I was hoping someone could supply me with tips on how someone with no previous Project Management experience could break into the field. I do have past IT experience however. Any information you could supply me with would be appreciated. Saving Changes...
I think there are a couple of approaches that you could take.
1) Take classes. There are many PM programs, and having a certification and/or degree is helpful (especially from the resume standpoint.
2) Get involved in a project. Maybe managing a small project, or support the manager on a large project. Also, if you have a PMO in your company, that's a place to get some experience as well.
I think some advice that I once received from J. Davidson Frame (author of 'The New Project Management') may be useful to you: Get involved in the Project Management Institute (PMI).
He meant to not only join, but to become active in the 'happenings' at your local chapter or in a Specific Interest Group (SIG). I took his advice, and I can tell you, because of the contacts I have made in PMI, I will never again be in fear of not having a job. PMI will enable you to gain more knowledge of the industry while getting to know those who are already working in it.
I would make you aware of a newly-formed Specific Interest Group called the 'Students of PM SIG', which was established for people exactly like you: those new to the field that want to learn more and find out how they break into the field.
One of the unique activities of this SIG is it's Project Management Mentoring program, which will bring together seasoned veterans of the industry and entry-level project managers.
For more information on PMI, check out their website at www.pmi.org.
For more information on the Students of PM SIG, go to www.StudentsofPM.org or see the attached file. Saving Changes...
New user ... how do I follow discussion threads. For example, under a Posters name it sez "9 posts". What does that mean. 9 posts to the original? Or that person has posted 9 times? Thanks Saving Changes...
Mark KrobDirector of Operations| ProjectManagement.comReston, VA, United States
Corey - The number of posts under the name is the number of postings by that person. At the top of the pages on gantthead there are links that show you where you are in the site and can take you back up levels. When you are in a discussion such as this, the links will be to 'home'(gantthead home), 'discussions' (the main discussions page with a list of all of the discussions), the name of the particular discussion, in this case 'project management central' (the main page for a particular discussion showing a detailed list of all the threads) and the thread, in this case 'entry-level project management'. To follow a thread simply go to the main page for any discussion, select the thread your interested in and that thread will show up on your screen from original post at the top on down the page to the most recent post. I hope that helps!
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Anonymous
I was hoping someone could help me with info on how someone with minimum Project Management experience could break into the field. I do have some IT experience in healthcare industry. I also worked as a registered nurse in a hospital for 11 yrs before trasferring to IT. Any information would be appreciated. Saving Changes...
Their are some courses lumped into a program offered through Universities called "Masters Certificate in Project Management".
These courses cover all the basics and gives you a good foundation to expand on and eventually work towards your PMP certification. Saving Changes...
MAEN QADDOURAHProject Director| AJ SAUDIJeddah, Saudi Arabia
it is better to take some specialized courses. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
You can also try managing "projects" outside of work. For example, event management is a type of project management. In the theatre world, stage management would also qualify as project management.
There is more in common between these projects that there are differences. Saving Changes...
I noticed this post started 15 years ago. It would be interesting to know what career path did Mr. Dixon take since and if he ever joined the PMI community. Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Can also get involved in projects promoted by the chapters Saving Changes...
"Technology is a gift of God. After the gift of life it is perhaps the greatest of God's gifts. It is the mother of civilizations, of arts and of sciences."
