Project management, Career development query

skinny90

Hi All,

I work in an IT Company and I have noticed more and more openings on the project management side of things.

I have chatted to a few who work there and I am really interested in moving towards this.

I would done alot on project management in college (4 years ago) and I have worked and lead smaller projects in my current department but I know for sure it would be tip of the iceberg type of stuff.

Typically work would involve large projects so customising in house solution to customers needs.

Smaller projects would cover typically refining already delivered solutions.


So I am looking getting it down on paper on why I want this career change. What skills I need to brush up on etc

I have resources to be trained and once I get a plan in order my management team will work with me to achieve this but I have bit a blank on really what are the important skills to consider.

I was wondering would any one have any ideas on what I should look into in terms of training and or upskilling


Thanks

runawaybishop

skinny90 wrote: »

Hi All,

I work in an IT Company and I have noticed more and more openings on the project management side of things.

I have chatted to a few who work there and I am really interested in moving towards this.

I would done alot on project management in college (4 years ago) and I have worked and lead smaller projects in my current department but I know for sure it would be tip of the iceberg type of stuff.

Typically work would involve large projects so customising in house solution to customers needs.

Smaller projects would cover typically refining already delivered solutions.


So I am looking getting it down on paper on why I want this career change. What skills I need to brush up on etc

I have resources to be trained and once I get a plan in order my management team will work with me to achieve this but I have bit a blank on really what are the important skills to consider.

I was wondering would any one have any ideas on what I should look into in terms of training and or upskilling


Thanks

Prince2, PMP or else any general PM cert.

site_owner

if its an in house move, you will get miles better answers than the generic responses on here.
i would start by asking anyone who recently got a job about their work experience and skills, and meeting with the PMO manager or Project director (or whatever your internal equivalents are) and see what they hire on.

HR can probably also give you job descriptions and competency lists which should help on getting the list together.

general PM requirements:
certification (find out whatever everyone else is using, they'll usually hire what they trust)
education (degree in related field to project type)
technical experience (more the better, add more if you have a degree from an unrelated field)
Project experience (have you been a good team player on projects, have you managed a project etc)

i generally dont advise people to go an get PM certified unless they are working in a PM role.
the stuff is so abstract and 90% of it is non relevant that it can be overwhelming without and context.
in PMP for example there is a project work hour requirement on top of training hours and then the exam itself.
people try fudge the applications (i project managed my attic extension...) but the certification doesnt give the experience, it proves it.

if i was in your shoes, without knowing your exact specifics. i would be asking for a 1-2 day per week assignment with the project team, maybe a job rotation with someone there who wants to move your direction. get some hands on experience, get to know the team, etc

depending on your education, a masters might add more value long term than the PM cert, as your job might hire you into PM work without it if you have the skills. you can then add PM later