I go get my PMP certification right away? Is there a stepping stone I should look for before a Project Managment Position. Thanks Ken"
Yes, if you qualify. Just because you want the PMP certificate does not mean you qualify. Go to www.pmi.org and read what you need to do to qualify. Good luck. Saving Changes...
