I'm currently a university student majoring in science of business in information systems. My goal is eventually to become a project manager in an IT field. Preferably either web-based software development or system implementation. I've found a great deal of information regarding the education and certifications recommended for obtaining that position. I am wondering, however, if someone could clue me into how one would transition, through however many steps and/or positions, from an entry level position with a technical company into managing IT projects. After all, not only is there no substitute for experience, a number of years of experience is often written into job requirements. I am faced with a chicken-and-the-egg scenario. Saving Changes...
George JucanManaging Partner| Organizational Perfomance Enablers NetworkWoodbridge, Ontario, Canada
Hi Marvin,
I would suggest to take a look at my 4 articles series Defining Roles for IT Governance that presents an overview of various project management positions and their relationships. Some entry positions you can focus on are described in Part 2 and in Part 4. Ypu can easily start as a project controller, project assistant or so, and build from there toward having entrusted more and more responsibility to you as you prove your worth.
As you said that you’re majoring in the science of business in IS, there is another path available to you: start as a business analyst (might need some training on top of the university curriculum). In few years you gain enough seniority to be involved in the decision making process, especially if you are also taking specialized PM courses. Many BA skills are directly transferable to PMs (especially regarding stakeholder and team interaction), and if you can show that you’re also trained in the specific PM tools and techniques you should easily land a junior PM role, and again build from there.
Senior Advisor to the CEO| PMISterling, Va, United States
Hi Marvin,
A wise boss (that I had about 20 years ago) once told me, "if you want a job, start doing it well - in addition to yours, and eventually you'll get it." I think that's true in general, but in your case I'd focus on the basics for a little while first. Do some great things on your own and establish some credibility - then press on to greater things.
PMI has a career framework that might be helpful to look at, but it will only address the PM aspects of your "management push". As I mentioned earlier, I'd focus on getting some basic business and technical skills for a time. This is harder than it looks when you're fresh out of school. Then as you gain more experience, jump on opportunities to lead on tasks that involve more than just your efforts. Acting as a team lead will impress the people that supervise you by showing that you care about and can "own" results beyond what you can produce alone. Then just keep successfully pressing beyond the scope of your job into areas that are important to the people you report to AND to the business as a whole. Remember that its a marathon and not a sprint. The important thing is to be really good at what you're doing at each step along the way. If you lose sight of that, failure is often right around the corner.
Thank you for your responses. Your articles in particular should prove to be pretty useful, Mr.Jucan. Saving Changes...
Robert PennSr. Project ManagerAlexandria, Va, United States
One way to demonstrate capability in project management is through volunteering at an organization that needs web-based software development or help implementing software. Many non-profit organizations are in desperate need of people with technical and coordination skills, and if you help them plan, coordinate, and manage projects, you gain experience for your resume as well as practice getting things done when you don't have organizational authority (an important skill for any project manager). Saving Changes...
Melissa LipinskiSoftware Developer/AnalystTannum Sands, Australia
I asked my manager to consider me for managing projects. I have been working in software development for over ten years, and I recently completed a Diploma of Project Management. I am now managing a large software implementation. I have gained alot of experience learning on the job. In most of my jobs, I have managed small projects and been part of project teams. There are always opportunities to be involved in projects if you let people know you are interested. I would like to become an IT project manager full-time when an opportunity becomes available, well that's the plan :-)
Melissa Saving Changes...
Anonymous
As you read what has been posted, all of it good advice, consider what has just happened. You are getting input from those in this forum who have been there and done that. However, this is just reading and head knowledge. Find the best IT project manager in your organization and ask them to provide some mentoring on your efforts. Spend some time with them to find out why they do what they do. If that person is very busy, offer to help them with some PM admin tasks, so that they have time to help you. You'll learn far more quickly that way... because there is as much art as there is science. Saving Changes...
Dirk KittredgeProject Manager| Marex GroupCentennial, Co, United States
An interesting option to learn some of the leadership skills is Toastmasters International. Toastmasters, originally designed to only improve communication skills, has an entire program designed to teach the members how to be an effective leader. It's an inexpensive program with well thought-out materials that can give you hands-on opportunities for leading others and getting some experience under your belt. I've been involved for 15 years and it's one of the best moves I've ever made. Saving Changes...
Good advice all around. I particularly like Dave Garrett's post - if you demonstrate competence and interest you'll eventually get a chance. You should always be working towards those opportunities and be vigilant about seeing them when they arrive. In terms of finding them, smaller companies often have environments where you wear multiple hats, one of them being PM. You may find an easier time learning and also getting a chance at PM work in a small company rather than a larger one where the work is allocated more formally. Saving Changes...
You should try and get into a analyst position first, not a developer position. Business analyst would be the way to start, you can work on projects this way and document requirements and learn on the go. Eventually if you do well you will be rewarded with opportunities to manage small projects. If you continue to succeed you will be given larger projects and the formal title. This is actually what happened in my case. Saving Changes...
Owen WernerIT Service Manager| Vector LimitedAuckland, New Zealand
A lot of good posts, however I would add that you need to ensure that project management is where you want to go before you invest in additional certifications. If possible get a position as a project administrator/co-ordinator. This will give you a lot of exposure to PM as well as give you the chance to learn from different PM's as mentors. In addition it will expose the non glamorous side of Project management (minute taking and documentation). Once you get the experience you can then start to manage small projects and work up to becoming a fully fledged PM. Saving Changes...
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