Breaking Into Project Management?

Interested in breaking into the field of project management? According to oDesk, the number of PM jobs posted online more than doubled between January 2009 and January 2010. ProjectTimes predicts that 2010 will continue to provide opportunities for project managers: “Enterprises will be in search of PMs that have a broad range of technology and process improvement experience. They’ll look especially for PMs with knowledge in tuning and making legacy technology perform to its highest ability for customer satisfaction.”

The topic, ‘How to get into the project management field?’ recently garnered a large amount of interest within the Project Manager Networking Group on LinkedIn. We wanted to share some of the insights provided by the group members themselves: true professionals immersed in the daily ins-and-outs of the project management world.

Think of hiring a project manager like hiring a heart surgeon – it isn’t about the degrees or where the surgeon went to school. What you really want to know is how many successful surgeries did they do! While the education factor is a great thing – get out and do projects. Use what you have learned and do it – in any way you can. While education matters – experience and success matters more.

I am using Linkedin as my networking resource to find opportunities. You are definitely spot on, you do need the experience but a Masters Degree will help as well.

1. Look at getting into a PM master or certificate program. I know some PM certificate programs are offered part time at night or online. This will take a bit of time though.

2. Get involved with the Project Management Institute (PMI.org) and your local PMI chapter. They can be a valuable resource for advice as well as educational courses and PMP exam prep course.

3. Develop a plan on how you will be able to write your PMP exam for certification. It seems that most employers are starting to require this certification.

4. Look into volunteering or a junior project management positions. [If you are] new in the PM field, you’ll probably need to be mentored or start off with small projects.

5. Start networking with fellow project managers and the business community. This will help you get your name and face out there.

I believe obtaining technical skills in the area which you are targeting to get into project management will be crucial too. If you have enough experience in those skills, you can plan to move into project management and that would work well for you.  Certifications may help to give you the start but real project management experience cannot be replaced with certifications.

1. Find a PM mentor – it could be someone you work with. I’ve found people who have a lot of experience are more than happy to share their knowledge with someone willing to learn/listen.

2. Get involved in the PM community. PMI has chapters all over the world which provide the opportunity to network with people in your same position up to senior PM professionals.

* As we’ve seen with the success of social networking tools such as LinkedIn – it’s who you know.

3. Get certified. Even if you don’t have the experience to take the PMP, you may be qualified to take the CAPM – Certified Associate of Project Management. Check PMI’s website for more info on this certification.

One way is to become a Business Analyst (BA) first. This role is key to the PM and in many cases, the PM does the work of the BA as well, so having this experience can get you closer to a PM position.

Run a charity project from start to end – don’t just volunteer for short time – learn how to recruit volunteers and convey the message so they do what you need them to do. Half the time, PMing is getting people to do what you want them to do.

I completed my MBA in Project Management and could not find a position in the field either. I accepted a consulting position which allowed me to reconstruct our CRM and Marketing programs. I also started a company with friends from diverse backgrounds. It is proving to be a learning experience in both the Program Management and IT fields, as well as rewarding.