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Project Manger job?

mismajor

Hello,

I am pursuing a MIS bachelor's degree. I would eventually want to work as a project manager one day. What is the career path that will lead me to that? What entry level jobs will lead me to that position? And what certificates should I get? I am a senior MIS student.

Thanks.

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Comments

Codyy

Look into the PMP cert, CompTIA's Project+ may be a little easier to start with.. I know very little about project management but I imagine it's similar to Infosec in a way that it's hard to secure a network when you don't even know how a network operates. I see project management as it's hard to manage a project if you've never done the grunt work and seen what resources different projects require and such.

I could be wrong there, just my assumption. Just don't be that manager that doesn't know anything about anything on the tech side, yet still has all the answers on how things should operate and disregards the opinions of the crew that actually does the technical work ..there are plenty of those already.

Techie19

So this thread and wanted to provide my input. Not knocking anybody just my two cents.

At work we deal with quite a few Project managers that have no clue of the technical aspects of the operation. They are so concerned with timelines, very unrealistic timelines. They don't care about the reasons why certain things aren't complete by said date. They just expect it to be done. If they actually took the time to understand what goes on in the field or listen to the feedback of the techs and field engineers, they would be so much better and overall would be better for the project itself and all parties involved.

Hatch1921

I am headed in the same direction you are when it comes to wanting to be a PM. I've only been in IT for a year now and after speaking with a number of project managers, many of them in my company do not have technical backgrounds. I was a little shocked to learn this... again.. this might be isolated to my company. My goal is to work in the tech side of things for at least another year to gain a better understanding of our network and our business practices. I believe this will be a tremendous help when I do make the move to the PM side of things.

Have you researched what it takes to meet the PM certification requirements? Project Management Professional Certification | PMP

Prerequisites

Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or the global equivalent)
7,500 hours leading and directing projects
35 hours of project management education

Four-year degree
4,500 hours leading and directing projects
35 hours of project management education

Depending on your background... do you qualify?

There is the CAPM you could pursue if you do not have the previous PM hours...

Prerequisites

Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or the global equivalent)
1,500 hours of project experience

23 hours of project management education completed by the time you sit for the exam

It's really going to be a personal decision to what you are interested in on the tech side of things... IMO. There are so many positions/oppertunities career wise, it's going to be up to you to pursue your passion.

I would say... once you have a tech job, network with others in your company, volunteer to help with projects and show an interest in the PM side of things. Work to gain as much knowledge on the tech side of things as you can prior to making the move to being a PM. I agree with Techie19, his comments align with what I have experienced at my work.

Hope some of this helps and best of luck with everything.
Hatch

LeBroke

Techie19 wrote: »

At work we deal with quite a few Project managers that have no clue of the technical aspects of the operation. They are so concerned with timelines, very unrealistic timelines. They don't care about the reasons why certain things aren't complete by said date. They just expect it to be done. If they actually took the time to understand what goes on in the field or listen to the feedback of the techs and field engineers, they would be so much better and overall would be better for the project itself and all parties involved.

Project Manager (n) - a person that thinks 9 women can deliver a baby in one month.

paul78

LeBroke wrote: »

Project Manager (n) - a person that thinks 9 women can deliver a baby in one month.

ROFLOL - I couldn't help finding it funny. I really want to respect the notion that project managers can add value to technology projects. And in many cases, a good project manager can be invaluable. But lately, the quality of project management where I work has fallen where project managers are no more than professional backseat drivers and glorified meeting assistants.

chmod

The quality of project manager and also how useful is to have one is up to the company culture. In companies with bad/not clear/not mature project management culture the PM end up been like a supervisor or as paul said, a glorified meeting assistant.

Company structure and culture is key to have allow a Project manager to add value to the company.

PM is like the new cloud, everybody think the cloud is a cool thing but they don't even know what is the cloud, the managers only thinks it is a cool stuff and the latest trend in technology so they want to have cloud, whatever it is but they want to have it because is the key to the wonderland.

Same thing with PMs, companies want to have PMs but they don't have the culture to adapt their operations to become a "projectized organization"

chickenlicken09

how about the prince2 cert?