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How do I go about being a project manager?
I am currently a project coordinator with a bachelor's in IT and in the process of getting an MBA. Do I still nee to take the PMP? What else should I be doing?
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6 answers
Updated
Denise’s Answer
Hi Mia,
I've been in digital project management for a good part of my career, so happy to help here. I didn't start out as a project manager, but evolved into it.
Becoming a project manager typically involves a combination of education, experience, and sometimes certification. Here’s a general pathway to becoming a project manager:
1. Educational Background: While not always mandatory, having a relevant educational background can be beneficial. Degrees in business, management, engineering, or related fields can provide foundational knowledge useful in project management.
2. Gain Experience: Start by gaining experience in roles that involve project coordination or management tasks. This can be through roles like project coordinator, team lead, or any position where you handle projects or parts of projects. Such experience helps develop important skills like communication, organization, and leadership.
3. Develop Key Skills: Project managers need strong skills in areas such as communication, time management, problem-solving, leadership, and negotiation. These can be developed through on-the-job experience, workshops, or online courses.
4. Learn Project Management Methodologies: Familiarize yourself with various project management methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, and Lean. Understanding these approaches can be critical depending on the industry or company you work for.
5. Pursue Certification (Optional): While not always required, certifications can enhance your credentials and demonstrate your expertise. The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is one of the most recognized certifications in the field. However, there are others like Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), or certifications specific to certain methodologies like ScrumMaster (CSM).
- PMP Certification: To sit for the PMP exam, you typically need a combination of professional project management experience and education. For example, you might need 3-5 years of experience leading projects and 35 hours of project management education/training or a CAPM certification. The PMP is particularly valuable in industries where formal project management processes are emphasized. Note: I was working as a project manager for over 10 years before I decided to sit for this certification.
6. Network and Continue Learning: Join professional organizations such as the Project Management Institute (PMI) to network with other professionals, attend conferences, and stay updated on industry trends. Continuous learning and development are crucial in a field that evolves with new technologies and methodologies.
7. Seek Opportunities for Advancement: As you gain experience, look for opportunities to take on larger projects or more responsibility. Building a track record of successful project delivery can help you advance to higher-level project management roles.
Whether or not you pursue a PMP certification depends on your career goals, the industry you’re in, and employer requirements. In some industries, especially in IT or construction, a PMP is highly valued and sometimes required. In others, practical experience and skills may weigh more heavily. Assess your specific situation and career goals to decide if pursuing certification aligns with your professional objectives.
Best of luck to you in your education and future career!
I've been in digital project management for a good part of my career, so happy to help here. I didn't start out as a project manager, but evolved into it.
Becoming a project manager typically involves a combination of education, experience, and sometimes certification. Here’s a general pathway to becoming a project manager:
1. Educational Background: While not always mandatory, having a relevant educational background can be beneficial. Degrees in business, management, engineering, or related fields can provide foundational knowledge useful in project management.
2. Gain Experience: Start by gaining experience in roles that involve project coordination or management tasks. This can be through roles like project coordinator, team lead, or any position where you handle projects or parts of projects. Such experience helps develop important skills like communication, organization, and leadership.
3. Develop Key Skills: Project managers need strong skills in areas such as communication, time management, problem-solving, leadership, and negotiation. These can be developed through on-the-job experience, workshops, or online courses.
4. Learn Project Management Methodologies: Familiarize yourself with various project management methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, and Lean. Understanding these approaches can be critical depending on the industry or company you work for.
5. Pursue Certification (Optional): While not always required, certifications can enhance your credentials and demonstrate your expertise. The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is one of the most recognized certifications in the field. However, there are others like Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), or certifications specific to certain methodologies like ScrumMaster (CSM).
- PMP Certification: To sit for the PMP exam, you typically need a combination of professional project management experience and education. For example, you might need 3-5 years of experience leading projects and 35 hours of project management education/training or a CAPM certification. The PMP is particularly valuable in industries where formal project management processes are emphasized. Note: I was working as a project manager for over 10 years before I decided to sit for this certification.
6. Network and Continue Learning: Join professional organizations such as the Project Management Institute (PMI) to network with other professionals, attend conferences, and stay updated on industry trends. Continuous learning and development are crucial in a field that evolves with new technologies and methodologies.
7. Seek Opportunities for Advancement: As you gain experience, look for opportunities to take on larger projects or more responsibility. Building a track record of successful project delivery can help you advance to higher-level project management roles.
Whether or not you pursue a PMP certification depends on your career goals, the industry you’re in, and employer requirements. In some industries, especially in IT or construction, a PMP is highly valued and sometimes required. In others, practical experience and skills may weigh more heavily. Assess your specific situation and career goals to decide if pursuing certification aligns with your professional objectives.
Best of luck to you in your education and future career!
Updated
Irma’s Answer
In addition to the answers provided, I'll confirm that being PMP certified will be good to have; it is a well-known certification that employers look for so, it is worth the effort and investment to get it. Prepare for it, study, do exam rehearsals (there are tools that can simulate the exams for practice) and when you feel ready, go for it. Good luck and enjoy the ride.
Updated
Irem’s Answer
Hi Mia,
I think your bachelor's in IT, MBA and current role in project coordination are already setting you up on a great path. So for now, I would not look into certifications if I were you.
These qualifications also require some years of experience, and there are many project management roles which do not require certifications.
As you gain more experience, your projects will get larger, and you will be able to manage more. So for now:
1. Focus on your MBA
2. Gain experience: you can also look at volunteering and remote jobs if you have time or are able to, which will expose you to different projects.
3. Develop your soft skills: Such as communication, time management, problem-solving.
4. Stay up to date with different Project Managements methods such as Agile, Scrum, Waterfall etc and learn about which industries use which method and why. You can also explore the short-comings, and where people have challenges to get a deeper understanding of the industry.
Remember - if a company requires a certification, they may also be able to pay for it for you.
Hope this helps!
I think your bachelor's in IT, MBA and current role in project coordination are already setting you up on a great path. So for now, I would not look into certifications if I were you.
These qualifications also require some years of experience, and there are many project management roles which do not require certifications.
As you gain more experience, your projects will get larger, and you will be able to manage more. So for now:
1. Focus on your MBA
2. Gain experience: you can also look at volunteering and remote jobs if you have time or are able to, which will expose you to different projects.
3. Develop your soft skills: Such as communication, time management, problem-solving.
4. Stay up to date with different Project Managements methods such as Agile, Scrum, Waterfall etc and learn about which industries use which method and why. You can also explore the short-comings, and where people have challenges to get a deeper understanding of the industry.
Remember - if a company requires a certification, they may also be able to pay for it for you.
Hope this helps!
Updated
Nauman Tahir’s Answer
Hello Mia,
Denise and Biplab have provided comprehensive responses to your question. To build on their insights, remember that becoming a project manager and securing a job as one don't always coincide. You might be well-versed in project management methodologies, but recruiters often look for specific keywords in your resume. As you pursue your MBA and work towards your PMP, take the time to familiarize yourself with the prerequisites of a project manager in your industry. If you're targeting the IT sector, mastering tools like Jira and Asana is essential, among others. You might be proficient in all the necessary tools and tactics, but without tangible proof such as certifications or proven experience, you may face hurdles reaching the interview phase. Given your current role as a project coordinator, your journey might differ slightly. Still, I recommend you continually seek opportunities to enhance your skillset and enrich your resume whenever possible.
Wishing you the very best on your journey!
Denise and Biplab have provided comprehensive responses to your question. To build on their insights, remember that becoming a project manager and securing a job as one don't always coincide. You might be well-versed in project management methodologies, but recruiters often look for specific keywords in your resume. As you pursue your MBA and work towards your PMP, take the time to familiarize yourself with the prerequisites of a project manager in your industry. If you're targeting the IT sector, mastering tools like Jira and Asana is essential, among others. You might be proficient in all the necessary tools and tactics, but without tangible proof such as certifications or proven experience, you may face hurdles reaching the interview phase. Given your current role as a project coordinator, your journey might differ slightly. Still, I recommend you continually seek opportunities to enhance your skillset and enrich your resume whenever possible.
Wishing you the very best on your journey!
Updated
Biplab’s Answer
Hi Mia!
Denise already added a lot of great advice, so I'll keep my additions brief:
* PMP is not necessary, but extremely helpful - I'd get at least a few years of project management experience on the ground as it will make it more likely that you will be able to pass the exam.
* The most important advice I can give is to get boots-on-the-ground experience DOING project management and learn the aspects of managing a team: setting expectations, scope control, budget control, timeline management, executive level communication, and may other skills.
Good luck!
Denise already added a lot of great advice, so I'll keep my additions brief:
* PMP is not necessary, but extremely helpful - I'd get at least a few years of project management experience on the ground as it will make it more likely that you will be able to pass the exam.
* The most important advice I can give is to get boots-on-the-ground experience DOING project management and learn the aspects of managing a team: setting expectations, scope control, budget control, timeline management, executive level communication, and may other skills.
Good luck!
Updated
Kori’s Answer
Securing a PMP certification and participating in as many training sessions as you can around various project management styles is highly recommended. Each company tends to employ diverse project management techniques, often integrating their unique "style" that borrows elements from recognized methods. The more you comprehend these varying project management styles, the more versatile you become. This versatility not only enhances your adaptability but also boosts your appeal to a wide range of companies and industries. Once you've mastered project management, you'll be equipped to manage projects in any industry.
Moreover, it's beneficial to gain as much experience as possible in managing projects, even the smaller ones. Acquiring skills to deal with various types of people, personalities, and styles is crucial for leading a successful project.
Moreover, it's beneficial to gain as much experience as possible in managing projects, even the smaller ones. Acquiring skills to deal with various types of people, personalities, and styles is crucial for leading a successful project.