Many people who consider getting into the project management profession are also considering other options, such as earning a degree, perhaps in project management. There are also certificate programs where students earn a certificate in project management. The options for programs like this are many. Earning a certificate could include going to school full time, night school, or various online courses. Another option is simply to take some kind of training in the classroom, or online, or maybe in independent study groups, or some combination of those, and earn a certification like the PMP certification.
Things to Consider
Having earned some notable degrees – a BS from
- Are you looking to get a foot in the door, or are you looking to build a solid background from which you can move in multiple directions? This is a good question to think about. If your primary objective is to get your foot in the door, simply going for the certification may be your best root. However, what you need to consider is what your potential is in the new position. There is no sense going for the project management professional certification if you do not believe that you have a solid basis in terms of personality, talent, and experience that might make you valuable as a project manager. Someone who has been working in engineering and construction for example, may benefit from earning the PMP because it rounds them out in the areas where they have less knowledge. They can leverage their prior experience and truly become more valuable. In other situations, this may not be so true and that is what professionals need to think about.
- How quickly do you need to get there? For many people this is a long-term decision. It is something that can significantly change the course of their careers, and they maybe early in their career. It is good to try to imagine what you would like to have behind you in the future should you decide to make changes, and what would be serve you under those circumstances. That is a pretty forward way of looking at things, and it is something that often younger professionals will do. If that is the case, the more pure university type of education might be the better way to go. However, if you are a more seasoned professional and have established yourself in a particular industry, and with a particular knowledge base, the degree for university education or even certificate maybe of limited value. What you need is the certification.
- What kind of experience do I want? If you simply ask yourself this question, it will at least help to clarify your thinking, but consider this – If you go to school fulltime or very significantly, part time, you will truly have a student-oriented experience. If you go for a certification, you will receive more “training” than education, and this may, or may not be exactly what you are looking for. You need to consider whether you want to spend the time ahead with students, young professionals, or seasoned professionals. If you are going for a certification, in all likelihood, you will at least gain access to a group of people that can become part of your network, which are currently working in that profession, or at least seriously aspiring to. If you go the more degree education root you will be a step or two removed for that, and your colleges will tend to be more student centric than working professionals centric.
Deciding at a crossroad is certainly a personal decision, and many personal factors come into play. Therefore, there is no one right answer, and certainly no right/wrong answer. The above are just a few more things to consider in that perspective. In the end, what is most important is to keep moving forward, and make the best decision that you can. To not decide is to decide.
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John Reiling, PMP
Project Management Training Online
Lean Six Sigma Training Online
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