Experiences with switching from technical to more management focused

zxbane

Hey all,

I am currently working as an IT Specialist (Specifically with IA/Cyber Security) for the DoD and have been working for the DoD for over 7 years in the IA field either as active duty, contractor and now a civil service position. I'm making this thread because I currently have the opportunity to switch from this competency to more of a Project/Program Management competency.


As much as I enjoy the technical side of things and IA/Cyber Security I also know that in terms of upward mobility and long term career prospects the opportunities are much brighter as a Project Manager and then hopefully moving up from there into higher levels of program and overall management.

I am curious if anyone else has experience with this kind of transition themselves. I feel like my technical background helps me as a PM and I am better able to understand requirements and goals. I also feel like despite not doing the technical work yourself you still get to be involved since you interface with various technical SME's throughout projects etc. As I mentioned in terms of long term career prospects I think there is more growth for salary and position on the project/program management side.

Anyone have any experience or thoughts on this?

TheFORCE

zxbane wrote: »

Hey all,

I am curious if anyone else has experience with this kind of transition themselves. I feel like my technical background helps me as a PM and I am better able to understand requirements and goals. I also feel like despite not doing the technical work yourself you still get to be involved since you interface with various technical SME's throughout projects etc. As I mentioned in terms of long term career prospects I think there is more growth for salary and position on the project/program management side.

Anyone have any experience or thoughts on this?

Been doing this for the past 4 months, not as PM but still at a non-technical position. You still get involved in the technical aspects of things, you just do not action it and well, you just request status updates. In the beginning you might find it boring and fulfilling but as times progresses so will you in your new role and will have more things to do.