Project Management Courses

Glen_Quagmire

Hi there,

Looking for advice on a project management course please.

I'm an electrician by trade with a degree in electrical engineering and now working as a project manager. I am looking to complete PM course this year and researching best options.

Would I be better off doing the PMP course or would it be more beneficial to do a postgraduate diploma in a reputable university or college?

Also, anyone have any experience with both PMP and diploma courses and the cost of each?

Cheers

whatnext

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Hi there,

Looking for advice on a project management course please.

I'm an electrician by trade with a degree in electrical engineering and now working as a project manager. I am looking to complete PM course this year and researching best options.

Would I be better off doing the PMP course or would it be more beneficial to do a postgraduate diploma in a reputable university or college?

Also, anyone have any experience with both PMP and diploma courses and the cost of each?

Cheers

It really depends on where you want to go with your career. Have a chat with Engineers Ireland for a bit of guidance and perhaps a few of the course leaders in the Universities and see where their course takes their graduates.

I'm a recruiter and different clients and sectors rate things differently. It would do no harm to chat to an experienced recruiter either. One with 10 plus years experience in your sector.

Glen_Quagmire

whatnext wrote:

It really depends on where you want to go with your career. Have a chat with Engineers Ireland for a bit of guidance and perhaps a few of the course leaders in the Universities and see where their course takes their graduates.

whatnext wrote:

I'm a recruiter and different clients and sectors rate things differently. It would do no harm to chat to an experienced recruiter either. One with 10 plus years experience in your sector.

Thanks.

Tom Dunne

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

Would I be better off doing the PMP course or would it be more beneficial to do a postgraduate diploma in a reputable university or college?

A quick glance over a few PM jobs shows that employers typically look for the likes of PMP/PRINCE2, rather than post-grad diplomas and the like.

So if I was in your shoes, I'd go that route. It would probably be quicker too.

Glen_Quagmire

Tom Dunne wrote:

A quick glance over a few PM jobs shows that employers typically look for the likes of PMP/PRINCE2, rather than post-grad diplomas and the like.

Tom Dunne wrote:

So if I was in your shoes, I'd go that route. It would probably be quicker too.

Yeah from what I've been reading I would agree with you. I think I will look at the PMP option

sozbox

Has the same issue myself recently. For me it came down to a few things, which is quicker, which is more valuable and which is more expensive. Are you getting support from your employer to pay for something?

I did a diploma which cost around 4k, employer was thankfully paying, and i'm booked in to take the PMP exam in a month, the diploma provided the necessary PDUs to take the exam but you can also get them form a stand alone course which costs a lot less.

Diploma + PMP exam cost around 4,300 wish and took 9 months whereas a standalone course and PMP exam would cost around 1200 ish depending on what course you take, could be less and takes around 3 months.

In terms of value, if I was paying myself I would have done the stand alone course and PMP exam only, it's the one I see most on job specs in my area (IT)

Glen_Quagmire

I am going to ask my employer to pay for the course (or part thereof) so I am looking for the best course what would benefit me best in my current PM role and future career. I am living in Dublin so plenty of courses on offer from reputable universities and colleges

sozbox

Glen_Quagmire wrote: »

I am going to ask my employer to pay for the course (or part thereof) so I am looking for the best course what would benefit me best in my current PM role and future career. I am living in Dublin so plenty of courses on offer from reputable universities and colleges

If your employer is paying then I'd do the diploma, and possibly the PMP exam as part of it. The PMP will need to be renewed every 3 years wheres the diploma is forever so in that sense I think it's worthwhile.