Project Management Career Paths

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Student Version

Copyright © 2011 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

McGraw-Hill/Irwin

18–2

Where We Are NowWhere We Are NowWhere We Are NowWhere We Are Now

18–3

Project Management Career IssuesProject Management Career Issues

Career PathsTemporary

AssignmentsPursuing a Career

Professional Training and Certification

Gaining Visibility

MentorsSuccess in

Key Projects

18–4

Career PathsCareer PathsCareer PathsCareer Paths

• There is no set career path for becoming a project manager.

• Advancement generally occurs incrementally.

• Project management responsibilities expand as you move up the organization’s hierarchy.

18–5

Temporary AssignmentsTemporary AssignmentsTemporary AssignmentsTemporary Assignments

• Project management assignments tend to be temporary.

• Permanent job tenure is rarely granted to project managers.

• A promising career can be derailed by one unsuccessful project.

18–6

Pursuing a CareerPursuing a CareerPursuing a CareerPursuing a Career

• Find out what specific project job opportunities exist in your company. –Talk to people in project management positions

and find out how they got to where they are and what advice they can give you.

• Share your aspirations with your immediate superior or someone who can champion you ambitions, make training available, or assign you to PM work.

18–7

Professional Training and CertificationProfessional Training and CertificationProfessional Training and CertificationProfessional Training and Certification

• Training Resources:–On-the-job training–In-house training programs–Professional workshops–University degree programs–Professional organization membership

18–8

PMI Certification RequirementsPMI Certification RequirementsPMI Certification RequirementsPMI Certification Requirements

TABLE 18.1

CAPM PMP

Full Name: Certified Associate in Project Management

Project Management Professional

Project Role: Contributes to project team Leads and directs project teams

Eligibility Requirements:

High school diploma/global equivalent AND 1,500 hours experience OR 23 hours pm education

High school diploma/global equivalent 5 years project management experience 35 hours project management education OR Bachelor’s degree/global equivalent 3 years project management experience 35 hours project management education

Exam Information:

3 hours; 150 multiple-choice questions

4 hours; 200 multiple choice questions

18–9

Gaining VisibilityGaining VisibilityGaining VisibilityGaining Visibility

• Get actively involved in local community opportunities to manage projects.

• Develop contacts by volunteering for task forces and projects that allow access to higher-ups and other departments.

18–10

MentorsMentorsMentorsMentors

• Mentors are typically superiors who take a special interest in you and your career.

• They require loyalty and superior performance.

• Take advantage of formal mentoring programs in which experienced project managers are assigned to promising young managers.

• Attending conferences, trade fairs, and workshops provides good opportunities to “network” and develop social connections that might precipitate project assignments.

18–11

Success in Key ProjectsSuccess in Key ProjectsSuccess in Key ProjectsSuccess in Key Projects

• Pick projects more for the quality of the people working on them than for the scope of the projects.

• Keep a diary of your observations and review and refine lessons learned.

• Avoid run-of-the-mill projects or assignments.

• Seek high-profile projects that have some risks and tangible payoffs.

• Consider moving to a different company or even a different industry that might provide more project management opportunities.

18–12

Key TermsKey TermsKey TermsKey Terms

CAPM

Mentor

PMP