I have a varied background (wireless sales, software support, customer relations, teaching) and I am trying to get into project management in Denver. Would a PM assistant job be the best place for me to start?
Don't get all hung up on the years or certification thing because neither one shows what's in your heart. Someone with 10 years of experience may only have 2 years of experience 5 times in a row, and someone with certification may lack practical experience. If it's in your heart though, and you?re passionate, you will have what it takes to succeed.
As far as certification, I took a Project Management Certification test at Brainbench.com a few years ago and have the certificate at home. I have never said that I have my PMP, but I can say "Yes" if an interviewer asks if I'm certified. My knowledge and local reputation within the IT community has so much depth that folks don't dig deeper. If they did, I would fully disclose the nature of the certification and probably still get the gig, but it has just never come up. Any way, this may be an alternative for you to get something in hand to help you get started. This combined with registration with PMI to take the (REAL) test down the road shows that your serious about moving forward with your PM career too.
I also encourage you to invest in a copy of the PMBOK and learn it! Also, if your going to go into the field as an assistant PM, make sure that the person you are working with can give you the "pearls of wisdom" that you need (make sure you can respect them).
Finally, if I were you, I would try getting a contracting gig with TEK systems or one of the other contracting houses. You could set your rates in the 20 / 30 buck an hour range and sell your self as a go-getter.
You are posting anonymously because you don't have the guts to put your name on your posting while attacking someone else on this forum...END OF STORY. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
I told Anne to go with what is in her heart to help Anne. Your words are hostile, unfounded, and unhelpful to ANY reader. This is a project management forum isn't it? Gosh get to work dude you have an idle mind! Saving Changes...
I have justed logged in to this forum for the first time and find this discussion very interesting.
There is another way to get involved in Project Management without being certified as a Project Manager, and that is by having extensive credentials in project management OVERSIGHT.
Certified Software Quality Analysts (through the Quality Assurance Institute) and Certified Software Quality Engineers (through the American Society for Quality Software Section), and others with similar certifications (or the experience to match) work directly on project management issues, but from an outsider's perspective.
As a CQA, CSQE, or similar professional, Anne could provide the independent quality assurance that often makes the difference between a successful project and failed project. Over time, she could, if she wanted, cross over to the project management role.
My colleagues and I have been performing IT quality management for over two decades, and have often gotten directly involved in project planning, project tracking and oversight, and all of the other CMM Level 2 KPAs related to project management. I cannot speak for others, but I have personally found this to be a very rewarding role to play. Saving Changes...
The recognition of the PMP credential has grown by leaps and bounds in the past 2 years.
The PMP certification has achieved world-wide recognition in the past 2 or 3 years. More and more employers are seeking candidates with at least proven knowledge of PMI methodology and, usually, having (or in the process of obtaining) the PMP credential, itself. The clients of freelance consultants, particularly in the IT, Pharmaceutical, Government and Construction sectors are particularly looking for PMPs, often filtering out those who do not have the credential.
My own management consulting firm is making a major effort to get our associates (at the manager level and up) certified. We have a global practice, with thousands of consultants around the globe. The push for certification is throughout the firm, at all offices around the globe.
A large number of organizations use Microsoft Project (2003 or 2007) to schedule projects and manage resources. Microsoft's EPM (enterprise project management) solution, which is the PM solution based on MS Project and MS Project Server, is aligned with PMBOK 2004. My own firm does client engagements involving bringing new client users of Project Server / EPM up to speed on PMI methodology, including EVM (earned value management), risk management and project planning. Project management is more than just creating Gantt charts and changing them every time the project schedule slips or the cost run over.
Project management has become a profession. It's no longer a case of someone who is good at his job suddenly beiing promoted to a "project manager" title and becoming the "boss" of his former peers, with little or no knowledge about management, let alone project management. Project management has protocols, methodologies and professional practices based on experience, consensus and scholarly research (submitted to strict, empirical scrutiny). There's a big difference between being a general manager and being a project manager. Project management is a whole different specialty and PMP is the professional credential for the profession. Saving Changes...
Andree Emsley PMPIT Project Manager| Coventry Health CareAvondale, Az, United States
Say what you want about the PMP certification. I have both experience and the PMP but when I got my certification, I also got a job making $13k more than I was currently making. Saving Changes...
