Need a change, badly.

Cingular

Hi Guys.

Been a while since I was last here, a lot has been going on in life lately and once again I find myself in another jam.

I want to become a Project Manager over the next 5 years, I currently work in an IT support role and am 2 months away from taking my CCNA exams.

I've been working in my current position for 3 years this October, and definitely need to move up to a Network Admin/Systems role asap.

I would really appreciate any info you guys have on the right path to becoming a Project Manager.

Thanks' in advance!

Ashenwelt

Here are some tips... YMMV.

1. Look at the requirments for a PMP. You want this cert.
2. Look at ITIL.
3. Try to get some experience running some tasks at work... no matter how minor.
4. Project+.

And... good luck!

Essendon

ITIL is the way to go mate. It's big in the country these days and will be in the forseeable future.

5 years seems like a reasonable time to become a PM, but it all depends on who you know, how well you do your current job, and a fair slice of luck. We have a guy that became a PM after being a server tech, and was a good one too, for about 4 years. Thing is no one's going to make you a PM till you have proven yourself one way or the other.

My advice is you should make a move and try to move up to a desktop support position or a server support position and start working on some certs, specifically ITIL and PMP. If I were an Service Delivery Manager or some hotshot who made the hiring decisions, I would tend to make a senior guy a PM, not someone from the Service Desk. It might hurt, but that's reality.

Cingular

Great replies. Thanks' for the info.

I desperately want to move up from my position at the moment, so I will be sprucing up my resume this week and commence job hunting as soon as it's done.

With my CCNA just around the corner, I'm hoping to land something like junior Network Admin...just something that requires a bit more skill.

I'll definitely look into ITIL and PMP.

Cheers!